Page 45 of The Charmer

We walked at a normal pace through the ballroom. Everyone was too busy eating to pay attention to us except that fucker Deveraux.

"Kyle is watching us," I murmured.

"I’m so happy he saw the kiss."

I felt as if someone had punched me. Obviously, the kiss had been for show, but I’d enjoyed it. But by the sound of it, it was simply a means to an end for her. Which should have been fine. I’d suggested the whole damn ruse in the first place, after all. So why the fuck wasn't it sitting right with me?

I decided not to dissect it too much. It was very unlike me. The reason why I enjoyed life to the max was that I didn't sweat over the small things. Yet this didn't feel small at all. It felt monumental, and that was simply bizarre.

"My leg is much better. But I do want to change out of these heels before I break my neck."

"I'll get you home so you're comfortable," I assured her.

As promised, Xander was waiting with Georgie's coat outside the door. He held it for her, and she immediately slipped her arms inside it. Damn it, I’d wanted to do that.

Good grief, am I sixteen or what? Looking for an excuse to touch a woman. It was insane.

"Where did you park?" he asked me.

"Around the corner. Georgie, it's better if you stay here, and I’ll bring the car around," I said as we walked out to the yard slowly.

"Julian...," Xander warned.

"Ah, I still owe you that explanation," I said.

"That's right."

"Georgie, you need to know two things about my brother. He doesn't pull punches, and he doesn't mind putting people on the spot."

Xander looked at Georgie apologetically. "Sorry, Georgie. Nothing against you, but I don't like hearing secondhand information about my family. Usually we're very up-front with one another."

I sighed, figuring it was best to just get it out in the open. “The reason you don't know anything is that Georgie and I were simply pretending to be a couple."

Xander jerked his head back. "What's that even supposed to mean?"

"I used to date Kyle Deveraux," Georgie said quickly, and I realized she wanted to take the lead on this.

"That jackass? No way," Xander said, and now it was my turn to be shocked. My brother was a grump, but he was usually polite. Clearly, Kyle's reputation had made the rounds even outside the Quarter.

"Anyway, on Sazerac Day, he cornered me at Julian's bar. Your brother came up with this brilliant idea to help me get him off my back."

"The balcony thing makes more sense now," Xander muttered.

Georgie narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything. "Today, I came here with Julian because we assumed we'd run into some of the other clients who dropped Books & Beads. I actually got the Tableau family back tonight. But with Kyle, one thing led to another—”

“And now half of New Orleans high society thinks you two are together. Got it. Good luck with that." Xander chuckled.

I laughed, but Georgie asked, "What do you mean? Julian, is this going to be trouble for you?"

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it."

"Yes, do worry about it," Xander said, "because you know whose ears this will reach very soon."

"The family’s," I groaned.

"Yes. So if I were you, I’d call or drop by the house as quickly as possible. Not saying you should do that. But it's what I would do," Xander said. I could tell he was fighting laughter.

"Thanks for your input," I replied sardonically. "I'll think of something. Please keep Georgie company while I bring the car around."

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