Page 43 of Until Then

“Noah.” She shakes her head. “That isn’t fair to you.”

“As you said, Wildfire, news blows over. It will give you a pass to walk away, but it’ll basically be expected of me. I’ll survive it, cross my heart.”

I mean every word, but the deeper plan is to make it so we never use my little contingency scheme.

“What do you say? Save my face and gain access to my fame and fortune for a good cause—think of the kids, Wildfire.The kids—while you play the part of my stunning new love interest.Or, do we walk out of here with our tails between our legs, and I admit the truth?”

She drags her bottom lip between her teeth and I wish she’d stop.

The motion makes me too focused on her mouth.

“A few rules,” she says, holding up her hand. “One, we act for the public, but don’t lie to me in private.”

I force a smile, uncertain how to deliver on every potential question that might come up. “Agreed.”

“Two—you can’t say things like you love me for the look. It’s too personal, too . . .”

“Real?”

Hayley nods. “And third, don’t get my mom and Nan hooked on you. In fact, I think it’s best if they don’t really find out. You’ll be a new, friendly investor they flirt with sometimes. They just . . . they fell in love with Jasper, and I don’t want them to get hurt either.”

The truth is a little heartbreaking. I dip my chin. “I don’t want to hurt you or your family, Hayley. That’s not what I’m about, I promise.”

Another pause, another heartbeat. Then, Hayley holds out her hand. “All right, Pretty Boy. You just got yourself a girlfriend.”

My chest heats when I take her palm and shake it.

This is either going to be a total disaster, or the perfect ruse to get the wildfire that started so long ago to devour me all over again.

FOURTEEN

Hayley

Noah looks down at his phone and curses. “Well, Rees knows something’s up. He’s waiting for us outside.”

“What do you want to do?” I had rules about my family, but I didn’t think of including Noah’s. A little selfish of me, and now I’m considering how this could upset his side as much as mine.

Rees and Noah are close, and there’s sweet little Jude who drew me in as fast as his uncle.

The last thing I want to do is get attached to a child only to step back later.

“I’ll tell him the truth.” Noah cracks the door to the hallway. “Rees won’t say a word, and honestly, he’s going to understand better than anyone. Trust me.”

I doubt his twin brother is going to think it’s an awesome idea to pretend to be together. He seems completely besotted with his wife, and this seems . . . so transactional.

As promised, Rees Hayden waits around the corner, watching where Vienna swings Jude around, drawing out short, pitchy laughter from her son.

“Regina.” Noah nudges his brother’s shoulder.

Rees glares, but keeps his voice down. Doubtless he’s well-accustomed to avoiding attention. “What are you doing? There’sa lot of talk going on in there and Briar is going to murder both of you.”

Blood drains from my cheeks. Briar. I caused a stupid scene at her wedding. “I’ll go apologize?—”

“Oh, that’s why she’s going to kill you,” Rees says. “She left and you two weren’t there to see her off. Prepare yourselves for when she gets off her honeymoon.”

“Briar will understand when she hears the story.”

“Oh, I’m waiting too.” Rees looks to Noah.

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