by Jan Hinds
Cooper stilled and became so quiet she sat up to look into his eyes.
“Were you intimate with him?” he asked.
She tipped her head up to look in his eyes. With a deadpan expression, she said, “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve never gone to Cleveland with Ted or anyone else.”
He gave her a puzzled look and when he realized what she was saying, he shook with laughter. He kissed the top of her head. “Oh, Paige. I think I’m in serious trouble with you. It’s either the drugs or I’m not quick witted enough to keep up with your sense of humor.”
He got quiet. “What about this Dan fellow?”
She sat up. “He’s been my brother’s best friend since forever. I had a huge crush on him for most of my life.” She shrugged. “He actually saved me from my traumatic high school date disaster. I’ve hardly seen him since he went away to college. He works somewhere in the Virginia area now.”
They sat in silence for a few moments. Cooper softly stroked her arm, unleashing a wave of goosebumps. “As for our families,” he hesitated, “I’ll do whatever you want. I’d like to go along with the engagement pretense, without making it official. I know my parents and that’s the only way they’ll let go of me. We can tell them we plan on a long engagement and then, after I recover, we can tell them it didn’t work out and that we just want to be friends.”
She stood and started pacing again, wringing her hands. “I don’t know if I can do that. It’s tearing me up inside that we’re lying to everyone.”
She yawned and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. By his own admission, he had no romantic interest in her, yet twice his kisses nearly melted her into a puddle. The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. “I don’t even know why I’m here. You’re a grown man. If you want to live alone, you can hire home health care professionals. You don’t need me. You don’t even want me…” Her voice faded to a whisper.
She squared her shoulders. “The things you can do for me I can do for myself. I can find another job. I can take out another student loan. My survival isn’t dependent on you. So tell me, why should I stay?”
Cooper swung his legs over the side of the bed, wincing as he sat up. “Please, Paige, if you want to come clean with our parents, I’ll support that. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable here. I simply don’t want to hire a stranger. And I don’t want to be alone. I need your help with my business. I trust you.”
She folded her arms. “Make it worth my while.”
His blasted eyebrow quirked up and she fought the urge to grovel at his feet and agree to everything he wanted. “What will it take? What do you want?”
She paced from the window to the door. “We may have to tell our parents the truth. I’m a terrible liar.”
Cooper’s shoulders sagged. “My parents are going to be hurt when they find out I’ve been deceiving them. Can we keep up the fake engagement, just for them?”
“You heard those messages. Do you think our mothers will keep a secret like that from each other?” She sat down next to him and buried her face in her hands. “Oh, I’d rather be drawn and quartered than put up with the confrontation with my mother this will cause.”
He folded his arms. “You’re a grown woman. Don’t take it from her.”
She looked at him like he was crazy until she realized he was dishing the same argument back to her. “Touché. So we’re both afraid of our mother’s for entirely different reasons. I hate it that your reasons are so much more noble than mine.”
They sat silently next to each other for several minutes. He nudged her shoulder with his. “So, do you still want to tell them the truth?”
She breathed out a defeated groan. “No, but I’ve never intentionally lied to my dad before. This is killing me.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “I promise to do everything I can to be the best fake fiancé you’ve ever had.”
“Right. You’ll be the only fake fiancé I’ll ever have. The next time I get engaged, it will be for keeps.”
After a silent minute, he asked, “What are your other concerns?”
“I want to be your partner, or at least after graduation, I want a job as an interior designer at Jennings Design Services.”
“Done. I was going to ask you to lend your design skills anyway. Anything else?”
Her lips parted and she dropped her hands to her lap. “No. I think that covers it. I’ll work as your personal assistant until graduation. In the meantime, I’ll help you through your surgery. I do have one question. How are we going to handle dates?”
His eyebrow shot skyward again. “I imagine we can go out whenever we want.”
“I figured that. What I’m wondering is, if one of us has a date over, does the other one have to stay in their room?”
