Page 35 of The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match
“Uh—”
Gabby nodded in reply, cutting Winnie off. “Well, Wyatt and I have talked about it. He called Bandit, and he’s saying when he comes back, he doesn’t really want to run it now that his mom is gone. That place is just sitting there. He said we could do what we wanted because he has no plans to reopen it at the moment.”
Winnie looked at Gabby, confused. “Wait. You’re opening a restaurant here?”
“In town, yes, but there’s no concrete timetable. The festival is a test to gauge traffic. The town is reviving a little all the time. We’ve had great ratings on the schools this past year. If that keeps up, it’ll draw people.”
“Plus, it would be nice not to have to drive to Amarillo to go to dinner,” Carrie Anne added.
Gabby closed the lid on the pie she’d just placed in a box. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to sit down sometime and talk about what all we’d be looking at. I was thrilled when Bear said you were a chef and were opening a restaurant.”
Reagan chuckled. “I’m sure Bear will be visiting every chance he gets so he can see you.”
Winnie's chest tightened. No, he wouldn’t, but she’d keep that part of the lie intact. They’d agreed to not pretend. If they knew their relationship would end after the holidays, there was no way they wouldn’t ask more questions. She didn’t like lying to them. “I certainly wouldn’t mind it.”
Israel walked into the kitchen holding Camry. The little girl held out her arms for Carrie Anne, and she took her, kissing her face all over and making Camry giggle. “Are you ready for some food?”
The little girl patted her chest, and Carrie Anne stood. “I’m going to go lie down and feed her. I’ll be back when she’s done.”
“That is, if you don’t fall asleep, right?” Gabby eyed her.
“My body is feeding a human being. I’m allowed to nap.” She lightly tugged on Gabby’s hair as she left the kitchen.
How could Winnie have gone from knowing exactly what she wanted, where she wanted it, to wishing she had this life? Small town festivals, a slower pace of life, holding hands with Bear and…loving him.
The thought nearly rocked her from her seat. She loved him down to the depths of her core. They’d spent hours talking on the phone. If she knew anyone, it was him. There had been nothing to do but talk because of the distance. They’d talked about their family, kids, and all the things they thought his parents might ask about. She’d been shocked to find she had so much in common with a man she’d agreed to fake date.
She still had the matter of her restaurant. Those obligations hadn’t changed just because her idea of happiness had changed. Plus, Bear wasn’t ready for someone new, and now that Winnie knew the whole story, she didn’t blame him. That wasn’t something she could force him to let go of, either.
Maybe she’d return to San Antonio and open the restaurant, and when they were both ready, they could pick things up again. Just because they wouldn’t be dating didn’t mean they had to stop talking. And for all she knew, that could be even better. More talking couldn’t hurt. Maybe. There was a chance it could make her crave him even stronger.
That was a hill she’d climb when she left. For now, she’d look at the positive. They were together, and they had a little over a week left to spend together. She’d focus on that and enjoy him.
Chapter 25
Stepping onto the porch the next day, Bear sucked in a lungful of air like it was the most precious thing on earth. After being trapped inside, he was ready for an evening in the great outdoors. Based on the clouds gathering, the predicted white Christmas would actually happen. If not during the festival, then they’d be waking up to the ground covered in snow.
Winnie’s fingers tangled with his as she stopped next to him. “You feel way better, huh?”
“A lot. Plus, one more day inside, and I’ll go bonkers.”
“You’re lucky your mom hasn’t caught you. You were supposed to be staying home and resting. If she knew you were out, she’d probably drag you by the ear back to your bed.” Winnie laughed.
He started to laugh with her and covered his mouth as he coughed. “It’s just a few hours. I can handle that.”
“We’ll take it hour by hour.” She pulled her hand free and hugged him around the chest. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he set his cheek against the top of her head. “Me too.”
They stood there, holding each other with nothing but the sounds of a few animals in the distance. This was paradise, or Bear’s idea of it. Holding a woman he loved and…his heart skipped a beat at the thought.
He loved Winnie. It was easy, too. He didn’t have to dig for things to love about her. Her beauty went all the way to her core. She’d even returned his money now that Tammy had returned most of what was taken. There was no comparison with his feelings about anyone or anything else. He was hers, and they’d hang a wreath on his door before he ever stopped.
Leaning back, he brushed his hand along her cheek and held her gaze. He slid his fingers into her hair, cupping the back of her head, and pressed his lips to hers. Soft, sweet, and supple. He loved the curve of her body and how it fit against his. Most of all, he loved the way she kissed him, burying her hands in his hair, clinging to him as if he were the only one she wanted.
As he deepened the kiss, her soft moan tickled his lips. If she was even a fraction as thirsty for him as he was for her, her thirst would be unquenchable. Time could stand still for an eternity, and he’d be just as greedy for her then as he was now.
Just as he thought his lungs might burst, she broke the kiss and set her forehead against his. “No one’s ever kissed me like that before.”
