Page 12 of Faking All the Way
He shrugs, looking a bit confused by the question. “I’m not sure yet. I figured I’d book whatever’s available. Can’t be that complicated.”
I grimace, gesturing around us with one hand. “Asher, this is a small town. There’s one big hotel on the outskirts of Maplewood that I definitely wouldn’t recommend you stay at, even if they have vacancies. Other than that, we have exactly two bed-and-breakfasts and one historic inn, and I’m sure they’ve been booked solid for weeks. People around here plan their Christmas visits months in advance.”
He blinks at me like I’ve just informed him that gravity functions differently in rural Virginia. “You’re serious? I was planning to stay for a while, but I didn’t even think…”
“Dead serious. This isn’t Philadelphia, where you can just walk into a chain hotel.” I can see him mentally scrambling, and guilt gnaws at my conscience. He’s stuck in this situation partially because of my airport theatrics. “Shit, I’m sorry. I should have thought about the logistics before dragging you into my mess.”
“No, it’s fine.” He shrugs off my apology, scrubbing a hand along his jaw. “There has to be somewhere I can stay. My agent has feelers out with a few teams, and I was hoping to stay for a while and keep a low profile while I figure out what’s next.”
The wheels in my brain start spinning. He went along with my insane charade when he could have easily exposed me as a fraud and walked away. The least I can do is help solve the problem I’ve inadvertently created for him.
Plus, there’s the practical matter of what do to about our fake relationship if he really is planning to stay in Maplewood for a while. If my mysterious new boyfriend suddenly vanishes without explanation, I’ll have some pointed questions to answer. And if he can’t even find accommodations, keeping up the lie that we’re together will become exponentially more difficult.
“Actually,” I say slowly, an idea crystallizing in my mind, “I might have a solution that benefits both of us.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Really?”
“My friend Samantha inherited a cabin from her grandparents years ago on the quiet side of town. I’m staying there while she’s out of the country on an Antarctic research expedition, and there’s a fully equipped guest house on the property that’s just going to be sitting empty.” Taking a deep breath, I blurt out, “I could offer you a free place to stay, somewhere private where you can stay under the radar, if you’d be willing to keep up this fake dating arrangement. Just through the holidays.”
I go silent, biting my lip as I wait to see what he’ll say.
Asher studies my face with those intense blue-gray eyes, and I try not to fidget under the scrutiny. “You want me to play your fake boyfriend through Christmas in exchange for free accommodations?”
“I know it sounds crazy.” The words spill out in an anxious rush. “But think about it logically. You need somewhere to stay, and I could really use the backup with my family situation. Plus, having you around makes dealing with Daniel and his perfect fiancée infinitely more bearable. It’s a win-win.”
“And what exactly would this arrangement require from me?”
I hadn’t thought through the specifics that far ahead. “Just… mostly showing up to family gatherings together. Maybe a few casual public appearances around town to maintain the illusion, but nothing elaborate! Nothing too demanding or complicated.”
“Nothing too complicated,” he echoes, and I wish I could read his tone better.
“It’s not like we’d be sharing living space. The guest house is separate from the main cabin.” I’m suddenly worried he thinks I’m propositioning him for something a lot more than fake dating. “You’d have total privacy and independence. The only issue is the kitchen in the guest house is pretty minimal, mostlyjust a microwave and mini-fridge. So you might need to use the main cabin’s kitchen occasionally, but?—”
“Kat.”
I stop babbling mid-sentence and look at him expectantly.
He’s quiet for a long moment, his gaze shifting between me and the door to the house behind me, where my family is likely wondering what’s taking us so long. They probably think we’re making out, if my dad’s joke as we left the living room is any indication.
That thought makes a strange giddy feeling rush through my stomach, and I surreptitiously press my palm to my cheeks, hoping the heat I can feel in them hasn’t translated into a blush.
Finally, Asher nods once. “Alright. You have yourself a deal.”
I suck in a little breath, not realizing until just this moment how certain I was that he was going to say no. “Really? You’ll do it?”
“Really.” The corner of his mouth quirks upward in what might be the beginning of an actual smile. “But I reserve the right to renegotiate terms if you turn out to be an insufferable roommate.”
“We won’t technically be roommates,” I say quickly. Probably too quickly. “Separate buildings, remember? Different addresses, practically.”
“Right.” His almost-smile becomes more pronounced, and something about it makes my pulse speed up. “Separate buildings.”
“Thank you for agreeing to this. I realize it’s… I don’t even know what. Unconventional doesn’t even begin to cover it.” I catch myself touching my lips unconsciously, the memory of our recent kiss still so vivid. “Most people would have run screaming by now.”
His gaze drops to follow the movement of my fingers, and when his eyes meet mine again, there’s something unreadable in their depths. “Maybe. But I’m not most people.”
The simple statement hangs between us, and I swallow hard.
God, I’m well aware of that.