He sat immobile, his lips pressed together in a thin line, his jaw clenched. When he spoke his voice was harsh and almost sounded angry. “I thought you were going to break up with Ted. I figured you wouldn’t be dating anyone else while you live here.”
She raised both her eyebrows. “Why would you expect me to do that? You don’t have any interest in me in that way.” She hated stooping to sarcasm. “What makes you think I’d even consider cutting ties with someone who is?”
He turned to face her, pressing the same point again. “I thought you said you were planning to break up with him anyway.”
Paige stood in front of Cooper. She planted her feet shoulder-width apart and put her hands on her hips. “That’s not the point. I assume that you’ll still date. Why would you expect to have any say in who I date? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.”
Cooper raked his fingers through his dark brown hair, leaving it in a wild, wavy mess. “Yes, I’m jealous. We’re engaged.”
She stomped her foot. “No. We are not.”
Cooper’s brow wrinkled. “No. We’re not. I’m sorry. I must be—I mean it must be the meds and all the phone calls.”
“Right. Well you should get to bed and get some sleep. Perhaps things will be clearer in the morning.”
He crawled back under the covers and she turned off the light switch at the door. The light from the hallway spilled into the room, casting shadows over his handsome features. He nestled into the pillow, fatigue and the meds winning over wakefulness. “I’m sorry I lied to you,” he said with a sigh.
Paige gasped and walked back to the bedside. “What did you lie about?”
His voice muffled as he nestled his head into the pillow. “I think you’re beautiful. Your smile, your soft skin, and your gorgeous, blue eyes…I could get lost in those eyes…”
She thought he’d fallen asleep and couldn’t resist kissing him on his cheek.
Half asleep, he said, “I’ve dreamed about kissing you. Now I can’t imagine ever kissing anyone else…”
She backed away from him, certain her face could be substituted for an Olympic torch. “I don’t know what you’re hoping for from me, but you should know, I promised my dad a long time ago that I’d wait until after I was married to have sex.”
Cooper’s eyes popped open. He sat up and threw the covers off. “Paige, I’ll help you keep that promise.”
“Will you promise to stay where you are if I tell you something?”
He sat on the side of the bed and gripped the edge of the mattress. “Yes.”
“When we kissed I felt like I could spontaneously combust.” She didn’t wait for his reaction and ran down the hall, shutting and locking her bedroom door.
She curled up under the soft sheets and closed her eyes, the memory of his words and kisses washing over her. Suddenly she opened her eyes wide with the realization she’d left her phone in his room.
She had to let her father know she was safe. Which meant she had to go back to Cooper’s room.
Perhaps she could sneak in and get her phone after he fell asleep. It might be cowardly, but it was the smart alternative. She didn’t trust herself to overcome her in
tense urge to launch herself into his arms.
Chapter Five
Wow. Cooper blinked in the darkness. He didn’t want a relationship. Why was it taking every ounce of will to keep from going to Paige? He wasn’t supposed to feel like this. His heart raced with desire. This wasn’t turning out as he initially envisioned. When he first got the idea of partnering with Paige, he anticipated a platonic relationship.
Who was he kidding? From early in their association, her positive energy and humor washed away his depression and had nothing to do with physical attraction. At first. She’d quickly earned the title of friend.
He didn’t want the complications of a relationship after his past courtship nightmares, and she seemed like a safe bet. Safe. That’s what he felt with her. He’d sworn off female entanglements, determined to focus on building his business. Her quick wit and stellar talent for interior design made her the perfect choice to help him establish his business and extricate himself from his parents’ hovering care.
She was sweet and kind. He couldn’t bear the obvious hurt of her thinking he didn’t find her attractive. Had he ruined everything by admitting the impact her kisses had on him?
Her natural charm and charisma were enhanced by the fact that she had no clue how beautiful she was, inside and out. He loved that she had curves, and a part of him liked that she didn’t turn heads like other girls he’d dated.
