She gasped. “This is nuts, Felicity.”
“But it could be kind of fun, you know?”
“Lying to everyone?”
“Not that part, but—the moving in and the practice kissing and the make-believe at being in love and even the fake planning a wedding. I mean, what if I never do any of that for real?” I asked, growing flustered. “I’m not like you and Winnie. I’ve never had guys knocking down my door. I’ve had like three boyfriends ever, and none of them lasted more than a few months.”
“That’s because you break up with anyone that says ‘I love you.’”
“We’re not talking about the past,” I said quickly.
“You brought it up.”
“What if it never happens for me, Millie? What if it never feels right? Why shouldn’t I get a chance to experience what it’s like?” I’d gotten so worked up that Muffin was spooked—she jumped off my lap and ran away.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry,” Millie said gently. “As long as you’re sure this isn’t going to end badly, I’ll go along with it.”
“You have to.” I begged her with my eyes. “You can’t tell anyone it’s not real. Please. Just let us have this for a month.”
She crossed her heart, locked her lips, and tossed the invisible key over her shoulder. “I won’t say a word. Especially because I think it is real—part of it, anyway.”
“It’s not real.” I sat up taller in my chair and leveled her with a gaze. “It’s pretend and it’s temporary and we’re just having a good time. Now are you coming for dinner? I’m cooking at Hutton’s house—I mean, our house.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. I just hope I remember my lines.”
“All you have to do is say you’re going to help me plan a small wedding at the end of August. That’s it.”
“Doesn’t give those bangs much time to grow out,” she teased.
I glared at her and touched my forehead. “Not funny.”
“It’s actually not as bad as the photo you sent,” she said. “I’m pretty sure you’ve done worse.”
“Thanks.” I paused. “I think.”
When I pulled up at Hutton’s—now home—I wasn’t sure if I should knock or just try the door. I was still standing on the front step debating when he pulled it open. He’d cleaned up after his workout, and his hair was a little damp. “Was it locked?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “But I didn’t just want to come in. I was going to knock.”
“Felicity, you live here now. You don’t have to knock. I’ll get you a key.” He reached for my suitcase and glanced at my car. “Can I help you with bags?”
“This is it,” I said, stepping inside. “I didn’t pack up everything, since this is, you know, short-term.”
He shut the door behind me. “Did you run into anyone at home?”
“Yes. Millie.” I sighed. “And I have to confess something.”
“What?”
“She knows the truth.”
His eyebrows rose. “She does?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. She just knows me really well, and she can smell bullshit a mile away. I couldn’t keep up the act. But don’t worry, she’s going along with it.” I smiled. “And unlike my younger sister Winnie, Millie can totally keep a secret.”
“Does she think we’re crazy?” He started wheeling the suitcase into the back hall.
“Definitely. But she—” I bumped into him, because he’d stopped moving.
To the right was his room. To the left was the room where I’d slept last night.
Behind him, I held my breath, hoping he’d choose right.
He went left. “Is this room okay?”
“Of course.” I followed him into the room. “It’s just . . .”
“What?” He faced me with a concerned expression.
“It’s just, what if someone asks to see the house tonight? My family has never been here before. If they see all my stuff in a separate room, they might wonder.”
He nodded. “You’re right.” He dragged the suitcase past me and across the hall into his bedroom. “Is this better?”
I lingered in the doorway, taking in the king-sized bed on the left, the twin nightstands with matching lamps, the chair in the corner, the sliding glass door leading to a private deck overlooking the woods. I’d been in here this morning, but hadn’t looked at much beyond a sexy, sleeping Hutton tangled up in the sheets. “It’s a beautiful room.”