Page 4 of Playing Pretend

“I agree.” Not that I’ve liked any guy who’s had the slightest association with her.

“I want you to go with her on this weekend trip.”

I let the subtle demand sink in, my gaze intent on her through the floor-to-ceiling glass while she pulls open cupboards in search of food.

I should laugh him off. Release a snicker at the very least. If only the buzz of contemplation didn’t have me in a choke hold. “You’re not worried about the possible complications?” I meet his gaze, finding thinly veiled scrutiny staring back at me.

“What sort of complications?”

If she needs a boyfriend for the weekend, that’s exactly what I’d give her. “You know I don’t do things half-hearted.”

“Yeah…” he hedges. “But the whole boyfriend thing would be fake… Right?”

Would it?

I return my attention to the kitchen, too eager to eat up the sight of Piper’s tanned legs in that black pencil skirt. She’s long been a temptation to the eye. Her tight white blouse doesn’t help either. Or the hint of her lace bra beneath.

I’ve wanted her for a long time. Far too long for my pulse not to kick up a notch at the prospect of a weekend away as a happy couple. Fake or not.

“Rome?” Rett’s tone holds a hint of warning. “You’d be pretending, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then why are you suddenly looking at her like she’s a challenge?”

I’ve nevernotconsidered her that way. I’ve thought about making Piper mine for more years than I care to remember. “I’m merely pondering whether this idea could work.”

If this is the right time. If this opportunity is what I’ve been waiting for.

He falls quiet, the silence turning uncharacteristically awkward.

The three of us have been inseparable for as long as I can recall. And it needs to stay that way. But I’m not getting any younger. Thirty-one is too old to be pining over a woman who may or may not be ready for me.

“You know she had a thing for you in middle school.” Rett lowers his voice. “So acting like a boyfriend is one thing, but leading her on…”

“Jesus.” I throw back the remainder of my scotch. “I’d never do that. And middle school was a long fucking time ago.”

He leans forward, one elbow pressed against the arm rest of his chair. “So you’d go back to normal once you returned home?”

I could try. But it wouldn’t be easy after living through something that I’ve spent more than my fair share of nights thinking about.

“She’s not the no-strings type,” he adds.

I know. That’s where the issue lies. At least one of them.

She’s also as straitlaced as they come. No flings. No kinks. No perversions.

My polar opposite.

We’ve always been worlds apart yet side by side. I know what I want from a partner while she doesn’t have a clue what she can get from a man. Especially one like me.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m missing something here?” Rett scoots his ass toward the edge of his seat, creeping closer. “What’s up with you?”

“Nothing.”

Not once have I mentioned my feelings for Piper. Not even a hint. The issue is, can I live through any more years denying myself?

His frown deepens. “Rome, just fucking tell me.”

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