Page 30 of The Heir's Bargain

I pursed my lips, thinking it through.

One secret would not kill me. If Terin were in the same position as me, he would do the same thing.

Wouldn't he?

"We tell no one," I agreed.

Dani nodded, satisfied. "Rule number three: no kissing orholding hands or?—"

"Anything that would make it appear like we are courting one another?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Correct."

"Dani, you do see the problem with that, don't you?"

"What do you—" her hazel eyes widened, the gold within them shining as the sun touched her face. Her soft, brown cheeks reddened. "Oh."

"Oh."

She cleared her throat and rolled her shoulders back, nodding once. "Only necessary touches, then."

I saluted her and said, "I will do my utmost best only to touch you when necessary, Captain."

"Good. It's a?—"

"Wait," I said, interrupting.

"What?" Dani turned around, hands landing on her hips and impatience painting her countenance.

"Don't I get to make a rule?"

"Why? More than three rules would be too many."

I cocked a brow. "Just one? It's important."

Dani rubbed her temples. "Fine."

"All right, last rule." I folded my hands on the table. "By no means, or at any point, may you fall in love with me."

For a moment, Dani stared, unblinking. Then, suddenly, she burst into laughter, bending at the waist. When she looked me over and saw that my expression was even, she asked, "You're serious?"

I nodded. "We're friends, Dani. I would like us to stay that way."

"Trust me, Fynn, I won't fall in love with you."

It might have been pointless to add, but I valued Dani's friendship more than words could explain. Courting someone, whether for pretend or not, was always bound to get complicated at some point. We needed to ensure that we preserved our relationship.

I extended a hand. "Then it's a deal?"

As Dani stared at my outstretched hand, I would give anything to get a closer look at what she was thinking, at what was going on in her mind. But then again, I could barely understand what was happening in mine.

To make this believable, Dani and I would have to put on a great show for not only the leadership, but our friends and family as well.

If Dani was any other woman, I would have never suggested this. At the end of this, we could part ways amicably and maintain that friendship.

As long as we stuck to the rules.

Dani's fingers wrapped around mine, and with one shake, our bargain was sealed.

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