Page 20 of Loving You

“—the more we developed an affection for the other,” I finish for him. “It also helps that you’ve been slowly hitting on me foryears and now you hired me to get caught up on your books and whatever.”

“Jesus, now I have to hire you, too? What else do you want, the pin number to my bank accounts?”

I cross my arms and smile. “I have my own money, but thank you for asking.”

He rolls his eyes.

“Come on, Miles. You need the help, and I have time to spare for the next eight weeks. After that, I’m gone and out of your hair—office and apartment. I’ll even let you be the one to break us up.”

He takes a deep breath.

Please say yes. Please. Please.

“It’ll have to work for now, but we don't tell anyone the truth, got it? Luca is my best friend, but Hudson and I didn’t call him Loose Lips Luca for no reason growing up. And we only do this until I can think of a better way to get through to Cherry.”

I can’t help but smile.

I didn’t have to get him into bed for him to listen long enough to agree.

This also might be the first time Miles has ever told me anything about his actual life.

So it’s probably not the best time to tell him that, after what she’s heard, Sadie will definitely know this isn’t real.

“Okay, that’s a smart idea,” I reply anyway. “Have you done this before?”

Miles gives me a look that screamsare you fucking kidding me right now?

“Yeah, Quinn, I fake date women all the time. Last month, I fake dated this girl who wanted new tires.”

I cross my arms and glare at him.

Oh my, that’s some thick sarcasm. Well, it’s like sarcasm mixed with a joke. Maybe.

Does Miles know how to be funny?

“Please don’t be a dick,” I settle with.

“Don’t ask stupid questions.”

“Are we going to be able to do this? We can’t even have a conversation without fighting.”

“No, we can’t, but as much as I don’t want to admit it”—he blows out a breath—“I think this might work to get Cherry to back off for good, so we need to figure it out.”

“We could start by you showing me the apartment.”

He yanks the towel from his back pocket and tosses it onto the counter in front of him.

“If this allows me to finally return to work in peace, let’s do it.”

He passes by me, and I think it’s the first time he isn’t scowling at me.

I follow him out the back and to the apartment door.

“I usually get to work around five, so don’t be alarmed if you hear me early in the morning. The shop door can get sticky in the top corner and makes a popping noise. I’ll fix it by the end of the summer.”

“Okay.”

He unlocks the door then peels the key off the key ring he’d grabbed on the way out the shop.

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