Page 16 of Heartfelt Goals

“So not Madeline,” she whispered, her mind racing. “Who else could we both know that would put you up to a prank like this or…”

“It’s no prank – except maybe on me. I’ve got to get married immediately and it has to look somewhat real. I figured since maybe you used to have a crush on me when I was younger…”

“Oh, just kill me now…” she whispered, burying her face in her hands as he continued speaking.

“Then maybe we could fake it for the press for a little bit or at least until they are off my back with the announcement.”

“You’re going to announce marrying me?”

“What? Oh, heck no,” he laughed nervously, tugging at his collar. “I’m gonna announce that I’m taking a different opportunity with a new hockey team. How do you feel about Canada and french fries? I hear there is good food up there and nice shopping. We could have a heckuva view again and… andKendall could go to the best private schools. I’d handle it. We could live in different wings –yeah– we can live indifferent wingsof the place. I’ll get athree-bedroom instead of two and…”

Laurel raised a hand in the middle of getting to her feet and sank almost like her whole soul was being deflated. She was on her hands and knees – well, one hand kept her from face-planting – while the other was frantically waving to just shut him up so she could process everything he was spewing so quickly.

Looking up, she saw Kendall’s shocked face peeking from her bedroom – and frowned, immediately causing the girl to shut the door. Looking at Dustin’s bright blue eyes and seeing his expression as he worked through what would ‘suit him’ in this travesty-of-a-marriage was… disheartening.

He wanted separate bedrooms?

He wanted to move to Canada?

Her crush wanted to marry herconditionally… for a job?

“You’re serious,” she whispered painfully, staring at him – and he nodded. “You want tomarryme to secure ajoband move us toCanada, where I would have my own bedroom, and we wouldpretendto be a couple.”

“Yes,” he smiled brightly.

“No,” she uttered flatly.

“What?” he replied in disbelief – and then chuckled. “Are we negotiating, Laurel? Good heavens, you are smarter than I remembered. Of course, we’re negotiating – and that’s cool. That means you understand and accept, and we’re just working out the details now.”

“Details,” she whispered, horrified and dismayed at this emotionless proposal from the one person she had always dreamed of marrying someday. “Yes, we’re working out the details.”

“I’ll handle everything regarding the move – or rather my agent will. You just need a passport, and we’ll get a VISA rushed for all three of us and…”

“And a new computer,” she breathed, testing the waters. “One for me and one for Kendall.”

“Of course.”

“And I want an office or library space where I can work.”

“You don’t have to work as my wife.”

“Iwantto work, and what happens when I’m not your wife?”

“Ahhhh,” he nodded, tapping his temple and crossing his arms over his chest. “See? Smart. I wouldn’t have thought of that, but you are always thinking ahead – aren’t you?”

“That’s me,” she hesitated nervously, her brain barely functioning. “Always thinking… right?”

“What else?”

“That you park your car a safe distance from mine.”

“You’re getting a different car,” he frowned. “That thing will never make the drive to Canada from here. I’ll buy you one in Quebec.”

“And we’ll share a bedroom,” she whispered, looking at him and feeling her face flush hotly as she nearly choked out the words. If she was marrying him, then she was going to someday have enough courage to live out her fantasy of touching him or kissing him.

“Absolutely not,” he frowned – and she flinched.

Okay, maybe no fantasy,she thought, swallowing and looking away from him, fighting back the rush of panic and self-depreciation that suddenly flooded her.

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