Page 30 of Faking Ever After

“Especially Aunt Judith!” I declared. “She’s looking out for you. Gotta love a woman who can prepare for the worst.”

Percy threw his head back and laughed out loud.

We took a left turn that connected us with the town beach. There, a path of wooden planks was built along the inland edge of the beach for people who wanted to stroll without getting too much sand in their shoes.

The afterlight lingered on the western sky, although the sun had retired under the horizon. We walked close to one another, the wooden path narrow and forcing our shoulders together every once in a while.

“I mean it,” Percy said. “You’re so wonderful with all of them. I couldn’t have brought a better fake boyfriend if I tried.”

I rolled my shoulders in a small shrug. “I know you’re embarrassed to imagine your mother hanging from variousropes in compromising poses—” Percy made a strangled noise, so I went quiet for a moment before moving on. “—erm, but I find it sweet that they’re still so in love.”

“Even if it sets up impossible expectations?” Percy muttered.

“If you don’t believe love can look like that, that’s not their fault,” I pointed out. “See, my parents love each other. I don’t doubt that. They get along just fine and agree on most things when they’re important. But come Saturday evening, Dad is watching football with a can of beer in that worn-out armchair he loves so much that has a can holder, and Mom is reading a Jane Austen novel for the nth time. They love each other enough to let each other do what they like, but it’s hardly a passionate marriage. And here I am, believing marriage can be as passionate as the one Alicia and Lawrence have.”

“It’s all about finding the right partner, huh?” Percy mused.

“Mm, but the question is, areyouthe sort of romantic that loves as passionately as they do? Or are you someone who loves quietly and steadily?” I couldn’t wipe away the small smile that was pulling at the corners of my lips.

Percy thought about it, the wind ruffling his perfect hair as we neared the end of the beach and the start of the harbor and the town center. “I might be the latter, but it’s not for the lack of trying,” he said. With his hands tucked into the pockets of his dark blue shorts, Percy looked into the distance. “What about you?”

Something small and wild fluttered inside my heart. “I think it depends on who I’m around. Some people just inspire you, you know?”

Percy nodded with understanding. “That’s well put.”

We walked along the harbor and Percy pointed to a bench, offering to sit down a little and watch the purple smears of paint across the canvas of the sky. Wisps of clouds caught the lastrays of sunlight before they faded completely, their bottom sides bright and glowing, the upper ones in total shadows.

Even though the bench was spacious, we still sat as if we were on the wooden path along the beach, his arm touching mine almost like they belonged on one another.

I wondered if Emily had gotten it right. Could he actually be interested in me? She’d used a pretty strong word to describe it. If she were even slightly correct, it would still be everything anyone could want. To be liked and admired and attractive in the eyes of someone as sweet and incredible as Percy Davenport.

“I wanted to show my gratitude for what you are doing, Finn,” Percy said softly.

Kiss me, then. That’s all the gratitude I want. But I reined in those thoughts. “You’re worth helping, mister.”

“I…” He hesitated, a little smile touching the corners of his lips. “God, I really hope I didn’t misunderstand anything. Look, maybe it’s silly…”

My heart was twice its size. Was he going to show his gratitude by taking my hand, looking into my eyes, and saying something that would make me melt off the bench? “Yeah?” I nudged him.You misunderstood nothing. I like you.

“I spoke to Kim,” Percy said.

A frown wrinkled my brow. “Um, okay?” I could barely hear him over my own heartbeat.

“And she’s on board with it,” Percy said firmly. “I want you to be properly compensated for your time and effort, Finn. You can do whatever you want with it. Keep it, give it to your family, give it to charity, whatever makes you feel good. But I can’t expect you to spend so much time with us and leave here empty-handed, right? So, what do you think?” An innocent smile stretched his lips and he looked at me expectantly.

My frown only deepened as the nasty flavors of sudden disappointment and heated embarrassment got thrown into the mix. “Seriously? You want to…pay me money?”

“Sure,” Percy said.

I pulled away from him on the bench. My throat tightened and I fought to inhale while wheezing. I couldn’t tell you why my eyes stung. I sure as hell wasn’t crying. “No, thanks.”

“Wh-what do you mean? I thought you needed…”

I hadn’t realized how short my fuse was. “I needed? No. I don’tneedanything. And I’m not for hire, Percy. I thought that much was clear.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know you didn’t ask, but I thought you would appreciate it.”

“Being paid for spending my time with you and your family makes it an insult to everyone involved,” I said dryly.

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