Page 57 of The Pucking Fake Marriage

And I don’t think I can survive Ken betraying me one more time. Not that I can even imagine what would constitute a betrayal this time.

“I like this new Charlie,” Haley continues. “Just…”

“Be careful?” I feel my stomach lurching with the thought. If even Haley is asking me to be careful, then I have a lot to worry about.

But she shakes her head, smiling. “Enjoy it while it lasts. This is just temporary, and it’s going to end soon. Have your fun. Live it fully.”

I’m almost relieved. Ken is not going to be in my life for longer than our sham of a marriage lasts. He won’t stick around long enough to betray me. That means in half a year at most, we’ll move on to being strangers again.

And that’s how I prefer it.

“You ready to go back out there?” Haley’s eyes are twinkling. “He was totally checking you out too. Maybe you can catch him before he leaves.”

“Haley!”

She rolls her eyes and slips out of the office, thankfully before a foolish grin forms on my face.

There’s no use denying it. Idowant to enjoy this part of my life. I’m never going to be able to truly let go of the accident, but I can enjoy this regardless. Especially with just how much he’s helped me.

The first thing I notice when I return to the seating area is that Ken’s entourage has now doubled in size.

“Who are those girls?” Haley whispers behind me, nodding toward the handful of women who have joined the players.

“Wives. Girlfriends.” Of the group, I recognize Britney, who is seated with her husband Alex. The remaining women seem to be short-term girlfriends. The whole group is spread across three tables, talking rather quietly but still drawing attention and looks from the other patrons. Apart from the hockey thing, it’s not difficult to see why. The Titans are all breathtakingly gorgeous, and I don’t doubt that a few women in here are hoping to get a proper introduction.

And apparently some of them have decided to take matters into their own hands. A stunning girl untangles herself from where she’s sitting at the other end of the restaurant and makes her way to the Titans. To Ken’stable.

A lump forms in my throat as she goes straight to him.

“Uh-oh.” I can hear the grin in Haley’s voice.

“Shut up,” I hiss, annoyed.

Ken looks up at the girl. He’s smiling back, talking easily. The lump grows larger.

“Wanna tell her to leave?” Haley whispers in my ear. “C’mon, you can totally do it. He’s your husband, technically,andyou own this place.”

I open my mouth to tell Haley to back off—even if I’m sort of considering her suggestion. But just then, Ken turns around and stares right at me.

The lump dissolves. I stand transfixed, unable to do anything other than look back at him. His blue eyes bore into me, filling me with tingles.

I want you, his eyes tell me. Only you.

Somehow, he sensed my insecurities from several feet away and sought to reassure me.

He stares at me for about two more seconds before he turns away and carries on talking with the girl.

Goosebumps form on my skin. Something about being known like that, to the very depths of my soul, both scares and uplifts me. Makes me want to do things too. Like go up to the table and kiss him in full view of everyone. Or ask him to come back to my office. Or…

The door of the restaurant crashes open, distracting me. I turn toward it, excitement already forming in my gut at the prospect of another new customer. There are already way more than twenty people seated in here, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few more.

But my excitement dies as suddenly as it began.

Because the newcomer is none other than Kali Edwards.

Almost no one gives him a second glance. Even Haley isnow looking down at her phone. But the air seems to still the moment he walks in. My universe collapses into three people: myself, Kali…and Ken, who I know has noticed his brother come in. I don’t even need to look. I just know.

A low murmur starts on the side of the Titans, and I can imagine why. Most of his buddies are seeing his brother for the first time. Kali doesn’t seem to care. His gaze is scouring the place, settling on my face. He makes a beeline to me, slipping past the people and chairs in his way like some sort of well-trained snake.

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