Page 23 of Good Girl's Guide to Love
“Well, for starters, he fumbled you. And he knows it.” I lean in a little closer. You know, for effect. “And I’m going to go out on a limb and say that he can’t stop staring because you’re the most beautiful woman in this bar, and I’m the lucky bastard who gets to hold your hand.”
Ainsley’s jaw drops a little—probably because what I said likely sounded like the biggest line ever. But it can’t be a line when it’s the truth.
“Can I be honest, Linc?”
“Of course.”
“I have no idea how to do this.”
“Do what?”
She takes a big breath before worry floods her face. “I don’t really date, let alone have fake boyfriends. I for sure have never done anything like this in front of an ex. Oh my gosh! Is this now a thing? Do I have to keep this up when we’re at work? Are you my fake boyfriend forever? Oh gosh…maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
I know she’s worried, but her panic is cute. “Do you always ramble like this when you’re worried?”
“Yes. Rambling when I’m panicked. Speechless when I’m taken off guard. Worrying when…well…always.” Ainsley takes a sip of her drink, and I notice that she looks over to Dr. Dipshit. “Maybe we should stop while we’re ahead. No harm, no foul, and I don’t have to answer questions when I see him at work next week.”
Well, that’s not going to happen. Actually, that sounds like a fucking terrible idea, if I do say so myself.
“Or, and this is just a suggestion, we double down.”
She raises her eyebrows as her eyes widen. “Double down?”
This is about to be the best or worst idea I’ve ever had. “Exactly. Rub it in his face that his ex-girlfriend is with a professional football player until he storms out in a rage. That way, he won’t even come around you when he sees you at work.”
“What if he still does?”
“I guess then I’ll have to make another visit to Nashville Children’s. Only this time, with flowers in my hand.”
Ainsley doesn’t immediately shut down the idea, which I take for a win. And I wouldn’t mind going back to the hospital. I really do enjoy doing visits like that. And if I can see my temporary fake girlfriend in the process of pissing off a man who can’t take no for an answer? Well, that sounds like a fun day.
“I don’t know,” she says, worry all through her voice. “It seems like a lot could go wrong.”
She wasn’t lying when she said she wasn’t a risk taker. Which means I’m going to need to step up and help her out.
I bring our joined hands to my lips, placing a small kiss to her knuckles. “Or, it could go exactly to plan.”
I stay there for a second, begging her with my eyes to go with my plan. But the way she’s looking at me right now? A little scared, a lot nervous, but all the trust in the world? I’ve never wanted to come through for someone so much in my life.
“Come on, Ainsley. Do something a little scary. And let’s make your ex-boyfriend jealous as fuck.”
guide to love rule #88
There’s something to be said about liquid courage. It makes you do all sorts of crazy things.
8
ainsley
I wasn’t lyingto Linc earlier when I said that I freeze when I’m not sure what to do. Which is why I haven’t blinked, let alone said anything, in what feels like hours, but is more like seconds.
Do something scary…
How is this the second time that phrase has been said to me tonight? And tonight of all nights. The night that my ex is back in town. The night I was already wondering why I feel like my life is in this constant state of neutral.
Do something scary…
“I don’t know,” I say, because I don’t. But also, I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Yet, something in me is wanting this more than practical Ainsley wants to play it safe. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”
