Page 54 of Pretend Girlfriend

“I owe you an apology,” he said after a few beats.

“For what?”

He gave me a look. “You know. The whole blackmail thing.”

“Oh, right. That.”

“I was an asshole,” he admitted. “There’s been so much pressure because of this wedding, and then my girlfriend and I broke up, and I knew that the wedding and honeymoon trip were going to be nightmares for me. My parents have been insufferable since Bradyn got engaged, constantly prodding about when I was going to settle down, and why I haven’t found the right person yet. I took it out on you, even though you’ve been nothing short of amazing throughout all of this.”

“You weren’t horrible,” I started to say.

Landon emphatically shook his head. “You’ve seen the worst version of me this past week. Now that the wedding is here, I’ve realized that. I just wanted to admit that I was being a shitty person, and that you didn’t deserve it.”

“That’s… really big of you.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.

“I’m going to make sure you get that job,” Landon said. “And I’m going to talk to Phil and make sure they don’t low-ball you on the offer. We’ll get you a salary on the higher end of the range.”

“I really appreciate that.”

Landon shrugged. “You deserve it. You have everyone here fooled. You’ve even fooled me a few times.”

I thought about how I was pressed against his hard body, with my breasts against his chest and his bulge brushing against my thigh. When I stopped thinking about it, I could almost fool myself that we were together.

“When all of this is over,” I said, “what are you going to tell your parents?”

“That you cheated on me.”

I gave a start. “Hey!”

“Just kidding.” He stared past me, lost in thought. “I haven’t really considered the off-ramp. I’ll probably wait a few weeks and then say that we have irreconcilable differences of opinion.”

“You can tell them I’m a witch who worships a demonic tree goddess,” I suggested.

“And that’s better than cheating on me?”

“Obviously!”

Landon gave a genuine smile again. “Honestly, I’ll probably just say that we disagree about kids.”

“That’s an easy out,” I agreed. “I don’t think I want kids.”

“Are you serious, or are you acting right now?”

“I’m serious. The idea of motherhood terrifies me,” I said.

Landon blinked in surprise. “How about that. That’s basically my opinion. Everyone says I’ll eventually get the desire…”

“…but it never comes!” I finished for him. “Same. I know my biological clock is ticking, but I just don’t want to make that commitment. Not unless I want it with all of my heart.”

“Funny that this is what we agree on, and now we have to pretend to disagree.”

“I’ll take the hit. Tell your family I want exactly six kids.”

“A whole hockey team’s worth,” Landon said.

I gave a start. “Exactly. Five skaters and a goaltender. When I was younger, back when I thought I wanted a big family, I fantasized about having enough kids to field a hockey team. My future husband and I would referee.”

“Who would your hockey super-family play?” Landon asked.

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