Certainly not like Suzanne.
He and Suzanne were two months away from tying the knot when he was injured. She left him before he was out of his first surgery. She ran off to Vegas and eloped with Sawyer Pierce, his former teammate and ex-best friend. Though their marriage barely lasted past Cooper’s own time in the recovery room, the betrayal by both of them still stung. He swore he’d never get involved with anyone like Suzanne ever again. That he’d never open up his heart to that kind of pain. Never let anyone get that close to him.
And then he met Paige Vaughn.
Her bright, friendly disposition charged the atmosphere around her. He’d spent months in depression until her persistent humor and friendly nature melted his heart. The punch to his gut that he’d felt when she said she had a boyfriend, forced him to admit she’d become important to him. How had he let himself become vulnerable again? He didn’t want a relationship.
He wanted Paige, though.
He should have never kissed her, but when the girls talking to him looked at her with scorn, his protective instincts kicked in and he drew her into his arms. What he hadn’t expected was to have her kiss rock him to his core. He knew he was in trouble when he kissed her in front of his parents’ house and his reaction was even more intense.
He ached to hold her. Kiss her. He wanted her more than any other woman he’d ever known. He laid back down and splayed his hand over the empty spot next to him, longing to reach out and find her soft curves beside him. He felt her phone on the bed instead.
She still hadn’t answered the calls or sent any texts. Her parents must be frantic.
Text 1—to Stuart Vaughn: Mr. Vaughn. I want to assure you that Paige is fine. We’ve had a long day and will finish moving in tomorrow. You and Mrs. Vaughn are welcome to join us along with my parents for dinner on Sunday afternoon. I want to assure you Paige is safe and well. I also want you to know, though we share a house, she has her own room and I promise you I will in no way take advantage of Paige’s kind and loving nature. I look forward to meeting you and Mrs. Vaughn. (Cooper Jennings)
Cooper read the text twice more, forcing his groggy mind to focus, before he sent it. He knew he was still foggy from the pain meds and he risked Paige’s anger by using her phone without permission. He also knew if he’d learned his daughter had moved in with a man he didn’t know, he’d be beside himself with worry.
Text 2—to Tina: I want to assure you that I will cover the cost of Paige’s rent through the end of the year. The full payment of Paige’s portion will be paid on Monday. Our home is open for all Paige’s friends to visit and I hope you will continue your association with her. (Cooper Jennings)
Cooper had no illusions of kindness toward Paige’s ‘boyfriend. Closing his eyes, he relived the feel of her lips against his, the way she fit in his arms, the way she trembled as she clutched his sweater.
An unjustified possessiveness filled him as he thought of this Ted or any other man ever touching her again. He ignored the warning voice telling him it was a mistake as he sent a text to Ted.
Text 3-to Ted: Thank you for your kind offer to celebrate your accomplishments with you. I’m afraid I will have to decline. After serious reflection, I’ve come to the conclusion that we have no future together. This realization is compounded by the fact that I’m engaged to marry a wonderful man. I wish you success in your future and I’m sure you also wish the same for me.
Paige walked back into his bedroom right after he touched the send prompt.
“What are you doing with my phone?” she asked, snapping it out of his hand.
Feigning fatigue, he yawned and nestled down under his comforter. “I didn’t want your father worrying about you so I sent him a text. I invited your parents to join us for dinner on Sunday afternoon. We’ll invite my parents too.”
Her phone pinged an incoming text. Paige looked at the screen and her mouth dropped open in shock. “Why would my father text back Screw you?”
Cooper yawned. “I think you’ll find that’s from Ted.”
“What did you do?” She read the text Cooper had sent and her hands fisted. “You had no right to do that. I would never have been that unkind. And who is this wonderful man I’m engaged to?”
