the word trope applies to many different genres.”
“But you knew fake dating is a classic trope. A classic romance trope. How’d you know that?”
“Well, I mean, come on.” His face is getting a little redder. “Anyone who’s interested in literature knows—”
“No they don’t! Oh my gosh, you read romance novels!”
He scratches under his chin and mutters, “Only the good ones.”
It takes every ounce of control I have not to burst out laughing.
“And yes, in case you’re wondering, I kinda like the whole fake dating story. It’s fun.” He’s trying to sound so justified and serious.
Cute!
I swallow my snicker and nod in agreement. It is pretty fun, although I prefer something a little heavier than a lighthearted, flirty romance to help me escape. Brody’s squirming right now, and I should put him out of his misery, tell him it’s totally fine if he loves romance novels. People can read whatever the hell they want, but this big guy beside me?
He’s smashing stereotypes right now, and it’s freaking adorable!
I press a finger over my lips, my stomach trembling with silent laughter as I try to rein it in.
“And please, for the love of God, never tell anyone my reading preferences. Jake would never let me live it down.”
I let out a breathy sound that could be a cough or a laugh and manage to ask, “Who’s Jake?”
“My twin brother. So just…” He mimes zipping his lips closed.
I watch him for a moment, cautiously amazed by how one conversation can take curiosity and start morphing it into like.
No. Bad idea.
I don’t like him.
He’s just… funny. And he reads romance novels.
That’s nothing to go falling for or whatever.
Sitting up a little straighter, I put my business face back on and nod. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”
He glances at me and nods. “So is yours, Roomie.”
And I’m fighting a smile again. Turning to face the window, I let my lips curl at the edges and try to remind myself again that he’s my bodyguard and nothing more. Sure, we’ll pretend to be roomies and friends, but it won’t be real.
I can’t go liking this guy.
I don’t even know him.
12
Bossy Can’t Make A Bed
I pull beneath the apartment complex and find space 2A. Carefully gliding the car in, I hold my breath until I hit the brake, not understanding why they have to make parking spaces so narrow in the first place.
The interior light comes on as I open the door, and I catch Indigo’s expression. She’s looking just a little nervous as she slips out of the car. Walking around to the back, I pop the trunk and am yet again struck by how small she is beside me. The top of her head only just reaches my shoulder.
It’s cute.
With a little smile, I pull her cases out of the back. She hitches her handbag on her shoulder, and we head for the elevator.
The ride up is a quiet one. Indigo’s chewing on her lip, and I’m scrambling to think of something light and funny to ease the tension, but we’re there before I can utter a word.
The doors ding open and we step onto a small landing. Azim made me look over the plans, so I already know there are two apartments per floor and Indigo’s is on the right.
She uses the keycard to unlock the door and I follow her inside, scanning each room before placing her bags by the master bed and heading back downstairs to get my own.
I’m soon in my new room, reeling at how new everything smells. Never in my life have I stayed somewhere this fancy. The walls are plain white, the fresh paint practically gleaming. Beneath me is a plush midnight blue carpet, and against the back wall is a lush bed. I swear I’ve never felt a mattress that soft before.
Sitting down on the edge, I give a little bounce to test it out, then flop back with a happy sigh. Oh man, Jake’s not gonna believe this. I have absolutely made the right decision.
A frustrated grunt from across the hall makes my head pop up.
“You okay?” I call.
“Yeah, I’m fine!” Indigo sounds a little pissed.
I cringe and wonder what’s got her so worked up. I guess it’s gonna take me some time to figure her out. The car ride gave me a few insights.
Man, I can’t believe what I did.
I certainly gave her some insights about me!
Not only did I agree to basically break protocol—is Azim gonna fire me? Only if he finds