Page 28 of Bumping into You

“Thank you,” Gwen continues. “Also, I don’t want to hamper your style. I know you’re on vacation. So feel free to do whatever you planned on doing or to spend time with any woman you want during the cruise, just don’t let Bradley or Tammy see you with anyone else.”

“Not to worry. I came on this cruise for Greg and Holly, not to hook up with random women.” I scribble the first rule on the pad of paper, then say, “Rule two: you have to go on a few dates with me, just the two of us—as a fake couple, of course.”

“I don’t have time for that,” Gwen protests. “This cruise and wedding are important. Nothing can go wrong.”

But I can’t take no for an answer. Time alone together would not only show Greg I’m fulfilling his favor but would also give me the opportunity to secure my promise to my mam. It’s my chance to genuinely try to make a connection with someone. We have to go on these dates. I can’t fail my mam.

“I hear you. I do,” I say, “but it’s important that you have a littlecraicwhile we are on the cruise. It shouldn’t be all work and no play. This is your brother and best friend’s wedding, after all. You’re a guest as much as the wedding planner.”

“True, but mainly I’m the wedding planner. Who else is going to make sure everything is perfect?”

“This rule is a deal-breaker for me.”

“Why is it a deal-breaker? What’s it to you?” asks Gwen, tilting her head.

“Let’s just say, you have your reasons, and I have mine. And one of mine is that we spend time together as a fake couple. If you can’t agree to this, then we don’t have a deal.” I stare into her gorgeous hazel eyes, silently begging her to agree to my request.

Sighing heavily, she says, “Fine, we can go on a few dates. It will help our cover in case we run into Bradley and Tammy anyway.”

Nodding, I jot down the second rule:Go on some dates, just the two of us, as a fake couple.

“Rule three,” she glares at me then catches herself, shaking her head as she says, “I promise to not be too mean to you.”

“What if I like your spunky side?” I ask.

She grins but quickly hides it, raising her eyebrow at me. “Well, I’m not perfect so I’m sure that side will come out plenty. I’ll be busy with the wedding and cruise itinerary, and even in the short time I’ve known you, you’ve already distracted me too much. I just promise I will try to not act like I hate your guts while you’re pretending to be my boyfriend.”

“Ah, so I distract you then,” I say, a grin spreading across my face.

“No, ugh, you like riling me up, don’t you? Okay, rule four: you can’t rile me up.”

“Hey, a boyfriend would tease his girlfriend.”

“Fine, you can only do it when you are acting like my boyfriend. Otherwise, you have to try and be nice too.”

“Oh, I’ll be nice to you, no worries there.”

“Right. Well . . . we’re not really going to be dating, only pretending.”

I can see the insecurity in her eyes. It’s taking a lot from her to ask me for this favor. What she doesn’t understand is that any bloke in his right mind would jump at the chance to be with her. She’s snarky, tough, fiery, and drop-dead gorgeous.

“Grand. Any other rules? Because I’m not counting your rule three and four.”

“Fine, don’t add them. I have just one more then. When we’re around Bradley, we need to sell our relationship.”

“Okay, do you want to give me more details?”

“Um, it’s not necessarily a requirement, it’s just that . . .”

“Spit it out, Rose. We haven’t got all day. I’d still like to catch lunch before it’s time for dinner.” My eyes curl up with mischief because I think I know where she’s going with this. And my mind has been playing it on loop since she first asked me to fake date her.

“Well, it’s just, you know, Bradley can’t find out we’re fake dating, so we have to . . .”

“Make it look real?” I offer.

“Exactly.”

“So, what are you thinking? How real do you want it to look?”

---