Page 63 of Just Act Natural

“I want to.”

“Oh. Okay. Great.” He’s surprisingly chill about the whole fake dating thing. Me? I’m a tangle of frizzy nerve-endings. “I hope you’re prepared to act like a smitten boyfriend.”

“I’ll be ready.”

We slow down in front of the old, empty department store. It’s a sad gap in an otherwise busy street, but Mom hasn’t found a business willing to lease such a big space. Like my apartment, the exterior has a vintage feel, but the inside needs some love.

He tilts his head toward the forgotten building. “You brought me on the scenic route.”

“It was beautiful a few months ago. Hope filled the front window with toys and lights for her Christmas festival.”

“Are you doing something like that for the Fourth of July?”

“Obviously. Even though I’m kind of mad I didn’t come up with it first. It’ll be all flag-themed merchandise from local stores, with some lights above it to give a hint of fireworks.” I stand right in front of the window and gesture around like I’m painting the scene for him. “I set aside a couple of the flag buntings for the backdrop too. Outside, I’ll put some helium balloons up for as long as they last.”

“You’ll make Captain America proud.”

“Your eyes will be dazzled by the star-spangled goodness.” I spin to face him. “It’s a little free advertising for local businesses, and if we’re really lucky, we’ll find someone to lease the building.”

“It’s a great plan. I can’t wait to see your vision become reality.”

“I hope I live up to my own hype.”

“I don’t see how I could be disappointed.”

I could bask in this man’s praise like a happy little kitten in a sunbeam. “Grant Irwin, you’re a charmer.”

He flashes a boyish smile. “When I want to be.”

He’s got my insides pirouetting around, and he’s barely said anything. Either he’s just got that much charisma or I’m starved for approval. Maybe both.

Over his shoulder, I spot Josh across the street. My content cat smile freezes in place.

“How ready are you to turn up the charm?” I whisper.

He leans closer. “Just say the word.”

“That’s good because Josh is watching us.” I keep the happy smile pasted on as if we’re still flirting away.

Grant tenses like someone just zapped him with static electricity. He puts a little more distance between us as if to stop it from happening again. Not the response I was going for. I grab his hand and lace my fingers in his, tugging him closer.

“I’m sure he’ll realize he’s being a creep and move on in a minute.” Actually, I’m not sure of that at all. Josh has proven he’s got a flawed opinion of what constitutes bad behavior, especially when it comes to his own.

Grant clears his throat and goes right on staring at me. The boyish smile is gone, replaced by mild panic. He looks like he’s been set in the cockpit of a gliding airplane and somebody told him he has to land the plane. Clueless, basically.

The hint of uncertainty in this capable man would probably be a lot more attractive if my pride weren’t riding on him snapping out of it in the next three seconds.

“What do you want me to do?”

“I don’t know…pretend to flirt with me.” He was doing it before. Why is it making his brain shut down now?

“Hey…baby.”

My fake happiness disappears. “Not baby.”

I never liked that nickname, but after seeing it in Josh’swhoopstext to the other woman, the nickname makes my stomach crawl.

He only looks more confused. “Darling girl.”

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