Page 16 of Faking It with my Billionaire Grump

Is this how karma works? Someone does you wrong, and you get to watch them wallow in pain? There’s a bit of satisfaction, seeing her getting her comeuppance, but I can’t say I’m revelingin it. On the other hand, perhaps a little bit of payback might be nice.

“What do you need me to do?” I ask. I’m not committing to anything until I know the details.

Tilly looks up with hope dancing in her eyes. “Just a date,” she blurts quickly. “That’s all. One date. I just need Bryan to see that I’ve moved on and I’m not interested in him anymore.”

I look at her for a long moment, trying to read her face. Tilly was never the lying kind, but then, I’ve already concluded that I didn’t really know the girl I was dating. Well, not at the end, anyway.

“One date,” I confirm.

She nods eagerly. “I swear, that’s all I’m asking. The truth is, I’m done with relationships, but words are just not enough for this guy.”

I’m not exactly thrilled at the idea, but I suppose I could do with some help with the horses, especially since Greta’s injury.

I move from one foot to the other. “And how is this going to work? How is Bryan going to see us?”

“I’ll tell him,” Tilly replies quickly. Clearly, she’s already thought this through. “I’ll text him and tell him I’ve moved on, and then I’ll tell him I’m going out to dinner with you. I know Bryan. He won’t be able to help but show up.”

I’m still teetering on whether agreeing to this makes me a complete madman. My life has moved on. I’m in a far better place now. I’m settled and happy. I don’t do drama. So why am I even considering this?

Because it’s her. You know that.

Even after all this time, I clearly still have a soft spot for Tilly. It’s just buried in the deepest part of my being. I can see it flickering, this tiny spark. It’s the only thing that has me even considering this ridiculous proposal.

“When?” I ask.

“As soon as possible,” she comes back. “The sooner he sees I’ve moved on, the sooner he’ll leave.”

And when he leaves, Tilly will leave me alone and things will get back to normal, right? She’s only staying at her parents’ until she figures out what she’s going to do. Or at least, that’s my assumption. Her job is in the city. She’ll have to move back there eventually.

Fine. Let’s get this over with.

“I can do tomorrow night,” I say unenthusiastically.

“Perfect,” she breathes. “Thank you.”

I give her a nod. At least one of us is excited.

“So, what do I have to do in return?” she asks.

I shrug. “I’ll think of something.”

It’s all a bit sudden, and I need to think of what I trust her enough to do. A city girl on a ranch is just asking for trouble.

Oh, come on. She’s not a city girl, and you know it.

No, I suppose not.

“Where are we going on this date?” I ask.

She shrugs. “We could go to the bar. They still serve food, right?”

“Sure.”

I still think I’m crazy for doing this, and yet I find myself telling her that I’ll pick her up at eight. After more grateful thanks, Tilly heads back to her truck, leaving me wondering if I haven’t just walked into the Twilight Zone.

From the minute I get up the next morning, I’m distracted. It’s not like me at all, but when I throw the chickens’ feed to the pigs, put a saddle on my horse backward, and think I’ve lostthe keys to my truck, only to find them in the ignition, I know something’s definitely not right.

Pull yourself together, Jake! It’s just dinner.

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