Page 42 of This Feeling

Turning to Declan, I said, “I’m sorry, this’ll only take a moment.”

“I’m going to head up to my place and change, then I’ll be back down.”

I smiled and tried to ignore the way my father was bouncing his gaze between me and Declan with a wide grin on his face. “Sounds great.”

We watched as Officer Hot Pants walked out the front door.

The second it closed, my father asked, “What in the hell is going on? You’re fake-dating his brother the twerp, but you look at Declan like you want to eat him up. If you don’t think people will notice, I’ve got news for you, deary, you’re a terrible actress.”

My mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry?”

Rolling his eyes, my father waved me off. “Please. I have four daughters. I know when one of you is lusting after a boy.”

I choked. “Lusting after a boy? First off, Dad, I don’tlustafter anyone. And second, Mr. Hot—I mean,Declanisn’t a boy.”

His brows raised. “Mr. Hot what?”

“Nothing! Never mind.”

“Someone told me they saw you kiss that idiot today. I thought you said the fake-dating was for his mother. Why are you kissing the man in public?” My father shivered as if the thought made him sick.

“I had no choice! I think Declan might suspect something’s up.”

My father closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Harper, but do you remember what that jerk did to you? Why in the world are you helping him out?”

“Dad, aren’t you supposed to be nice to everyone? You’re the mayor, and you’re calling Declan’s brother names in front of him.”

“To hell with that! You’re mydaughter. That comes first and foremost.”

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Dad, do you remember I got two season tickets for the Giants out of this deal?”

His brows nearly shot up into his hairline. “How did I miss that part? You must have told us when I was having a laughing fit over the whole thing.”

I sighed and shook my head. My father and mother both broke out into breathless laughter when I told them.

“One of these days, your bleeding heart is going to get you into trouble, Harper.”

“I know.”

“Two questions: why are youreallydoing this, and for how long?”

I exhaled a breath. “I gave him almost two months. I’m already ready to strangle him with my bare hands though. The why…I already told you and Mom.”

“Yes, yes, his mother’s trying to set him up with Crystal Stevens, and Sean is in love with Caroline Stevens, but she’s dating someone. The boy needs to grow a damn pair of balls and stand up to his mother.”

“That’s what I said!”

“So meanwhile, you have to pretend to be with twerp boy while making eyes at Declan?”

I gasped. “I am not making eyes at Declan, Daddy.”

He gave me a look that silently said I needed to rethink that statement.

“I’mnot. I’ll admit, he’s hooo…um…cute.”

“Mr. Hot something,” he teased.

Rolling my eyes, I walked to the back room. If I was going to finish everything in time, I needed to get to work. “It’s not a crime to think someone’s cute.”

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