Page 25 of Finding Her Leading Man

“This is nothing like you and Cameron.” He couldn’t even imagine meeting someone that he’d want to marry. Samantha needed her freedom, as Addie said, and he needed his. He didn’t want to be tied down. He liked going with Grayson. He liked only being responsible for himself. No guilt.

The feelings for Samantha would make it harder this time. Leaving and not looking back. But he had a few more weeks to worry about it. He’d already laid it out for Sam.

Samantha returned with Addie’s salad and Trevor’s burger before quickly moving on to the next customer.

By tomorrow, he’d have a new game plan. He’d figure out how to help and let her be the one in charge of getting her life back together.

“You need to tell her about mom thinking you two are a couple.” Addie finished her salad and set the fork to the side. “I think you should make it through the wedding, letting mom believe what she wants to.”

“And you don’t think that’s strange? Pretending to be in a relationship with her to keep mom from getting upset?”

“Nothing is strange if it keeps mom from getting upset.”

Samantha approached them, their ticket in her hand. “I assumed you didn’t need this split?” She held it out in between the two of them.

Trevor took it. “This works.”

Addie cleared her throat and tilted her head in Samantha’s direction. “Don’t you need to tell her about Mom?”

“What about your mom? You already mentioned that she would send you the songs for us to consider.”

Trevor pointed to a seat. “Can you sit for a second?”

With a glance over her shoulder, she pulled out the chair and sat. “I guess I can for a moment.”

Addie started to stand, but Trevor shook his head. “No. This is partly on you for not clearing it up in the first place.”

“What?” Samantha looked between the two of them.

Addie’s shoulder’s slumped. “Our mom thinks that you and Trevor are in a relationship. She can be a little dramatic, so, if it’s alright with you, we thought that we could let her think that until after the wedding.”

Samantha’s eyebrows shot up. “Let your mom think Trevor and I are dating?” She looked at Trevor. “Did you do this to try and get me to go out with you?”

He threw his head back and laughed. The serious expression on her face, asking him that question, was unbelievable. Insane. Like he’d stoop that low. He wanted a date. Damn, at that moment, he wanted to snatch her up and kiss her until she realized how ridiculous she sounded. The look she aimed his way darkened.

Addie shook her head. “Trevor, don’t play around.”

He took a breath to get under control. “Alright. I’m sorry. I didn’t contrive some way to force you to date me.” He waited until her shoulders relaxed a fraction of an inch. He leaned forward, holding his hands out and tempering his voice. “Sam, I want to take you on a date. I made up having a girlfriend before I even met you to take some heat off Addie and the wedding. She linked the two of us together, and now, we’re worried that if I tell her the truth, she will make Addie’s wedding unbearable.”

Samantha looked between the two of them. “Your mom sounds very interesting.”

“You have no idea,” they said in unison. Addie shifted in her seat, a little closer to Samantha. “I’m sorry about all of this. If you don’t mind, could youmaybepretend to be with Trevor if my mom shows up? You won’t have to do anything but stand there. I know this is a lot to ask—”

“Yes.” Samantha met Trevor’s gaze straight on.

He wouldn’t get his hopes up. “Yes, to what?”

“If your mom asks, I’ll play along. I’d hate to ruin Addie’s day.”

“Oh.” As much as he appreciated her acting, something that came second nature to her, he’d wished the answer was to a date with him, not pretending to be his girlfriend. “Thanks. I’m still hoping she won’t show before the wedding, so it won’t be an issue. And on the day of the wedding, I doubt she’ll remember.” He picked up the check from the table. He needed to leave before he pushed his luck. She wasn’t angry with him any longer, which he appreciated, but he wanted more. He winked at his sister. “I’ll get dinner this time, four-eyes.” He moved past the back of Samantha’s chair, somehow not reaching out and brushing his hand along her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

10

Trevor’s laughter floated out of his room. She paused before knocking, watching him laugh at whatever was on his phone. It hit her again. He was insanely sexy. Attraction toward men wasn’t new. But never before had it hit her in such a fundamental, visceral way.

“What’s so funny?” She stepped into his room. The awkwardness from their last rehearsal felt decades ago. He’d made it disappear yesterday at the diner. She’d yelled at him, and he’d acted as though nothing had happened.

Until they’d dropped the bomb about his mom and the girlfriend dilemma. She’d worried over it for a couple of hours last night, wondering how far he expected to take it. But, in the end, she decided it wouldn’t matter, anyway. They didn’t expect his mom to show up. Besides, smiling and pretending to enjoy Trevor’s company would be incredibly easy.

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