Page 54 of His Jersey

“I had a professional decorator come in.”

“But where’s your stuff?” she repeats.

“Do you want to go through my drawers? You can. I’m not hiding anything other than my snack stash.”

Ella blushes. “No, I mean like photos and doodads, things, stuff, junk.”

I shrug, realizing that my condo does resemble a suite at the resort. “Never thought of it.” I open a drawer, wave her over, and pass her a rectangular box. “I have something for you.”

She hesitantly takes it like it might detonate and slowly lifts the lid. “A phone? Did you just have an extra one lying around?”

I smirk. “No. I asked Carlos to pick it up during the game.” He taps it a few times. “New password: ten-ten, for my jersey. Also, I just programmed in my number, but I’m hoping that won’t be necessary.”

“What do you mean?”

“I decided to join the Nebraska Knights.”

She drops back slightly and nods. “Congrats. That’s great. Good for you.” She tips her head toward the hall and asks, “Bathroom?”

My stomach sinks and I can’t help but feel like I did something wrong. Is she anti-technology? It’s the latest phone model. Maybe I said the wrong thing, but what?

21

ELLA

When I returnto the main living area, Jack meets my gaze for a long and unsteadying moment.

I grip the edge of the kitchen counter because his piercing blue eyes and dark lashes in this dimly lit room could knock a girl over.

He asks. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, of course.”

This time, I can’t claim that my eyes are watery because of my contacts. I tell myself it has nothing to do with the fact that all fairytales have a last page printed with the words,The End.

“Just tired.”

I’m also mad at myself for being so silly and stupid … again. The kisses we’ve shared have felt very real, so why then did he want me to be his fake girlfriend and now he’s leaving?

It’s probably silly of me, but I thought we had a moment. A connection. When I’m with Jack, I don’t feel so lonely.

He must have someone else. I’m just a business deal. A transaction. I’m not special or chosen. It’s just a convenient arrangement for his career. I shouldn’t be surprised because itturns out he’s the billionaire’s son and this is just a variation on one of his flings.

This makes me feel cheap and used.

Jack shows me to the guest room. I don’t cross the threshold. Standing in the doorway, I’m close enough to him that I can smell his manly, soapy scent. He gazes down at me, crowding my space and my mind. His warmth sinks into me, bringing a blush to my cheeks. Forget truth serum, it’s like I drank a love potion, making me feel drunk … on Jack.

I shouldn’t be attracted to this man, yet I am.

We shouldn’t kiss, yet we do.

This doesn’t need to be fake, but it is.

“Maybe it would be better if I went to a hotel,” I say because the battle between my self-respect and self-preservation continues.

“Is the room too small? I have a couple of other spare rooms you could choose from.”

“Weird flex, but okay.” I squint and cock my head because this is another example of how we’re from such different worlds. “I mean the room is fine. Great.”

---