Page 61 of The Fine Art of Faking It
Brave and ballsy Eden Moody was suddenly staring into her popcorn as if it were the most fascinating food in the universe. She took in a breath and blew it out. And then she was drawing herself in, behind those tall walls she’d built because of him.
“So, do you think the Beautification Committee is trying to frame me or was that just a really unlucky byproduct? Because if I’m being investigated for arson, wouldn’t it be harder for you to fall madly in love with me?” she asked, changing the subject.
The mention of the fire had his eye twitching in response. Sometimes he forgot why they were doing what they were doing. Sometimes he got caught up in the smiles and the intimate touches without thinking about their primary objective. The absolute irresponsibility of using arson in matchmaking… well, it was imperative that they dismantle the organized insanity.
“I don’t think any sane person can begin to understand the motivations of the Beautification Committee. But I’m not letting you go down for arson. I promise you that, Eden.”
She gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”
“What are friends for?” He offered her his green tea icy and was gratified when she took a sip from the straw.
The lights dimmed around them.
Sharing snacks and conversation. Cuddled up together in the dark. Yeah, he’d just taken Eden on their firstrealdate.
25
“Ineed you to come to the brewery tonight and drink all the alcohol they put in front of me,” Eva announced on speakerphone.
Eden was elbow deep in flaky pastry dough. “Is this a joke?”
“No! You owe me. You stole my B.C. binder. And I still haven’t told anyone about the B-A-B-Y.”
“Most of Blue Moon knows how to spell,” Eden said dryly.
“I’m watching Lydia. With siblings like Aurora and Evan, who knows what this kid can spell.” Lydia was a baby that babbled and drooled and batted her impossibly long lashes at Beckett and Gia Pierce, keeping her parents firmly wrapped around her chubby little fingers.
“I was planning to get a head start on my kitchen inventory,” Eden began, searching for an excuse. She and Davis had been busy traipsing all over town so Blue Moon could witness their fake love in all its faux glory. He had a meeting tonight, and she’d been looking forward to a night in with no pretenses.
“Eden!” Eva screeched. “I am begging you as my friend to help me cover my secret B-A-B-Y and come hang out with us. I’m sure you can pry your lips off of Davis’s face for two whole hours. Especially since I know he’s meeting with the Pierces tonight about wines and beer.”
“Two hours?” Eden clarified.
“Yes!AndI’ll buy you dinner.”
Eden sighed, sending up a cloud of flour. “Ugh. Fine. But I sort of hate you for all of this.”
“You can’t hate me. I’m part of the reason you’re finally swooning over Davis Gates. I basically did you a huge, inappropriately invasive favor.”
Eden hmm-ed her response. “What are we wearing?”
* * *
John Pierce Brewswas a welcome respite from the biting November wind. The old stone barn had been renovated by the Pierce brothers and turned into a comfortable gathering space with craft beers and farm-to-table food. Eden shrugged out of her coat at the host stand and waved to Cheryl, the tattooed bartender. Cheryl winked and pointed to a long table in the corner.
The bar area was loud and crowded, a sign of small business success that Eden could appreciate. It wasn’t long ago that this very barn sat abandoned and empty. Now it was part of the fabric of Blue Moon socialization.
And at the very center was the Pierce family. The Pierce-Merrill-Cardona women were an intimidating sight. Blonde and chic Summer sat at the head of the table nursing a glass of wine and toying with the earrings that dangled from her lobes. Joey with her model-worthy resting bitch face sat on Summer’s right. She was still dressed for riding in jodhpurs and boots, but she’d yanked her long dark hair out of its perennial ponytail. Emma, Eva, and Gia were red-headed versions of the same fine-boned, ivory-skinned heritage. Emma was the edgy, fashionable one with a short, trendy haircut. Gia looked as though she’d been born in Blue Moon with her long curls and sexy tunic. Eva looked… well, mostly relieved when she spotted Eden approaching. She was dressed in a chunky oversized sweater the same color as her pale cheeks.
“Eden!” They greeted her enthusiastically, and for a moment Eden was actually glad she came. It had been too long since she’d gotten an evening out with girlfriends. Sammy and Layla’s schedules were a hindrance to any actual social life.
“Hi, everyone,” she said, taking the empty seat next to Eva. Eva nudged her beer toward Eden. “What did I miss?” she asked.
“You missed Emma whining that we made her hang out here,” Gia teased.
“It’s my night off, and you guys made me come to work,” Emma groaned and picked up her water. “All I want to do is get up and yell at everyone.”
“That’s why we made her sit with her back to the room,” Summer explained.
