Page 12 of Flake It Til You Make It

“And thatworked?” Taylor sounded incredulous.

“Oh, it worked,” Rocco said, shooting Taylor a very charming, unfortunately very convincing smile. “So, you need someone on your arm when you’re going to festival events. And I need an in with the town. Some reason for people to start coming back to Jolly Java. You’re the freaking deputy mayor—soon to be the city manager! What’s more part of the town thanthat?”

It was an absolutely ludicrous idea.

Taylor wanted to tell Rocco flatly that he was not interested.

But he was.

Despite all the potential pitfalls and problems—not to mention the certified insanity.

“The final meeting of the council isn’t until April. That’s five months away. You really want to pretend to be my boyfriend for that long?”

Say yes. Say you absolutely do.

But Rocco just laughed. “Well, I can’t say it would be a hardship,” he said. “Plus, I’m gone for a month right in the middle of that time. I’m going to help out some family in Indigo Bay, for their Sweethearts Festival.” He paused and suddenly looked worried. “That isn’t going to be a problem, is it?”

“Let me get this straight. You’re worried about being gone for a month between now and April, butnotworried about faking a relationship for five months?”

“Oh, how hard can it be? A few smiles, some hand-holding, maybe even a romantic date or two, they’ll all believe it, and then it’s just a matter of keeping up the charade.” Rocco leaned in. There was that smell of coffee again. But it was sweeter, too. Spicy, almost.

It was unexpectedly intoxicating.

Intoxication must have been the only reason Taylor said, “I’ll think about it.”

Rocco’s nearness had totally gone to his head.

“Aw,” Rocco said, having the nerve to both look and sound disappointed. “Come on. It could be fun. And useful. Emphasis on useful, if that’s what you’re into.” He shot Taylor a particularly mischievous look. “I have a feeling you are, actually.”

“Kind of comes with the job,” Taylor said wryly. “The one I have,andthe one I want.”

“Are you really worried about not getting it? From what I hear, you’re practically already hired.”

Taylor shrugged and finished his beer, setting the glass on the coaster in front of him. “Yes and no. Yeah, I’ve got some strikes against me. But I’m the deputy mayor. The current mayor is endorsing me. And biggest help? There’s no other serious candidates for the position. Not that people haven’t applied, but I’ve got the most experience.”

Rocco nodded earnestly. “So nothing to worry about then.”

“Not according to Mona,” Taylor said with a chuckle. But yes, hewasworried. Whether it was legitimate or not. There were still a few weeks for possible candidates to submit the necessary paperwork to apply for the job. Someone else without his three strikes and with the same or better experience, and he might have to resort to something extreme.

Something like Rocco’s semi-insane fake boyfriend scheme.

“But youwillthink about it, won’t you?” Rocco asked persuasively. Like Taylor might have forgotten in the last two minutes. Newsflash: it was hard to forget when anyone offered to fake date you. Doubly so when it was a someone who looked like Rocco Moretti.

“I will,” Taylor promised and slid off his barstool. “It was good seeing you, Rocco. And I’ll tell Mona to stop by your place this week. See if that helps.”

Rocco brightened. “Thanks!”

Taylor considered that after he’d paid his bill and walked out the front door. Would asking Mona to stop by be helpful? It would, if she would actually do it. On the other hand, Rocco was probably right and datinghimwould be a far better option.

The nosy town would be piling into Jolly Java for a chance to get a second look at the guy who’d finally hooked the deputy mayor.

Embarrassing, maybe, but true, nonetheless.

He lived in a little one-story bungalow down one of the side streets, within an easy walk of downtown and City Hall. Unlocking the door, Taylor hung up his coat and scarf and walked into the living room.

Meredith, his sleek gray cat, was sleeping on her favorite cushion, and as he walked in, opened one glowing amber eye. “Meow,” she said, greeting him. Taylor went over and rubbed her head. Enjoying the way her soft fur comforted him. Maybe he was alone, but his life wasn’t lonely. He had his work, which fulfilled him, and the entire town to worry about and to worry about him in return. And then he had Meredith to cuddle up to at night.

“Should’ve hooked up with the movie star,” he murmured to her as his fingers sifted through her fur. “Would’ve been easier.”

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