Page 66 of False Play
She laughed again. “Stop making me laugh!”
“Never,” I said, softly. “I love your laugh.”
Why the fuck did I say that out loud?
Her eyes settled on me with a puzzled expression. My heart stammered against my chest, and it took everything in me not to say something else that was probably going to be equally as pathetic (if not more so).
“I brought you some stuff,” I blurted.
“I told you I was fine.”
I let out a short laugh. “Good thing I don’t listen to stubborn people.”
“I’mnotstubborn.” She rolled her eyes as she stood from the bed and headed to the kitchen. I was right behind her, and we almost bumped into each other when she suddenly stopped.
I gripped her waist so she wouldn’t fall on her face.
“What’s all of this?” Kennedy asked, her tone shaky.
“I brought you some soup, which good thing I did, because I bet you’re dehydrated.” I started taking everything out of the bags. “I also wasn’t sure what kind of treat you like when you’re on your period, so I brought a few options. Some chocolates, sour gummies, and even salt and vinegar chips. Oh, and some flowers.”
“Flowers?”
My cheeks heated, and I avoided her gaze in embarrassment. I hadn’t thought this through when I was at the store. What the hell was I thinking? I wasn’t her real boyfriend, so why the fuck was I doing this? She probably thought I was mad weird.
“Yeah,” I said, sheepishly. “I know you like sunflowers since I see them in your office all the time, and I thought they would cheer you up.”
The silence that fell between us was deafening. I inhaled a shaky breath as I took care of the bags and put some stuff away. I’d also gotten a few things for the cat, like food and some other treats.
Every bit of my body tensed, and my eyes snapped to hers when I heard her sniff. I dropped everything quickly and closed the distance between us in two quick strides, gripping her shoulders. “Hey, hey. What’s wrong?”
“It’s stupid.” She tilted her head and wiped her eyes with her knuckles.
“If you’re crying, I’m sure it isn’t stupid.” I squeezed her shoulders in reassurance. “You can tell me.”
Her eyes brimmed with a fresh set of tears. “Uhm, no one has ever gotten me flowers.”
Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting.
“I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable, I?—”
She shook her head. “No.” Her eyes settled on me, theywere bright and,fuck, I was instantly enthralled. “Thank you, Henry.”
A tear escaped her, and I brushed it away with my thumb softly. “Any time, Kenny.”
She picked up the flowers and smelled them, letting out a wistful sigh. And though she tried her damndest to keep her smile in check, she failed.
My chest puffed with pride.
Damn. I fucking did that. I made Kennedy Jones feel good. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was dying to do it again.
SIXTEEN
KENNEDY
MY FAKE BOYFRIEND WAS UNFORTUNATELY SO VERY HOT.
After the longestweek of my life, I stood in front of a restaurant on my only day off to attend a lunch I wasn’t even sure I was welcome to.
