Page 29 of The Christmas Playbook
Panic forces me to stop walking. “You want to break up?”
Shit.
My heart jolts, and I fear it’s the beginning of an upcoming heartbreak from my fake boyfriend breaking up with me, which means I’m more delusional than I thought.
“Okay,” I start babbling. “We will need a plan. Maybe make a scene? We can get into a big fight.” My teeth sink into my lip as I think of reasons for our fight. “Maybe you can say that you don’t want a commitment?—”
Rhys grips my chin, his hold firm but steady.
Silence takes over.
His thumb frees my lip from my teeth, and his eyes shift back and forth between mine. “I don’t want to break up. We haven’t even had sex yet.”
He’s joking.
I think.
He gently skims his thumb against my lip. “I expected a refusal or, at the very least, a scoff.” His eyebrow rises beneath his beanie. “Interesting.”
The snow under my boots makes a noise with my shifting. I wouldn’t be surprised if it started to melt from the heat brewing between my legs at the thought of having sex with Rhys.
I clear my throat. “No breakup, then. What’s the problem?”
Rhys glances back and forth. “You know how I came here with my friends? Well, they’re starting to notice my more-than-usual absence, and Briar brought up coming to this thing. I couldn’t really get out of it since I haven’t spent any time with them.”
Oh.Oh.
“And they can’t really see you with me and my family, or else they’ll be wondering why you suddenly have a girlfriend,” I finish.
He nods. “And your family can’t see me with them and not you.”
“Shit,” I mutter.
Suddenly, I feel bad. I’ve been monopolizing his time for this lie. I didn’t even consider that he came to hang out with his friends.
My shoulders fall, and I drop my gaze to our boots. “I’m sorry, Rhys. This is all my fault.”
“Hey.” He gives me a little shake. “None of that.”
His finger lands on my chin, and he tips my head back. I stare into his eyes and instantly feel calmer.
“Playing the role of your boyfriend has made this trip interesting.” His grin is infectious. “Plus, I got to finger you on the slopes. No regrets there. Now, we just need to keep up appearances for your family while avoiding my friends, and I need to slip away to show my face with them. It’s doable. Like juggling. Or lying to your family about being able to snowboard.”
I huff with annoyance, but it’s fake. I don’t know how he does it, but I lose my bad mood in his presence.
“Oh shit.” Rhys grabs my hand.
Suddenly, we’re running.
Me and running on the slippery snow?
Is he out of his mind?
“Rhys!” I squeal. “I’m going to fall!”
“Not on my watch.” He jerks to a stop and bends down in front of me. “Climb on, baby. We gotta take cover.”
“What?” I peer over my shoulder, and my gaze lands on a group of people our age. “Are those your friends?”
