Page 61 of Fauxmance

"I was hoping you'd reconsider," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Being my girlfriend."

My breath hitched. "Don't you mean fake girlfriend?"

"Well yeah," he said. "That's the only kind I'm interested in. It's nothing personal, Magnolia. I don't date or get attached."

I deflated a bit at that but tried not to let it show.

"I'd be a crap boyfriend anyway."

And, unfortunately, Sean was still the first image that popped into my head when I thought of the word 'boyfriend'. A clear sign that I wasn't ready to start dating again—not that Hayden was asking.

"I know you turned me down," he said, "which I respect. But I just had to try again."

"Why?" I asked. "Hayden, I'm sure you could have any girl you want. Yet you went through the trouble of finding me? I don't get it."

"I told you my grandma likes you."

"And her approval is important to you. Yes, I remember."

"It is," he said. "I love Gigi. Sure, she has connections that could help my band. But more importantly, I love her. I understand that she just wants me to make something of myself, and I'm trying. It would be a lot easier with her help. Going to these family functions is probably the best way to show her I've changed—which is something you recommended by the way. But it's more than that."

I waited.

"I like you, Magnolia." His stare was so direct that it made my heart stutter. "When I askedbefore, I didn't say that part."

"No, you didn't," I murmured.

"I thought it was obvious."

Not to me.

"You're literally one of the only girls I'd even consider doing this with."

"That's sweet, Hayden. But—"

"Who knows? It might even help your mom's business. You said she's a seamstress. Like I said, Gigi has a lot of connections."

I hadn't thought of that. The very real possibility that this, continuing to fake date Hayden, might help my mom made it next to impossible to refuse.

"It's only a couple more weddings."

"And an engagement party," I mumbled.

He tilted his head. "Will you at least tell me why you won't consider it?"

Because you could break my heart. And I'll probably let you do it. Because I don't think I can say no to you again.

"I thought we were friends," he said, and my heart finally gave up the fight. "I want us to be. I want to spend more time with you. So, even if it makes me sound like a desperate idiot, I'm going to ask again. Maggie, will you be my fake girlfriend?"

There was only one thing I could say.

CHAPTER 12

Yeswas such a small word.

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