Page 121 of Never Kiss and Tell

Two days. Two days to make the most of what’s left of our deal.

Bailey

“You look hot,” Savannah chimes from my phone. I have her on a video call and propped up on the desk while I finish my makeup for the rehearsal dinner. “That dress matches your eyes,” she says, tying her hair in the perfect bun she wears for her ballet practices.

I’ve chosen a silky light blue dress with a large bow to tie it together in the back. It’s beautiful, one of the only dresses I’ve picked out without the help of my mother and sister and I think I did a great job.

“Thanks,” I murmur, slipping on a light teak rose lipstick. “Is this too much?” I ask, pulling her closer so she can get the full effect of my face in the camera.

“No. It looks perfect.”

“You’re just trying to butter me up.”

“Never. Is that a new locket?” she asks, narrowing her eyes.

I pull the chain up from between my breasts. “No. The chain disintegrated one night and Charlie had it repaired and had the locket cleaned.” I open it up, showing the picture dad had putinside of us kids and him.

“Oh,Charliehad it fixed?” She wags her eyebrows like a cartoon villain.

I roll my eyes, resisting the urge to fan my face. All of a sudden, my room feels five thousand degrees hotter.

“You’re very flushed, Bails. Do you need to sit down?” she snickers, flashing her megawatt smile at me.

“I’m fine,” I snap, busying myself by running my fingers through my loose curls. “And yes, before you ask, we’ve been seeing each other.”

“Finally,” she sighs. “I’ve been trying to get you to date him for years.”

“We aren’tdating.”

“Are you doing anything together other than fucking?”

I grit my teeth. “Yes.”

She shrugs. “Then you’re dating. I think it’s good. You both seem like you need someone that’s willing to work on a relationship.”

I shake my head. “It’s temporary.”

She shoots me an exasperated look. “Why, Bailey? Why does it have to be temporary?”

“Because we’re from two different planets. Because Mom will disown me.” I bite my bottom lip, suddenly very emotional. “Hedoesn’t want me like that.”

This is one of those rare instances where Savannah doesn’t automatically know what to say. I can’t blame her. There’s nothingtosay.

“Do you want him like that?” she asks quietly.

I open my mouth to speak, but footsteps in the hallway forceme to snap my mouth shut. Charlie steps in the room, eyeing me with a guarded expression.

Heat instantly comes to my cheeks when I catch a glimpse of him. God, in a suit, he could melt the panties off a nun.

He must notice, because his lips quirk in a devilish grin. He steps up behind me, bends, and places a kiss to my forehead.

Savannah clears her throat on my phone and I’m embarrassed to say I forgot she was there for a moment.

“Oh, Charlie, this is my sister. Savannah, you remember Charlie.”

“I don’t know, do I?” she jokes, shooting me a coy smile. I glare at her, willing her to shut the hell up, but it just makes her laugh.

“Ma’am,” Charlie nods, turning his attention back to me. “You ready to go?”

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