Page 20 of The Kiss Countdown

Vincent shakes his head. “I know. Lance was talking to me about it too.”

“Oh. I told her I couldn’t guarantee anything but promised to at least try.”

“Well, you tried,” he says flatly.

Yup. I knew I hadn’t imagined the tension between Vincent and his sister. It’s obviously a sore subject and none of my business.

However, unbidden, Vincent opens up. “Look. I love my family. And I couldn’t have asked for a better mom growing up. However, at this point so close to my launch, it’s critical that I not have any distractions. If I’m subject to a week of her guilt trips, I might have a nervous breakdown. Unless you’re up to the task of being my fake girlfriend for a whole week?”

I snort. “Maybe I would if I wasn’t trying to keep from having my own nervous breakdown. Come tomorrow, I’m back to spending all of my energy thinking of a way to keep a roof over my head.”

He lets out a low hum in the back of his throat. There’s a certain kinship between us after I opened up about my parents and business in a way I haven’t even opened up to Gina, and Vincent shared with me the issues he’s having with his family. It makes the quiet between us feel comfortable as we sway side to side.

When I feel his chest expand against my cheek at least three times like he’s about to say something, I tilt my head up. “What is it?”

He’s all sexy pensiveness as he meets my gaze, but then his eyes slide away.

“Well?” I push.

He clears his throat. “I was thinking... I live alone and have an extra bedroom. It’s nothing special, but it’s yours, rent-free, if you’ll come with me to my family’s cabin and any other events where I might need a girlfriend at my side.”

I stop dancing. “You can’t be serious.” But he certainly seems serious as he watches me steadily. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know that you stick to your commitments. You kept your word about tonight. And I know an arrangement like this would help both of us out. We’d only need to do this for three months, until I leave for my mission.”

Vincent may not be so bad, but he is clearly out of his mind. It’s a horrible idea to even think of continuing to play his girlfriend long-term for the chance to save money.

Right?

Yes, definitely.

“Vincent, I appreciate the offer, but I have to say no. I just don’t see how it could work. I’m sorry.”

He sighs and shrugs. “Don’t apologize. I get it. I knew it was a long shot, but figured I’d try anyway.”

The song ends and “Wobble” begins playing. There’s no way I’m wobblin’ or backinganythingup for an audience of one, so I take that as our cue to head back.

We return the same way we came, passing the fountain and palm trees, and I look up at Vincent. When he glances down with a quick smile, there’s a small flutter in my chest.

Yes, turning down his proposition is absolutely the right thing. Going beyond tonight would be asking for a complicated mess.

But Vincent’s comment about stayingrent-freekeeps playing in my mind on a loop while visions of stupid pink papers and hospital bills flash behind my eyes. What if there’s a way to ensure that accepting Vincent’s offer doesn’t become complicated or messy?

As we approach a hanging garland of silver and gold triangles, I stop Vincent with a hand on his elbow.

“What’s up?” he says.

“Vincent, I think we should do it.”

He looks me up and down and swallows. “Doit?”

Realizing how that must have sounded, I quickly say “No” even as a pulse of heat strikes me. “I mean, continue this.” I gesture between us.

I can see it’s still not clicking, because Vincent’s gaze is steady on my hips. Instead of shouting so the groups of people nearby can hear us, I step closer to him. “I want to take you up on your offer and move in with you.”

His eyebrows jump before his eyes dart around and he angles his head toward me. “You do?”

“Yes.” Why does it feel like we’re so much closer than when we were dancing? I clear my throat. “But I have conditions.”

---