Page 60 of Breaking Point
Something sparks in his eyes, lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Got anything you feel the need to share?”
“No, why?”
He faces me fully now, a smug smirk dancing across his face. Whenever he gets that, it’s usually not a good thing. “Well, you’ve refused to eat food cooked by any of the chefs Lucy has hired for you. In fact, the only food you’ll eat is what you order off Uber Eats and yet here you are, devouringherfood.”
I lick every trace of the muffin off my fingers. “I don’t know what to tell you.”
He shrugs, his grin turning into a crooked smile as he nestles back into the couch. “It’s interesting.” He continues to chew while peering at me quizzically. “Does she know about?—”
“No,” I cut him off, not wanting him to ruin this moment. Trying to distract him from the heaviness lingering over my head like a rain cloud, I drawl lazily, “Who did you say was a good candidate?”
The front door bursts open, followed by the sound that I’ve been hoping to hear for over a week.
“I’ll do it.”
Jumping to my feet, my gaze locks on Bella’s as she enters the living room with such determination I have to take a small step backward.
“Do what?”
“I’ll pretend to be your girlfriend.”
Kieran whistles behind me. “Didn’t see that coming.”
Paying him zero attention, I pin all my focus on Bella as she raises her index finger. “On one condition.”
“Name it.”
I realize with a sudden jolt that I’ll do anything to have her do this with me.
She lifts her chin before she swallows thickly. “I want fourteen thousand dollars a month.”
Kieran sucks in a sharp gasp behind me, followed by a string of curse words. “What the fuck? Grayson, don’t even?—”
“Deal,” I blurt out, soaking up the stunned expression that flashes across her face. “Deal,” I repeat once more with a smile I can’t hold back.
Kieran groans behind me. “Whipped. He’s already whipped.”
My head snaps to him. “I love you, but you need to go.”
His mouth drops open in mock horror. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” I try and convey every heart-pounding emotion flooding my system right now through my eyes as I move toward him and whisper, “Please, Kieran.”
His blue eyes, so close to mine, flick back and forth as he searches my face. Something settles within him, a sudden realization. Standing, he claps me on the shoulder before turning to Bella with a wink. “Great muffins by the way.”
She makes a non-committal noise in response, her eyes not wavering from me.
We don’t move. I don’t think I even breathe until I hear that front door shut and Kieran’s car rev to life.
I note that she’s blinking furiously. Heat singes my neck, climbing all the way up to my cheeks.
Fuck, maybe I shouldn’t have told him to leave.
Rubbing the back of my nape, I find my hand is clammy…or maybe it’s my neck…or both?
Fuck, what is wrong with me?I’m never nervous. Ever.
Despite the buzzing beneath my skin, I smile. “So, you want to be my girlfriend?” I clear my throat. “Fake girlfriend,” I clarify, trying to wipe away my smile and failing.
