Page 37 of Strictly Pretend

“It’s just a friend thing,” I tell him.

“Of course it’s not,” Granddad says. “He doesn’t look at you like he’s just a friend.”

Brooks walks over and his eyes catch mine. And it’s stupid but my heart does a brief flutter like this is a proper date and he really is as pleased to see me as he looks.

Next to me, Granddad lets out a contented sigh. Brooks holds out his hand and Granddad shakes it and I shake my head because no thoughts are working right now.

“It’s good to see you again, young man,” Granddad says. “Now I know why Emma’s all dressed up.”

“She looks beautiful.” There’s a half-smile on Brooks’ face as he looks from Granddad to me. Damn, he’s an excellent actor.

“Doesn’t she?” Granddad’s eyes are soft as he takes me in. “Looks just like her grandma.”

I swallow hard. “We’re just going out for a couple of hours,” I say to Granddad. “No biggie.”

“I haven’t seen you this dressed up since senior prom,” Granddad continues. “You had a crush on that boy. What was his name?”

“Douglas.”

“That’s right. You looked beautiful then, and you look beautiful now.” He turns his gaze to Brooks. “Though I hope you treat her better than that asshole did. And her ex, come to that.”

“Grandad…” I widen my eyes in warning at him.

“I intend to, sir.”

What’s with the sir? They make me feel like I’m in a 1980s Brat Pack movie. Not a twenty-nine-year-old woman about to fake date the man who’s trying to steal my shop away.

“She’s a good girl,” Granddad continues and I let out a low sigh. “She deserves happiness. Know what I mean?”

“I do.” Brooks sounds completely serious. He deserves an Oscar.

“And you think you’re the man to do that?”

“I believe so, yes.” Brooks slides a hand around my waist. I don’t lean into him. I’m as stiff as a board. But I’m hyper aware of the feeling of his palm against my back. He leans in to kiss my cheek. “Relax,” he murmurs.

But I can’t.

“Hey, are those flowers on the front seat?” Granddad asks, leaning to the left to peer into the car window.

“Yes, sir.”

“You bought me flowers?” I ask him. “Why?”

Granddad laughs. “Because you’re worth it, sweetheart. Of course a man should buy you flowers. I used to buy them for your grandma every week.”

I know he did. And for a while there, the way he treated Grandma gave me false expectations for what a relationship is supposed to be like. But I know better now. They’re the outliers.They don’t make romantics like Granddad anymore. And I know for a fact that Brooks doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body.

Sure, he’s good at this. But that’s because he’s a good businessman. He probably learned to lie from a young age.

I still feel like I’ve been strapped into a rollercoaster car and can’t get out.

“Where are you going?” Granddad asks.

“We’ll probably go to Mel’s,” I say. It’s the bar around the corner. It’s easy, unpretentious, and they serve the best sandwiches.

“I’ve booked a reservation at San Pietro’s,” Brooks says. I immediately panic because that’s by far the most expensive restaurant in town. And I’m determined to go dutch on this. I don’t want to owe him anything.

My eyes meet his. He looks so laid back it isn’t funny. And I’m like a frayed ball of nerves, unable to stand still.

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