Page 78 of Fauxmance

I nodded. "Yeah, they did."

"Maybe it won't be that hard to convince my family after all."

"Hmm," I said. "I guess I'll see you later."

"Absolutely," he said.

Hayden was staring at me, and I really hoped he couldn’t read my mind.

With an awkward wave, I got out of the car and shut the door. I kept waiting to hear his engine driving away. My keys were buried somewhere at the bottom of my bag. I was looking for them when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Spinning around, I saw Hayden.

"You forgot these," he said, holding out the flowers he'd brought me. It was like déjà vu, but I took them, feeling the skin of his hand brush mine.

"Oh," I said. "I wasn't thinking."

It was a lie. I was thinking entirely too much which was why I hadn't remembered the brightyellow blooms. I was glad Hayden noticed because I would've been so sad if I got home only to discover they weren't there.

"Thank you again."

"No problem," Hayden said.

"Was there something else?"

When he leaned forward and kissed me, I wasn't expecting it. My eyes slid closed immediately. His hands circled my waist, drawing me closer. His mouth was warm as it moved with mine. And oh, I felt sparks rushing through my veins. The kiss ended way too soon, but the tingles remained.

"That was a goodbye kiss," Hayden said.

"Not that I'm complaining," I said breathlessly. "But why didn't you just say bye?"

He gave me a slow smile. "Had to make sure our chemistry is on point."

I nodded absently.

"I think we're good."

Oh, we were so good.

"See you soon, Maggie."

He left me standing there thoroughly kissed with flowers in one hand and my keys in the other. It was a long time before I started moving. But even then, I couldn't get Hayden off my mind.

"Pretending," I reminded myself. "We're only pretending."

Maybe if I said it enough the reality would finally sink in.

CHAPTER 15

Needless to say, by the time Friday rolled round, I had a lot to discuss with my therapist.

"Magnolia, so good to see you," Dr. Moorehousesaid as she held the door open to her office. "Come on in and make yourself comfortable."

"Okay," I said with a smile, stepping past her and going straight to the couch. "I'm glad to see you, too, Dr. M. I have so much to tell you."

"Can't wait to hear it."

She smiled and took her seat opposite me.

The room looked the same as usual. A calm light blue covered the walls. The rug was a complimentary cream that faded into a darker shade of blue before ending in a deep forest green. It had enough cushion to make your feet feel like you were sinking into a bed of flower petals with every step. There was a small wooden desk with a rolling chair, a built-in shelving unit on the wall behind it showcasing books, a fewplaquesand figurines. A nice big couch with colorful decorative pillows sat in the center of the room for clients. The recliner right next to it was for the doctor. The overall feel was welcoming. It was a setup just like the ones seen in movies.

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