by getting fake-engaged to this very real wildcat.
Swiftly, I lean down and kiss her on the cheek, then straighten up immediately.
Wide emerald eyes stare up at me, her lips hanging open in a murderously kissable O it hurts not to claim.
“You’re wearing my ring, so I can do that, too,” I say matter-of-factly. “I’m clearly enjoying the new rules as well as you.”
“It’s going to be a long ninety days,” she whines.
“Dear girl, you have no idea,” I say.
13
Don’t Force It (Paige)
Standing in his kitchen, drawing handcuffs on a disposable coffee cup, I watch Ward round the corner. “Paige? Are you ready? It’s time to get going.”
“I’m in here!” I call.
He walks toward me in dark pants and a crisp white shirt with his blazer hanging over his arm. His stance, his shadow, that halo of a beard begging me to imagine what it’d feel like on my skin...
God.
For a flash, I wish this was real.
I hold out the coffee cup, trying not to smile.
He takes it from me. “I thought you negotiated coffee duty away?”
“Yeah, well, old habits die hard.” I pick up my purse and sling it over my shoulder.
“I should’ve known.” He grins when he sees my doodle. “Where’s yours?”
“You don’t have cream, but I don’t think I could keep anything down today.”
“Are you sick?”
“No. It’s just—the whole fake engagement thing. It’s going to be a long day.” My stomach lurches, and I swallow. The last thing I want to do is vomit nerves on my new fiancé.
“Long doesn’t have to mean bad,” he says with a nod.
I jerk my head around and stare at him.
“Um, do you hear yourself?”
“Spare me your 'that’s what she saids,'” he groans with a hint of a smile. “There’ll be no shortage of awkwardness for me too, but we’ll get through it. We’re in this together and there’s no going back.”
“You’re right.” I sigh.
I try not to notice he’s talking to me almost like we’re friends.
“I wish you’d eat something, though. It’s easy to miss meals in the commotion. You might pass out if you don’t,” he says.
“If I think I’m heading for a hanger-fit, I’ll eat.” But I’m a fake fiancée now, not just his assistant. “And you won’t say anything about when I’ve had my fill and want to leave, right?”
“Deal. Now let’s get moving.”
The town car waits at the curb. Ward opens the door and holds it, allowing me to climb in the car first before he slides in beside me.
“And you wanted to fire her!” Reese says.
My eyes trace from the hyperactive woman in the front seat to Ward beside me.
“Reese,” Ward clips.
From his tone, I know we’re talking about the incident at the museum again. I guess tales of my humiliation weren’t limited to Nick and his grandmother. Reese knows too.
Awesomesauce.
“Congratulations, you guys! Nick told me about your engagement,” she says.
Wait, what did Nick tell her? Does she know the truth? Why would she emphasize the word engagement? Oh, crud.
I catch Ward’s eyes, hoping for a hint at what to do.
He surprises me by stretching his arm out, pulling me closer. I’m tucked under his shoulder, inhaling mint and grump.
I bite my lip and stare at my custom Sketchers—Ward still insists heels are a liability, so he picked them out—trying not to blush.
Yes, he’s brutally attractive and I admire the way he’s stepped up since Beatrice’s heart attack. I don’t want this situation getting any more awkward than it already is.
“Nick has a big mouth,” he says.
“Con-grat-ulations,” Reese chirps again, slowing each syllable.
“Thank you,” Ward says grudgingly.
I’m about to say “thanks” too when Reese asks, “Why are you so quiet? It’s because he’s here, isn’t it? Oh, Paige, you never struck me as timid. Kinda adorable.”
“Timid?” Ward scoffs. “Hardly.”
The wheels in my head are turning like they’re stuck.
If the short ride to the office is this bad, how do I get through the day?
“Look on the bright side.” Reese grins and her laughter fills the car. “Maybe you’ll soften up now that you’re getting laid, boss.”
Holy hell.
Heat pumps under my face. If Ward thought I was so red I turned purple yesterday, I must be a full ugly eggplant by now.
His grip around my waist firms. “Reese, don’t talk like that in front of my fiancée.”
“I was just—”
“I know. You’re one of the guys. But Paige isn’t, and she has to work with us, okay?”
Reese stares back in the mirror and nods.
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”
My stomach sinks. He handled it well, but Reese didn’t expect his