Page 25 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

“Uh.” Julien looked over to Tyler, who was suddenly on high alert. “Two weeks,” Julien said, just as Tyler said, “A month.”

Hailey turned around in her seat to look at them directly. “Well, which is it?”

“Well, umm…we went on a date a month ago,” Tyler said carefully. “But we made it official about two weeks ago?” He did not sound at all convincing.

Julien reached over and laced their fingers together for selling value. “Yep. He played hard to get.”

Tyler gave him a smile. Julien could practically see the relief on his face. He wished the satisfaction he felt could be chalked up to doing an excellent job for the money, but he was glad Tyler didn’t seem stressed anymore. There was no reason for him to be.

“Yeah. You know how I am,” Tyler mumbled.

“Ugh. Yeah. I do. Do you know he’sneverhad a boyfriend before? I mean,neverrr. Ty didn’t even date girls before coming out.” Hailey faced the front again. “There was this one guy from the country club, but I think Tyler dumped him after, like, three days?”

Julien remembered Cam saying something along those lines, but to hear it reinforced made Julien feel a little guilty. Tyler was a good guy, high-strung, maybe, but good overall. Before Jules could think better of it, he said, “I don’t know why. Tyler’s great and deserves someone who knows it.” What he deserved was an actual boyfriend.

But Julien also needed that money, so he didn’t feel that guilty.

“I have really high standards. Alright?” Tyler said quickly. His ears turned pink, something Julien noticed they did a lot. The color washed over his cheekbones and the bridge of his nose.

“Do you?” Julien was actually curious. From what he had gathered, Tyler had high standards about most things, but he didn’t know his type regarding men. He hada distinct feeling it wasn’t mechanics who looming debts. But a guy could fantasize sometimes.

It shouldn’t have made him feel disappointed or inadequate, but it did. Tyler wouldn’t have looked twice at Julien if he had other options, and that fact left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

“Doeshe?” Hailey all but shrieked from the front seat. “He’s always had this idea that he would find this perfect guy. Like a prince or something.”

“Alright, easy, Hail. That’s enough.” Tyler pulled his hand out of Julien’s grasp and smacked the back of Hailey’s seat.

“Well, how about that, Jules,” Walter said. “You must be as good as a prince.”

Julien’s jaw clenched just a little. “I’d say I’m more of a beast than a prince.” He could pretend to be some preppy car dealer all he wanted, but at the end of the day, he didn’t even come close to being a prince. His tattered thrift store jacket was proof of that, even if Wally had complimented it effusively that morning when he put it on. Not that he cared. Ten more days, he’d have his money and never have to think about this or Tyler and his pretty little blush again.

Tyler nudged him. “But the beast was always a prince on the inside.”

Julien relaxed at the touch, glad that whatever awkward tension there had been started to disperse.

“Yeah, and Belle had no idea he would turn hot. She was ready to bone a hairy beast,” Hailey said. “Beast or not, it was a win-win for him.”

“Jesus.” Tyler covered his face, which was now the reddest Julien had seen. “I don’t want to think about that, Hailey.”

Julien reached over and pulled Tyler’s hand away from his face. “I thought you liked a beast in the bedroom, Baby.”

The glare that comment earned Jules held no heat. Tyler bit his bottom lip, then shook his head, almost like he wanted to say something but thought better.

The rest of the drive was quiet, except for the croon of Christmas music from the speakers and Hailey humming along.

They pulled into the large parking lot of the Christmas market and rode around, trying to find a spot in the chaos. Once they found one far enough that Walterdidn’t worry he’d get his car dinged and sufficiently close that Hailey didn’t feel like she had to walk a mile in her high-heeled boots, they all piled out of the vehicle.

“Cece said they’re parked already.” Hailey linked arms with Wally as they strode toward the center of the market.

The market began at the edge of town, with tents and stalls selling anything from hot chocolate and roasted nuts to beach glass ornaments and handmade soaps. At the far end of the market, there was a vast Christmas tree farm.

Big red pickup trucks drove back and forth, delivering hand-picked trees to customers’ cars, and groups of well-dressed carolers stood on the corner to serenade those who walked into the main area.

They met up with the rest of the family by the entrance, and Hailey immediately let go of Walter to scoop her niece up.

“Sorry,” Tyler mumbled as he stepped behind his sisters and their partners.

“For what?” Julien asked. It made sense for him to reach over and take Tyler’s gloved hand. They were boyfriends,after all, and he found the casual touches were easy and natural.

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