Page 95 of Ripped & Shipped
“I do.”
“And you realize our parents are going to go bat-spitting bonkers about this, and not in a good way.”
“I do.”
We could just admit this is a farce. At least locally, we could. And then we would just maintain the online impression that we’re dating.
I tried to get this town on social media back when I was helping Jayme get her book deal. Most of those accounts are as dry and dusty as cyber deserts, but enough of Bordeaux remained active online. They’re bound to trip across my account eventually and see these photos. I hadn’t thought about it when I agreed to this ridiculousness, but if we’re going to pull off faking it, we’re going to have to convince the people of Bordeaux that we’re a couple.
“You’re still willing to take this to the next level,” I ask.
“I’m willing to go to the next level with you, Ella Mae. For you, I’m all in.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d take that as some sort of sign that Chris St. James had romantic feelings for me. Instead, I’ll take it for what it obviously is. He’s crossed a line. We have. He’s officially my friend. And, as a woman with only a handful of friends, I feel like I just won the lottery.
CHAPTER32
Ella Mae
“I’ve gotone more thing to ask you before I leave you to get back to your unplugged night.”
Chris actually looks a little nervous. Doesn’t he know I’d pretty much say yes to anything he needs from me? It’s not like I’m known for turning people down when they ask for help. Well, I’m not known for most of my good qualities, but he should know me well enough to know I pitch in whenever I can.
“You remember Brooks?”
“Of course I remember Brooks. What kind of question is that? I probably could recite our town’s population in alphabetical order, you goof.”
He shakes his head as though no one’s ever called him a goof before. Maybe no one has.
“Okay. Well, he and Gabriela had their wedding in Boston. I went. I didn’t tell anyone here that I went, because a lot of them weren’t going, and … Anyway, Brooks and Gabriela are having a second reception in Cincinnati, where he grew up. It’s next weekend.”
“That’s nice.”
“It’s … yeah. I guess. Anyway, I’m invited.”
“Well, you should go.”
“I am.”
“Okay?”
“I want you to go with me.”
“Me? You wantmeto go withyouto Cincinnati? For a reception?”
“Yeah. If you were my girlfriend, you’d go. Everyone’s bringing their wife or girlfriend. And, you’re my girlfriend, so I want you to come.”
“You really know how to woo a woman. Don’t you, Big Boy?”
“Honestly? I think I used to have those skills, and I’m starting to wonder if they atrophied from lack of use.”
“You’re good. Don’t worry. I’m sure when the right one comes along, you’ll be inspired, and it will all come rushing back just like riding a bicycle.”
“You think?”
“Yeah. And another thing. It won’t matter. When it’s the right one, you won’t need the moves. She’ll be so swept up into you, and all this—” I gesture to him from his head to his feet and back up again. “You won’t need any extra moves.”
“So you think I’ve got what it takes to win a woman over?
