Page 59 of The Kiss Countdown

I take comfort in the fact that Mrs. Rogers doesn’t hate me after all. But for her to now insist that Vincent propose is... ridiculous. There’s no other word I can think of.

Vincent is back to pacing. “This isn’t what you signed up for. I won’t propose in front of everyone. When we get back to Houston, I’ll tell her that we talked about it and broke up after realizing we want different things.” He nods to himself. “And don’t worry, I’m not kicking you out. You have a home as long as you need it.”

Vincent’s words don’t sit right with me, though at this moment I won’t examine how my feelings for him are changing. Right now, it’s enough to know in my gut I hate this new idea of his. And there’s also his parents’ ceremony.

“Us breaking up might complicate things. Your sister asked me to plan your parents’ vow renewal, and I said yes.” I grimace. I knew I should have told Camille I had to think about it. At the very least, I should have gotten the okay from Vincent first. “Plus, the whole reason I’m here is to get your mom off your back as you prepare for your mission. Doyou think that will happen if you tell her it’s over between us and she thinks you’re nursing a broken heart?”

Vincent doesn’t answer. After a few more laps to the wall and back, he finally sits on the bed and pulls a ring box from his pocket. As he opens and closes it a few times, I get a quick glimpse of the gold ring inside.

I’m the one to break the silence. “It’s a family heirloom.”

“It is.”

I touch my necklace. “Your mom commented on my necklace, and I told her how it belonged to my mom. She seemed impressed by how well I’ve taken care of it.”

I don’t know if I’m really expecting a reaction, but part of me wonders if Mrs. Rogers’s actions are somehow my fault. She fell for my front of having my life all figured out, combined with being responsible, and decided I’m it for Vincent.

For his part, Vincent looks at me with another one of his unreadable expressions before turning away.

“My dad told me how his dad, Grandpa Joseph, worked for the railroads. The day he met my grandma, he knew she was the one and began saving up for an engagement ring. It still took him six months to work up the courage to ask her out. After the third date, he sold his car because he couldn’t wait any longer.” He opens the box, and this time I get a better look at the single diamond set with gold roses on each side. “On their fourth date, he proposed.”

“Fourth? He didn’t waste any time.”

“No, he didn’t. My dad was the same way. He knew my mom was the one from the moment he saw her at Texas Southern University. It took a little while for her to agree to go out with him, but eventually they started dating and were engaged by the end of sophomore year. My grandma passed this ring down to my mom.”

“It’s really special, Vincent.”

He blows out a breath. “This isn’t how everything is supposed to happen.”

It sounds like he’s talking more to himself than to me, but still, his words hit me. That ring represents generations of love, and Vincent deserves to give it to someone he’s fallen madly in love with. Not an imposter like me.

I study his profile as he continues to stare at the ring. And there it is, that pull to hug him again. But imagining him in a different scenario where he’s happy to be able to pass the ring to someone he loves keeps me rooted in my spot and makes me want to throw up. I’m a damn mess.

“This doesn’t have to go any further,” I say. “I’m here to make things easier on you, and I realize so far, I’ve missed the mark. Like you gave me your word that I could live in your house, I gave mine as well. Tell me what you need as far as your mom goes. Whether it’s continuing as we are now or packing up and leaving tonight.”

Vincent’s head jerks to me. “I don’t want you to go anywhere.”

I’m taken aback by how quickly he shifts gears from helpless to fierce.

“Amerie, it may not feel like much to you, but you just being by my side has made a difference. I don’t want you to leave,” he reiterates, and I can’t do anything but believe him. “My mom just caught me off guard. No one will ever be able to say she’s predictable, I’ll give her that. If you’re willing to stick it out here a few more days, I’ll count my lucky stars.” He takes my hand in his, running his thumb along my knuckles.

Sirens are blaring in my head that things between us are getting too muddy, but I send him a small smile. “Well, looks like you’re still stuck with me. Lucky you.”

“Lucky me.”

Chapter Nineteen

You okay?” Vincent asks.

After responding with a heart emoji to the picture my mom sent of Dad standing in front of a waterfall at Yellowstone Park, I put my phone to sleep and glance at Vincent. “I’m good.”

We’re in his truck, following his family to a Brazilian steak house for his mom’s birthday dinner.

I know I’ve been more distant than usual. We still have two days here before we go home to Houston, but it feels like the whole situation is raveling out of control. Our fake relationship. Vincent’s mom urging him to propose. How panic overtook me when I imagined him calling off our bargain. I spent half the day trying to deny the truth until I gave myself a headache—I want to be here with Vincent.

But that’s crazy, right? To go from being somewhat physically attracted (okay, maybe more thansomewhat) to having a full-blown crush on a guy I know will be leaving soon. Insanity.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he says.

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