Page 12 of Summer Kisses

"It's fine," I said, thinking of how nice it was to hold his hand, to be seen as his. It was like a dream come true. I never thought Brady would ever think of me as someone who could be more than a friend. But this charade allowed me to experience what it would be like dating Brady Kingston for real. "You know, this will mess up your most eligible bachelor status."

Brady rolled his eyes. "That article wasn't about me. It was Hudson and Shep."

"I think you're selling yourself short." I saw the comments online about the poll. Brady looked like a real-life Ken doll with his sharp jaw and classic good looks. The only difference was that Ken had blond hair and Brady had brown.

"I'm not missing out on anything. This is what I want."

I grinned. "Let's go eat then."

"Wait for me to come get you. We're dating now, remember?" His request was adorable, so I waited patiently for him to round the hood and open the door.

He held his hand out to help me down.

"You know, I've been getting out of your truck just fine for years on my own."

He grinned. "Indulge me. I'm trying to be a good boyfriend."

I was charmed by his efforts. After checking in, the hostess seated us on the deck so we had a view of the ocean.

"I'll be taking care of you today," Jo said as she looked from me to Brady. "I just want to say I think it's great you two are seeing each other. You make the cutest couple."

"Thanks," I said, knowing that too many of those comments were dangerous for my heart.

Brady's eyes sparkled with amusement.

We ordered, and when Jo left, I said, "Do you think this is necessary? Being seen around town as a couple?"

"We need to make it look real if we want people to believe it. If I proposed to you, then our relationship would be out in the open. No more secrets."

This entire situation was messing with my head. I sighed, looking at the waves breaking on the shore. Everything was the same yet completely different.

Brady was my friend but also my fiancé. We still hung out together, except now we held hands and apparently kissed depending on the occasion. I wasn't prepared for everyone to know we were dating. It would hurt when we inevitably broke up.

Then I'd have to watch him move forward with someone else, and everyone would know I wasn't enough for Brady.

I hated the thought of that, so I pushed it out of my mind and focused on the man in front of me. I only had a few weeks with him, and I wanted to enjoy every minute.

Chapter Four

BRADY

This morning, we were stopping by the senior center to plan our engagement party. I was more than a little nervous to face Mabel and her friends. She was sharp, seemingly knowing everything that was going on.

I was worried she'd figure out this whole thing was a sham.

I picked up Hazel at her place. She lived in an apartment but wanted to live on the beach. She couldn't afford it on a librarian's salary. I wished I'd invited her to move in with me years ago, but Dalton was the co-owner of our house, and he thought living with a girl would make it harder for us to date other women.

Secretly, I think he'd always been jealous of my relationship with Hazel. He didn't have the same outlet from our family. And they could be a lot sometimes.

Hazel opened the door, wearing a long skirt, a T-shirt, and sandals. Her dog, Max, pushed at her knees until she let him greet me.

"Hey, bud." I let him sniff my hand. Then I petted him.

"When are you going to let me have this guy?" He was the sweetest golden retriever, but he had to be cooped up in her tiny place.

"I'm never giving him up. You can stop asking." Hazel gave Max a treat so she could close the door.

"You can bring him to my parents' house later."

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