Page 40 of Faking It with my Billionaire Grump

“Mel told me,” I say.

“Figures. I’d be pretty surprised if someone hadn’t mentioned it.” He pauses for a second and then says, “I don’t advertise it, Tilly.”

I’m confused by his words. “You live in Baskington. Surely, everyone knows.”

“I’m not talking about the people here.”

“Right,” I say, understanding his meaning. In other words, keep my mouth shut about what I know, especially to the likes of Bryan.

Thinking about Bryan, not that I enjoy doing so, Jake’s suggestion returns to my mind. I’m pretty sure he was just joking, but what if he wasn’t? And what if his flippant suggestion is the answer to my prayers, the answer to finally getting rid of the control freak who continues to try to ruin my life?

I want to ask him, but I’m terrified. What if he laughs in my face? Or worse, what if he looks horrified? I’ve been through enough these last nine months, and in the most unusual of circumstances, I’ve attached myself to Jake again. I trust him. I look up to him. Literally and figuratively. Will I ruin all that?

You’re overthinking this. He agreed to the fake engagement. What’s the difference?

A whole lot, I reckon. But I have to ask him. I just have to know.

Taking a deep breath because I might be about to make the biggest fool of myself ever, not that I haven’t been doing a great job of that lately, I begin.

“You know what you said earlier in the truck…?”

“About getting married?” Jake says.

I’m stunned that he knows exactly what I am referring to. There was a time when I wouldn’t have been surprised at all. There was a time when we both knew what the other was thinking all the time.

“Yes. That.”

He stands and turns to look at me. His eyes are soft, and yet, I can see him searching my face, like he’s trying to figure something out.

“What about it?”

“Were you just joking?” I ask timidly.

Again, he gives me a long look. “Would you prefer that I was joking?”

It has occurred to me since I’ve been coming to the ranch that Jake is far smarter than I ever remembered. Even now, he’s throwing the ball back into my court so he doesn’t say the wrong thing. But this isn’t helping.

“That’s not what I’m asking, Jake.”

“You want to know if I would consider a fake marriage to get rid of Bryan?” he says calmly, like it’s something one might discuss every day of the week.

I nod. “Yes, I do.”

16

Jake

There’s so much Iwant to say in this moment, but I don’t think Tilly’s ready to hear it. I made that quip about marriage earlier because I was frustrated with her ex. He’s a tool of massive proportions and just cannot accept that things are over between him and Tilly. He has nothing to do with me, and even I want him gone.

But it was a spur-of-the-moment comment. Well, it was at the time. I can’t deny that since saying it, I’ve been ruminating on the thought.

“The answer is yes. I would.”

I watch relief flood across her face. “Really?”

“Hey, he’s your ex, but the man is getting on my nerves. I want him gone nearly as badly as you do.”

That’s not the only reason I’m so open to the idea of a fake marriage, but it’s all she needs to hear right now.

---