Page 29 of Rush

Defeated, Nora followed.

They had no trouble agreeing on a navy and beige striped comforter with matching sheet set. Very neutral and perfect for a guest room.

Linc picked out the wall art—four sea-side pictures to create a whole beach theme to match the color scheme—then they made their way to the register, their cart overflowing with other knick-knacks they’d picked up along the way.

Linc handed the cashier the ticket for the bedroom set. “We’ll also need a mattress and everything delivered as soon as possible. I’m willing to pay extra.”

The woman punched a few keys. “In that case, the first available slot is tomorrow morning between ten and noon.”

“That’s fine.” Linc whipped out a credit card and Nora tried not to cringe when she got a glimpse of the total on the register screen, reminding herself Linc hadn’t spent that money on her but to decorate a room in his house.

“Where to next?” Nora asked after Linc stowed the bedding in the back hatch and slid into the driver’s seat.

“Hardware store for some paint.” He clicked his seatbelt in place and looked at her. “Or would you rather have wallpaper?”

Nora threw up a hand. “I’m not that talented.”

Linc grinned. “Neither am I. But how hard can painting be? You just buy a few brushes and slap it on the wall.”

Nora studied his face to see if he was joking. She didn’t think he was. “Wait a minute. You’ve never painted before?”

Linc shrugged. “Never needed to. This is my first house.”

“What about Sophie’s room? It’s pink.” And Nora was certain it wasn’t that particular bright shade when he’d moved in.

“After I bought the place, I hired a contractor to paint and install new flooring, but I never finished the spare room, unsure what I eventually wanted to use it for.”

That excuse made sense. For the rich and famous, anyway.

Linc turned into the parking lot of a strip mall. One that, Nora noticed, didn’t contain a hardware store. He pulled into a parking space in front of a chain jewelry store she’d seen advertised on TV a million times and turned off the car.

“Why are we stopping here?”

“Quick detour.” He opened his door and got out. “Come on.”

Spidey-sense activated, she grudgingly climbed out of the SUV, meeting him on the sidewalk. “Maybe you should tell me why we’re here before we go in.”

“For our engagement to look real, you need a ring.”

“Okay, I get that,” and she even agreed, “but can’t we go to… I don’t know… Walmart or someplace and get something cheap?”

He looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “No.”

He started walking and Nora ran to get in front, halting him in his tracks. “Why not?” She wasn’t giving up that easily. A ring wasn’t something for him or his house that he could keep using later or something that could be returned when they were done with it.

“Because we want this to look real and nobody would believe you’re my fiancée if you’re wearing a shit ring.”

“No one would know it’s a knockoff but you and me.”

“Believe me, people would know. Not to mention...” He stopped mid-sentence, eyes narrowing and jaw locking.

“Not to mention what?” she prompted not wanting to let it go.

He didn’t answer. Taking her by the arms, he pulled her in close and planted his lips on hers.

She quickly recovered her stunned silence, mumbling against Linc’s lips. “What are you doing?”

“Paparazzi,” he murmured back, his fake mustache tickling her upper lip.

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