Cooper lifted his sleepy head and looked at her with heavily lidded eyes. “Hey, I am wonderful.” He shifted to a contrite expression. “I guess I overstepped my bounds a little.”
“You think?” She folded her arms across her chest. “Cooper, I honestly don’t know what to think of you. Part of me wants to jump into your arms and another part wants to strangle you.”
Cooper held up his index finger. “I vote for the first option.” He raised his eyebrow. “Do you want me to contact Ted again for you?”
Her blue eyes flashed in anger. “I think you’ve done quite enough on that front for one evening. I’ll try to figure out what to do about Ted tomorrow when I can think more clearly.”
He stuck out his lower lip. “I’m sorry I made you angry.”
Her stiff posture relaxed. “What am I going to do with you? You have me so confused. I’m so tired I can’t think straight. I’m going to bed.”
“Good night, Paige. Sleep well.”
Chapter Six
“Who are you and what have you done with my friend and roommate?” Tina Pruitt crossed her arms and studied Paige with raised eyebrows.
Paige’s hands dropped to her sides. “It all happened so fast. I still keep wondering if I imagined it, but there he is.” She motioned through her open bedroom door toward the kitchen where she’d left Cooper packing up her set of mismatched china.
Angie tapped her temple as if deep in thought. “Hmm, Ted Flannigan, geek extraordinaire, or Cooper Jennings, hunk supreme. Tough choice.”
“You two are too hard on Ted. He’s not that bad. There just isn’t any zing between us,” Paige said. She dipped her head, knowing her cheeks were splotched with a bright, pink blush.
Tina’s mouth dropped open. “Are you telling us you have zing with Cooper? How did you find that out? Dish, woman.”
Paige felt her face flush crimson. In a hushed voice she said, “He kissed me twice.” She squinted to the ceiling in thought. “I guess three or four times if you count soft pecks on the lips, but two kisses were real zingers.”
Angie’s eyebrows shot up. “What—How—I mean who initiated these kisses?”
“Like I’d ever have the nerve to kiss him first? He did. The first time he blindsided me and said it was to discourage three Barbie replicas who were hovering around him. The second time I had a little warning, but it was to co
nvince his parents that we’re a couple.”
Like bobble-head dolls, her friends looked at each other and then back at Paige. Tina held up her palms and crooked her fingers in a gimme motion. “So? Did it work?”
“Oh, it worked all right. They think we’re engaged. Not only that, they called my parents. My whole family thinks we’re getting married.”
With wide eyes and her mouth gaping, Angie said, “Petunias, you’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. No joke,” Paige said with a shake of her head.
Angie plopped down on Paige’s bed. “Daffodils. What did your dad say?”
Paige dodged the concerned gazes of her friends. “I haven’t actually talked to anyone. Cooper sent a text and invited our parents to dinner tomorrow. That should be interesting. Angie, I was wondering if you’d help me put together a meal. Something I can just toss in the oven and that will make me look like a genius in the kitchen?”
Angie shrugged. “Sure. I’d be glad to help. Too bad I can’t come help tomorrow. I’d love to be a fly on the wall and watch this dinner party play out. Are you going to tell them the truth?”
Paige nudged Angie out of the way and yanked the sheets and blanket off her bed. “I don’t know. I’m not sure what the truth is. Last night he said he couldn’t imagine ever kissing anyone else again. Of course, he was drugged up on pain killers and barely awake when he said that. Earlier in the evening he told me he didn’t have any romantic interest in me. I don’t know what to believe.”
Angie put her hands on her hips. “How can you lie to your parents?”
Paige raised her eyebrows to Angie. “I was hoping you could give me some tips, since you’ve been lying to yours for years.”
Angie grew quiet.
Remorse settled in the pit of Paige’s stomach. “I’m sorry Angie. I didn’t mean it like that. You’ve never told us why you don’t want your dad to know you’re a pre-vet major.” She took a deep breath. “Am I wrong to assume you’ve been lying to your parents?”