Page 31 of Surprisingly Us

My shirt has two large flamingos on it. It’s fucking obnoxious and I love it.

As part of my quest for acceptance by the foundation board, Ramsey went through my clothes and deemed most of them unwearable. I agreed to a temporary makeover, so he banished most of my clothing to the spare bedroom, but I kept this shirt because I like pink and flamingos are cool.

I push my sunglasses into my hair so I can see her better. “It felt like that kind of Sunday.”

Her eyes drop to my left arm again. To the black ink sleeve tattoo that covers my skin. I’d noticed her gaze on it when she first saw me here waiting.

“And this?” Lettie reaches out to grip my forearm. When her fingertips settle on my skin, it sends a jolt of energy through my body. My eyes lift to find her blue orbs wide with surprise.

Did she feel it, too?

She releases my arm and steps back, her free hand nervously teasing into the hair of her ponytail.

“So, what are you doing here?” she asks.

“I thought we’d chat. Catch up a little.”

And I’d ask you to pose as my girlfriend at Jerrod’s dinner party next week.

The bridge of her nose wrinkles. “Isn’t that what we did last night?”

I shrug. “I wanted to see you again. We didn’t get to talk much last night.”

Lettie looks hesitant. “I’ve got a bunch of stuff to do. It’s not the best time.”

“That’s cool. I can hang.”

“It’s really boring. Cleaning and meal prep. Nothing you would want to do.”

I stare down at her face. She doesn’t want me here. I can see it so easily in her features. But Lettie’s my best option for a woman that could impress the board. I’ve got to shoot my shot.

I pin her with a warm smile. “Nothing about you could be boring.”

Her face softens with my sincerity. It’s true, I’m fascinated by Lettie and am curious about her life now. Also, I need to figure out how to approach her about the whole girlfriend thing and I know standing out on the street to ask her isn’t going to work.

“Fine.” She starts climbing the stairs to the front door, so I follow her.

Lettie takes out her keycard to unlock the door but before she can swipe it, a woman on the other side opens the door for us.

“Thanks, Mrs. Donahue.” Lettie holds the door for the woman, offering a hand to her as she slowly walks over the threshold.

The woman, who must be in her eighties, looks me up and down.

“Who are you?” She pushes her dark-framed glasses closer to her eyes as she leans in to inspect my shirt. “My husband Marty had a shirt like that.”

“I’m Rhys,” and because I’m trying things out, “I’m Lettie’s boyfriend.”

Lettie’s mouth drops open, but it’s a few seconds later when she finds the words. “No, Mrs. Donahue, he’s not.”

“Not yet, but I’m working on it.” I toss a wink in Mrs. Donahue’s direction.

“Don’t say that,” Lettie hisses. “It will only encourage her.”

A wide smile spreads on Mrs. Donahue’s face. “Oh, you’re a charmer. I’ve never seen Colette with a young man. This is a wonderful development.” She pats me on the arm as she passes. “Colette, make sure your boyfriend knows he needs to ensure the main door latches when he comes and goes, it sticks sometimes.”

“Noted.” I wave to Mrs. Donahue as she descends the stairs.

When she’s gone, Lettie jabs me in the ribs. “What are you doing? I thought you just said you wanted to catch up. Now, you’re telling my neighbor that you’re myboyfriend?”

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