Page 39 of Dirty Secret Love

Sutton’s expression softens a tad, though her words remain firm. “There’s a difference between standing your ground and retaliating.”

“I don’t get it,” I admit, my tone a mix of frustration and confusion. “To me, it felt like the same thing. If she’s going to act that way, someone has to stop her.”

Sutton stands still, lost in thought. I watch her for a moment, trying to decipher the plethora of emotions playing across her face. After what feels like an eternity, she looks up, her eyes meeting mine. “Maybe there’s a better way than yours or mine,” she muses. “I’ll just have to find it.”

I nod slowly, appreciating that she’s not just going to let them continue to walk all over her. “So, what do you say? Shall we figure it out together?”

She sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose, looking wearied by the weight of the conversation. “I’ll navigate my way through it.”

I lean in, trying to catch her gaze. “But we’re a team, remember?”

Her voice drops, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “You’ll be leaving eventually.”

“Who knows when that’ll happen, but when it does I want to make sure that you won’t have to scout for another pretend fiancé to replace me.”

A smirk dances on her lips, playful and teasing. “What if I promise you’ll be my one and only fake fiancé?”

Feigning dramatic relief, I place a hand over my heart. “Oh, Sutton, you have no idea how special that makes me feel.”

She chuckles. “It’s the least I can offer.”

I step closer, our faces inches apart. “For now, though, we remain partners in crime.”

She quirks an eyebrow. “And what, pray tell, is our crime?”

I open my mouth, about to playfully suggest that we search for the nearest surface and discuss those positions I read in that steamy romance book. “Well, currently it’s that you and I aren’t?—”

“Coming through, in case you two are naked,” a female voice interrupts as I’m about to remind Sutton that we’re supposed to be in her bed, naked.

What the fuck is going on? When did people forget to knock on the fucking door. It’s not that complicated.

Sutton turns. “In the hallway, Gina. What’s happening?”

A few seconds later one of her best friends is right in front of us. It’s no other than my fake cousin. I can’t help but chuckle.

Regina is giving me a quizzical look. “What’s so funny?”

“I find my life ironic,” I respond. Sutton crosses her arms. I think she’s expecting an explanation, so I continue. “Well, I’m currently with my fake fiancée and my fake cousin just came to visit us.” I gesture between the three of us.

Regina rolls her eyes and glances at Sutton. “This little charade is a bad idea,” she states, nodding toward the new home office. “At least he made sure to clean that mess, but still. This is going to end in tragedy. You can still get out of it. Travel, visit some city to get inspired, or just move back to New York.”

Sutton exhales deeply. “I just wish you’d be a tad more supportive, Gina,” she says, not addressing the part of the traveling, returning to New York, or even getting inspired. Inspired for what? Being a librarian?

I’m not belittling her job. It’s important but why would she need inspiration?

“I was here helping with your house, wasn’t I?” Regina retorts.

“Well yes, but . . .” Sutton hesitates. “It’ll be fine, have a little more faith.”

“This isn’t a novel where you can write a happy ending. It’s real life.” Gina takes a step forward, her gaze fixed on Sutton with concern. “Look, River’s not a permanent fixture. He’s leaving. Maybe not tomorrow, but one day he’ll go back to his life, like everyone else. What’s going to happen later?”

“Did you lecture Wren when she decided to date Drake?” I ask Regina.

“Drake is different,” she proclaims, her eyes challenging me, probably demanding my understanding.

“And in what way is that?” I ask, a hint of impatience in my tone. Without giving her a chance to answer, I continue, “Because he’s got an M.D. tacked onto his name?”

She huffs. “Well, yes. He’s dependable and committed, especially to Wren and Milo. And when you’re gone, having shattered Sutton’s heart, who will help her face the scrutiny of her family? The disappointment of not settling down with ‘the right guy’?”

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