Page 18 of My Lumberjack Valentine

Just some girl.

I feel like my heart is tearing itself to shreds inside me, the pain searing my chest.

I’ve been such an idiot. God, how could I have been so dumb? So naïve? Boone told me himself that he doesn’t believe in true love or happily ever afters. He told me this was fake dating. I knew the deal going into this, and I let myself fall for him anyway. I gave him everything, believing we could be something more than a fake couple.

Stupid. Stupid.

I need to get out of here.

With shaking hands, I rip a page from a notebook in the living room and scribble a quick note, trying to stifle my sobs. Then I pull the engagement ring off my finger. I leave it on top of the note and hurry to the guestroom, grabbing my luggage before slipping out of the front door.

I guess Boone was right about happily ever afters,I think as I drive into Hope Peak, tears streaming down my face.They really are just a fantasy.

10

BOONE

I wakeup that morning with Rosalie in my arms, her pink hair splayed out on the pillow as she sleeps. My heart aches as I watch her, listening to her slow breathing, watching the rise and fall of her naked chest.

Fuck, I must be the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in the whole damn world.

Memories of last night flit through my mind, and I let out a contented sigh, running a hand over Rosalie’s bare shoulder. I could lie here all day just watching her sleep, but I figure I should get up and cook her some breakfast.

Quietly, I slip out of bed and pull on a fresh pair of boxers, struggling to tear my gaze away from my sleeping beauty. I can’t help myself. I lean down and kiss her soft lips, my touch gentle so I won’t wake her up. Then, with several more glances, I finally leave the bedroom and head for the kitchen.

I raid the cupboards, looking for something to cook for Rosalie. My girl has a sweet tooth, so I settle on pancakes, but before I can grab the ingredients I need, my phone starts to buzz. It’s still on the coffee table where I left it last night, and I grab it, scowling.

I hate these damn things.

When I see the name on the screen, I soften slightly. It’s my younger sister. Like most of my family, she lives in Idaho, but unlike the rest of them, I actually like talking to Abigail. She’s the only family member I keep in touch with regularly, besides Grandpa, and I quickly accept the call.

“Hey, Abi.”

I can hear kids yelling in the background as Abi says, “Boone! Hi. I have some questions for you.”

“Sounds ominous.”

She laughs. “You’re such a pessimist. Maybe they’re nice questions.”

“Are they?” I ask, leaving the kitchen and heading to an empty bedroom at the end of the hall, where my voice won’t disturb Rosalie.

“Yeah!” my sister says. “Basically, Grandpa called. He told me you’re seeing somebody, and I was so dang shocked that I had to call to confirm. I have so many questions, Boone, and you’re not ending this call until you answer every last one.”

“Jeez, Abi…”

“First off, how did you meet her?”

I consider maintaining the charade and telling Abigail the same lies I told Grandpa. But I know I can be honest with my sister. She’ll get it.

“It’s not a real relationship,” I tell her.

“But Grandpa said it was serious?”

“Yeah, that’s what he’s meant to think. But it’s not real. She’s just some girl I met on the street…” I run a hand over my beard, my jaw tight. “At least, that’s how it started. We made a deal. If she pretended to be my girlfriend, I’d be able to claim my inheritance and give her enough money to keep her candy store open.”

“Her candy store?” Abi sounds baffled. “Okay, hold up, start from the beginning. Tell me everything.”

I do as she asks. I tell her about my meeting with Rosalie, her mission to save Peak Sweets, the deal we struck in the coffee shop. She listens without a word as I explain how we fooled Grandpa, pretending to move in together, acting like a couple in front of him.

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