Page 37 of Summer Kisses

"How so?"

"He'd think I was chasing money or fame. I never thought it would take off or that I could monetize it. I've kind of blown up over the years. I think it has more to do with the popularity of the video game than me."

"I would think your personality makes a difference. The kids like to watch you."

"Viewership has increased since you started filming with me. So maybe you're right."

"Of course I am. It matters who you are and whether they like you."

His forehead creased. "Will you let me pay you a portion of my earnings? It's only fair."

"I'm not sure that's the right thing to do. It was part of our agreement that we help each other."

"And so far, you've done far more to help me than I've done to help you."

"The engagement party is coming up soon, and Grandma has high expectations. We'll have to play the part of the happy couple in public." Just the thought made me nervous. I hated lying to my grandmother and friends, but we didn't have a choice. Not if we wanted our plan to work.

"It's one night. We've got this."

"I'm glad you're feeling so confident." I was more worried each day. Living together behind closed doors would be easy compared to acting like a couple in front of our closest friends and family.

"We can spend more time practicing kissing if you think that would help."

I rolled my eyes to cover up the interest I was positive was showing in my gaze. "I don't think we'll be making out in front of my grandmother."

"I think you underestimate her. She'll want us to kiss."

I snorted. "I don't think so."

"Remember how people clink the glasses to get the couple to kiss at weddings?"

I frowned. "You don't think they'll do that at the engagement party, do you?"

Brady grinned as he lay back on the towel, his arms folded behind his head. "Miss Mabel will be leading that movement. You watch."

"Ugh," I collapsed onto the towel next to him. "You're probably right."

"The point of this is to give Mabel a show. She wants to know that you're happy and in love, and we're going to prove that to her."

The only problem was that none of it was true. We didn't love each other as more than friends. I was the only one affected by these kisses. Would she see right through us, or could we make it believable? "I want this to work."

He lifted on one elbow, a smile playing on his lips. "We're going to look like the most in-love couple they've ever seen."

I sucked in a breath, wondering how we'd pull it off.

Chapter Ten

BRADY

Spending the weekend with Hazel at my beach house was great. We could pretend that nothing existed outside of our little bubble. But the reality was going to hit us eventually. We had the engagement party and pressure to be seen in public as a couple.

I needed her to see me as more than a friend, and so far, I wasn't so sure it was working. I'd convinced her to go deep into the ocean with me to enjoy the waves, but I already knew she trusted me. We were friends after all.

But then she'd placed her legs around my waist, and it was a struggle not to react to the feel of her pussy pressed against my dick.

On the beach, I'd come up with the perfect solution for her money troubles, but I was less positive she'd accept money from me. I don't think she believed I was making much.

But if my plan with her worked, my income would increase. It motivated me to convince everyone we were a couple. She deserved a break and to live the life of her dreams, even if it wasn't with me. She shouldn't be limited by the realities of her salary or life on an expensive island.

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