Page 86 of Surprisingly Us

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s what a guy would do for you. Flowers before every date.”

I can feel my cheeks heating, but his words remind me this is all pretend. Just practice. Like going into the studio to work on a tricky sequence or jump.

Behind me, Isabella clears her throat.

“Isabella, this is Rhys. Rhys, Isabella. She’s a dancer with the company, too.” I motion to Rhys. “You already know who he is.”

“Your reputation precedes you,” Isabella says, extending her hand for a shake.

Rhys smirks, then takes her hand and kisses it. Isabella’s natural glow deepens. When she gets her hand back, she waves it near her face.

“Lettie, your fake boyfriend is making me real swoon.”

Of course, she says it loud enough for Rhys to hear. And his ego only gets bigger. I hope his head will be able to fit through the apartment door by the time Isabella’s done fawning over him.

“Have the best time, you guys!” she calls, blowing me an air kiss as she throws her bag over her shoulder and walks out the door.

With Isabella’s exit, Rhys turns to me again, looking me up and down in my robe before moving over to the rack of dresses.

With his back to me, I’m able to study him.

He is gorgeous in the black designer suit. There’s no argument that his tailored jacket is perfectly cut for his broad shoulders and the slim fit of his pants accentuates his long legs and muscular thighs, but there’s something missing.

He turns to find me staring. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing. Brain is completely empty over here.”

“You can’t lie to me. It’s written all over your face.”

I’m not sure how he reads me so well. I make a mental note to practice my poker face.

I shrug. “Your suit. You look devastatingly handsome, but honestly, I like your old clothing better. Purple suits and flamingo shirts. Oh, and I thought the picture of you online in pinstripe pants and a patchwork button-down has to be one of my favorites.”

“We already established that suit was periwinkle. And you’ve been checking me out online?”

My lips twitch. “I don’t even have to search. You’re everywhere and the headlines write themselves.”

His gaze drops to his black suit. “Jerrod and my grandfather are subdued men. The goal is to fit in tonight.”

I get it. I just wish he didn’t have to change himself to fit in.

He pulls a red dress with a ruffled one-shoulder neckline from the rack.

“I like this one.”

I was eyeing that dress earlier, and while it’s gorgeous, I think it screams ‘look at me.’

“Am I going to fit in with the other guests wearing that?” I ask.

“No, you’ll stand out, but that’s a good thing.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Trust me, Princess.”

I nod. “Okay, let me try it on.”

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