Shock - Marie Johnston Page 0,21

friend. But I can’t talk to him about him, and I can’t talk to anyone else because according to the rest of the world, we’re supposed to be dating.

“We’re not dating,” I confess. “We’re pretending because his ex is on a power trip and my mother wants to control my life.”

I swallow hard. Mitch stares at me, his eyes owlish and his Adam’s apple bobbing as he attempts a reply. Finally, he shakes his head and lets out a wry chuckle. “I wondered why it seemed so sudden. You two were buddies and then bam!—you’re dating. It was weird. Not that it doesn’t make sense.” His forehead crinkles. “I mean, if you want it to make sense. I don’t mean that you two don’t work together really well, but I didn’t think you did that together really well.” His face flushes hemoglobin red. “Hell. You know what I mean.”

I don’t. “Yep.”

He bobs his head. “Well, your secret’s safe with me, but I still don’t get what that has to do with you being in your head all day.” His expression turns irritated. “Is he supposed to be fake dating you but he’s seeing other women on the side?”

I could laugh at the way Mitch is ready to defend my fake honor, but the thought of Ford being with other women while we’re pretending to be together makes my stomach roil. We talked about that and I trust him. But part of my brain refuses to listen to reason. “No, we established ground rules. The custody issue is pretty serious.”

“I wish I was rich so I could buy that kid a lawyer. His ex wouldn’t stand a chance in court and she knows it.”

“Agreed.” My parents both know excellent lawyers, ones who owe them favors, but they’ll refuse to help because Ford is an obstacle between me and Samuel. “We went to his stepsister’s wedding.” I have to get this off my chest but my heart’s racing. “And we had to pretend to kiss for the photographer. She wanted to get all the couples in love.”

He cocks a brow. “Unless you turned your back and rubbed noses, it’s kinda hard to pretend to kiss.”

“Exactly.”

“That good, or that bad?”

That good. That fucking good. My face heats and Mitch gives me a knowing nod.

“Ford isn’t the type to be bad at that stuff. And now it’s awkward between you two?”

“I don’t know. Yes? I thought he was avoiding me.”

“He didn’t tell you why he couldn’t work today?”

I lift a shoulder. “I’m not his girlfriend.”

“Do you want to be?”

“No,” I answer before I can think, afraid of what I’d find if I ventured down that path. “It’s Ford.”

“And Ford’s a good guy. We both know that or you wouldn’t be friends with him.”

“He is a good guy. But Cass ruined him. He wants nothing to do with relationships and the last thing I need is a guy who’s tied so close to his ex.”

Understanding lights Mitch’s eyes. “Your ex cheated with his ex. I can see the issue.” He crosses his arms, his gaze boring into the floor. “Maybe you should just ask him if that kiss made it awkward.”

“Maybe.” No way in hell I was bringing that up with Ford. Getting dumped at my house minutes after the incident dented my ego enough.

“I’m serious, Lia. My wife and I used to fight all the time. It’s one of the few things I’ve put my foot down on. One day, I told her I can’t read her mind—I’m oblivious on a good day. If she has an issue with me, she has to tell me. I can’t work on what I don’t know.”

“Makes sense,” I mumble. I told Mitch for a reason. Maybe it was because he has all the experience and therefore his advice is something I should listen to.

“Relationships have vitals. But I went to school for this job. There is no class for relationships. I guess there is, but you know what I mean. Instead of a stethoscope, we have to talk to know how stable we are. Just remember, you two work well together for a reason. Whether it’s work ethic, respect, or chemistry, it doesn’t matter. You’ll work it out.”

Chemistry. I never thought I had chemistry with Ford. I diligently kept myself from thinking about him that way, from appreciating his wide shoulders and powerful thighs. And when we were first paired together, I ignored my insides tingling every time he complimented me. He’s a player. I knew that