Page 41 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

I lift a shoulder. “I was mad at Josh the day I signed up for the Blitz Brigade, but then it just became a thing. You’re the first person to figure it out.”

“You mean to tell me that you don’t just meet guys from sports bars but also find them online?”

The glint in his eyes lets me know he’s teasing, but embarrassment rises through me.

“Actually, I’ve never met anyone online in person before. You’re the first.” I look under my eyelashes at him to see a surprised expression on his face. His eyes soften right before me, and a small smile lines my lips. I fiddle with my coffee cup and then just let what I’m thinking tumble from my mouth.

Chapter Sixteen

Adam

“There was just somethingabout you that made me want to meet you.” My heart thuds slowly against my chest, and my mouth goes dry as I let her words wash over me like a warm August sun. “Even though you could’ve been a serial killer, that is.”

The sparkle in her green eyes captivates me so completely that it takes me a moment to grasp what she just said. When it processes, laughter erupts from me.

“Funny enough, I didn’t even think about that possibility.” I chuckle.

“Of course not.” She smiles before continuing in a direction I never thought she’d go. “Statistically, women are less likely to be serial killers, not to mention the fact that I’m pretty sure you could take out anyone who wanted to hurt you.”

Her eyes graze my upper body and heat touches everywhere they do. The corner of my lips lift. “Think about this often?” I work to school my expression as a myriad of emotions flash across her face, from awkwardness to resignation.

I will never get bored of her nervous rambling. It’s charming.

“Actually, no, I write about—” My brow knits together as she abruptly stops mid-sentence. She grips her cup between both hands and looks down when she continues. “Horror isn’t really my thing. However, when meeting up with someone from a chat group, my mind does tend to lean toward outrageous possibilities.”

She lifts her gaze to mine, and they dance with amusement.

“I’ll keep that in mind if I ever decide to surprise you again.” I chuckle, and her face splits into a wide grin, which causes my lips to follow suit.

“Are you planning on surprising me again?” She sits up straighter, leans a bit closer, and her eyes glisten a captivating shade of green. I feel the corner of my lips dip a tiny bit as I remember the whole purpose of wanting an in-person gathering.

My expired visa.

“There’s a high probability of that happening…” I give her a shaky smile and take a sip of tea. I need a moment to gather the courage to explain why I wanted this meeting. “I had a reason for asking to meet up with Amelia…um…you.”

When Susie says nothing, I look up to see her eyebrows drawn. “Adam, is everything okay?”

Gazing into her eyes, a chill runs through me, and my stomach tightens. For the first time in a long time, I’m afraid. Not of asking her to marry me or her saying no but of falling so deeply in love with the woman sitting in front of me.

She sees right through me. Having someone see you so clearly is wonderful, but it’s terrifying to feel so transparent.

“Adam?” She places a hand on my arm, and my eyes drop to it, its warmth moving through me. Placing my hand on hers, I take a deep breath.

“Actually, everything isn’t okay.” She squeezes my arm, and I hold her hand a bit tighter. When I raise my eyes to hers, herbrows are pulled together, and her forehead is creased. “No. NO. It’s nothing like that. Physically, I’m okay, and my family is okay but…there is something else.”

Immediately, her face relaxes, and she pulls her hand from my arm. Then, she leans on the table with her elbows crossed. My hand is still resting on my arm, where hers was, missing the skin-to-skin contact.

“So tell me how I—or Amelia—” A mischievous glint shines in her green eyes. "I can help you.”

I look around the room. Did everyone from Pleasant Hollow decide to come here today? My throat tightens, and I swallow past the cotton filling my mouth. I pull my cup up and finish the rest of my tea.

Time to take the plunge.

“You remember I’m Canadian, right?” I let out a slow breath, trying to calm the jackhammer that’s replaced my heart. She nods. I lean forward and mumble softly but very quickly. “Turns out my visa expired.”

“What was that about your visa?” I immediately put a finger over my mouth and make the universal sound for quiet. Looking around to see if anyone is watching us. “Sorry. Is it a secret?”

“Well, more like it’s not common knowledge yet.” She mouths a quiet oooh, and I nod. I lean in and signal with my hand to come closer. “My visa expired.”

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