Page 8 of Fake Dating My Valentine

"It’s funny," she began slowly as she waved her wooden spoon around. "Because I didn’t even know when he was coming home, and I swore you told me just days ago that you kissed Mac."

Right. That's true. "Okay!" I locked the door behind me and crossed the kitchen until we were face to face and I dropped my hands on her shoulders. "Remember I told you about the bet?"

"Of course." Her amusement was too much to take.

"Then I went to the farmhouse and saw Ryan, so he was kind of on my mind already. The next day, I was approached by one of the Brigade, and then later so was Ryan. I saw him and I acted. Impulsively."

"Wait, so you guys are fake dating, and not dating for real?”

I nodded as my gaze darted all around the kitchen. "It makes sense. We both steer clear of the matchmakers and no one would even question it because we’ve known each other forever." The words rushed out, and I hoped my best friend was buying the explanation.

"Yeah, but what happens when he goes off on the next mission to who the heck knows where?" Her green eyes held genuine concern.

I smiled, because it was the one part of the story I’d actually thought about. "Easy. We’ll do the ‘long distance thing’ for a while before it becomes too hard and break up. That should give me at least a year, possibly eighteen months of peace."

Nix sighed heavily and shook her head. "This has bad idea written all over it."

My brows dipped. I thought I had everything figured out. "Why?"

Nix threw up her flour-covered hands and took a step back. "I don't know if you're ready to hear it."

"No, wait. Tell me why this is a bad idea?" I needed to know if there was something I hadn’t thought about.

"Because you're both incredibly good-looking, amazing people, which would be enough, but you have a lifetime of history together as well. The casual touches and affection will blur the lines. It’s going to get messy because one, or both of you, will develop feelings."

I shook my head dismissively. "We won’t. We made a deal and it’ll be fine. Don’t worry," I told her even though last night had proved to me that there was plenty to worry about.

"I'll worry, but I’ll keep it to myself. And when one or both of you gets a case of the feels, I am staying out of it. Way out of it."

Well, her words kind of put a damper on my plans. "Gee, Nix, thanks for the vote of confidence." What seemed like the perfect plan yesterday, now had me second-guessing myself.

Nix flung her arms around me and laughed. "I believe in you, Torey. I really do." She pulled back and her gaze met mine. "And I really can’t wait for us to be sisters for real. We always talked about it and now it’s reality."

I groaned at memory of our younger selves trying to figure out how to become real sisters without having to marry stinky ol’ boys.

Nix laughed. "See, optimism!"

"Thanks." Now, in addition to our kisses, I was filled with worry that my plan wasn’t as great as I thought.

Chapter 6

Ryan

“I’ll inspect this vintage beast, Ryan, don’t worry.” Jimmy, my go-to mechanic, flashed a grin and gave the hood of my old truck a pat. “But I’ve got to prioritize Jane’s van before the woman throws a fit. It’ll be about an hour.”

I checked my phone and nodded. “No rush. My schedule’s wide open.” I’d gotten up early to drive to the physical therapy center in the next town over, and that was the extent of my plans for the day. “I’ll be back later.” Holiday Grove hadn’t changed much during my absence, but it looked newer, shinier—no longer stuck in the sixties.

Strolling down the familiar streets, I felt more at ease than I had on previous visits. Sure, I’d kept my trips brief and mostly confined to the farmhouse, avoiding the hero treatment and questions about my work. This time, though, being back felt right. It felt good.

“Ryan Murphy!” Mayor Stevens hurried down City Hall’s steps, stopping in front of me with a genuine smile, not the one she wore in her campaign photos. “Welcome home.”

“Thanks.”

“I was thrilled to hear about you and Torey.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond or why anyone cared. “Um, thanks.” News traveled fast in Holiday Grove.

She laughed. “You’re just in time for the Week of Love Valentine’s Day Festival.”

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