Page 31 of Fake Fiancée for the Grump

With a gentle tilt of her head, she raises her gaze, soft eyes meeting mine. The curve of her lips draws my attention, the last rays of sunlight adding a radiance to her skin.

I inhale sharply, then exhale. "I had been recently promoted to sergeant and given a squad of eleven men. It was everything I’d been working toward for years. We were assigned a reconnaissance mission in one of the outlying towns of Sudan. It was supposed to be a quick trip to talk to some of the locals.”

Pausing to gather myself, I look out over the balcony. Lights begin twinkling in homes as the sun sets on the horizon.

“I should have picked up on the body language of the people. Their eyes darted wildly as they cracked their front doors open. I just thought they didn’t want to be seen with the US military, but it was more. Apparently, some rebels had been sweeping through town, terrorizing the residents. Before I knew it, machine gun fire rang out in every direction. None of my men stood a chance.”

She takes my hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “I only survived because I bent down to tie my shoe. Bullet holes plastered the home behind me, just above my head. My injury wasn’t even from a gunshot. It was from missing a step while running away from the shooting. I’m such a coward.”

“No, Jackson. There’s nothing else you could’ve done. You needed to find a safe place until reinforcements got there. If you hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here either.”

She rounds the table to sit beside me. When Brinn wraps her arms around my back, pulling me close, my body melts into hers. We stay like that for a few minutes before she breaks away.

Our heads are still so close I can smell her lavender shampoo, feel the warmth of her breath. I stare at her lips as she wets them.

Is that an invitation to kiss her?

There’s a shared vulnerability between us, neither one moving away. She understands the depth of my pain, understands me like no one ever has before. Brinn isn’t scared of the scars that run deep inside me.

I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. This time, she doesn’t stop me. She reaches out to touch my face, her thumb caressing my cheek. That’s enough for me to move in closer, to––

“Jackson!” My name rings out. I feel a slap on my back.

Whipping around, I see Trevor. His eyes gleam. At least breaking up our “almost” kiss should help convince him our relationship is real.

"Trevor, I’m surprised to see you here," I lie.

He chuckles, crossing his arms. "Yes. What are the odds? I came a day early for a business meeting. I didn’t know you’d be at this hotel too.”

Sure.

“You came early for the baby shower tomorrow I’m guessing?”

"Yeah. Treated Brinn to a spa day."

"Well, aren’t you the sweetest," he says, squeezing my shoulders a little too hard. “You’re a lucky lady, Brinn.”

Brinn lips go taut. She doesn’t respond.

“I’m the lucky one, Trevor.”

Seemingly satisfied with his interruption, Trevor leaves just as quickly as he came without a goodbye. I smirk. That actually couldn’t have worked out better. His suspicions should be put to rest. But now our “almost” moment hangs in the air, neither one of us bringing it up.

Brinn nudges me on the shoulder. "Thanks for trusting me enough to open up about your leg."

“Thanks for listening. Should we go?” I offer my hand to help her stand.

As we walk, her sweater slips even farther off her shoulder. I want desperately to move it back in place but think better of it. Too much, too soon. I still don’t know what’s going on in her head, anyway. But tonight was real for me, clearing up any lingering doubts about how I feel. I don’t want this to end.

We reach her room together. “This was a… very memorable day,” she says, an adorable smile on her face.

“Yes, very memorable,” I echo. “I’ll see you in the morning. Good night.” I slowly retreat, heading into the living room.

“Jackson.”

I whip around. “Yes.”

“I…” she looks down at the floor. “Um. Never mind. Good night.” She walks to her door and closes it gently.

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