Page 105 of How to Prevent a Fumble

“Truth or dare,” she says.

“Dare.”

“If I accept the car, please don’t hurt me,” she says quietly, swallowing loudly.

“I would rather live out my days as a miserable, sad little man than hurt you, Briar. I can promise you that.”

She studies me for a long time after that, until what feels like fifteen minutes later, she rolls over and continues to watch the movie without another word.

31

BRIAR

It’s been four days since I woke up to Leo Warner’s arm around my waist, his warm, ginormous body pressed up against mine, morning wood and all.

If I say I hated it that would be a lie, and I’ve spent four whole days unpacking that.

I had jumped out of bed after checking the time, realizing I was late getting Elara ready for school. Leo didn’t move, and since it was Tuesday, his day off, I let him rest. If he had any Tuesday morning meetings he didn’t tell me about, that was his problem. He didn’t though, thankfully.

I got Elara ready for school after I pried her out of bed and was right on schedule when Heidi had knocked on the apartment door.

When I got back to the room, Leo was gone, and I felt my stomach drop. Another reaction I didn’t have time to unpack.

With a sigh, I got ready for the day, and without another word left for the nearest coffee shop. The second I opened my laptop, I was greeted by several threatening emails from Tony, which was, well, let’s just say I’m reacting to them better with time. And by reaction to them better, I mean I’m not reacting to them at all.

He doesn’t deserve a second of my peace.

I’ve barely spoken to Leo in the last four days. He’s been off doing who knows what. He’s definitely been spending more time out, and I’m not entirely sure what that means for us, and this fake relationship thing we have going on. It’s been awhile since we’ve been spotted out, and his publicist has been up my ass to plan another night.

But tonight is the charity event we’ve been planning for, which means we’ll be around so many people and hundreds of cameras.

I’ve been nervous for it, that’s for sure.

Pretty Boy

You have everything you need for tonight? I can stop and get anything on my way home.

Yes, I have everything. Thank you though.

Are you sure?

Yes?

Elara will be home from school soon, and Emmett is dropping his daughter Juniper off before his babysitter comes over to watch them both. He got lucky that she was free tonight, since she apparently keeps a really tight schedule and isn’t around when he needs her half the time. He makes do, Leo says, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult for him sometimes.

Grabbing my curling iron, I section my hair and curl it to the best of my abilities, but nearly scream when it immediately falls out. I’m not made to be doing this fancy shit.

Okay, maybe hairspray?

Pretty Boy

Things not going great? You’ve never backtrack and ask for help before.

Things are not going great.

He doesn’t answer for a solid ten minutes, but when he does, I feel myself start to sweat.

Pretty Boy

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