Page 49 of Fractured Faceoff

I looked at Jared, raising an eyebrow. "Did you get invited to Ava and Kash's barbecue this weekend?"

He smirked. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Well, you've got fifteen minutes before my first session starts," I said, glancing at the clock on my computer screen.

Jared walked over, closing the door behind him. He took a seat at my desk, leaning back in the chairas if he owned the place. "All right, here's what I'm thinking for our first public outing as a couple."

I folded my arms and leaned against the wall, giving him my full attention. "I'm all ears."

"We tell everyone that we started hanging out after Ava and Kash's engagement announcement," he began. "You know, since we met back at that spring charity thing after so much time apart. Don’t tell me you already forgot our origin story. One thing led to another, and I kissed you."

"You kissed me?" I repeated, incredulous. "Before we even started this whole charade? No way would I let you."

"Well, you were slightly drunk," he countered with a grin. "Still upset over Brody. And you were asking me if you were attractive."

"Absolutely not," I said firmly, shaking my head.

"Why not?" He shrugged, leaning forward on the desk. "It's believable. Everyone knows Brody did a number on you."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "So your grand plan is to make me look desperate and vulnerable? That's not happening."

"Fine," he said with a sigh, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "How about this: We hung out after the engagement party to catch up. We ended up talking about old times and decided to hang out more often because you could use a little more fun in your life."

"And?" I prompted.

"And we realized there was something more between us," he finished.

I frowned. "It's still missing something. Why would we go from zero to dating in just a couple of days? I'm not that desperate."

Jared's eyes lit up with an idea. "Okay, how about this:We had a heart-to-heart after the engagement party about everything that's happened in our lives recently—your breakup with Brody, my issues with love in general—and we realized how much we actually have in common."

I considered it for a moment. "That's better... but it still feels too rushed."

He snapped his fingers. "We were both tired of being second-best—me with, well, you know, and you with Brody always prioritizing the job over you—and decided to give it a shot because we didn't want to feel like that anymore."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "It's still not quite right."

Jared leaned back again, crossing his arms behind his head. "Well then, Miss Perfectionist, what's your suggestion?"

I thought for a moment before speaking up again. “We were both at the engagement party feeling miserable for our own reasons—me because of Brody and his stupid co-host's infidelity and you because of Ava choosing Kash over you—so we ended up getting drunk together.”

He nodded slowly. “And?”

“And we decided that since our lives were already falling apart,” I continued, “why not add some chaos by dating? Not because we're serious but… but because we're lonely. We already know each other, so we don't have to worry about finding out who we are. And, I don't know, maybe we didn't want to be alone right now. And we both decided it's casual. Nothing serious. It’s crazy enough to be believable.”

He chuckled softly. “You might be ontosomething there.”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Jared’s presence. "I am," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

"So," he said, stepping closer to me, his eyes locked onto mine. "When did our first kiss happen?"

My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a thunderous reminder of how close he was. "After..." I cleared my throat, trying to find the words. "After we decided... you know... that we would..."

His eyes twinkled with mischief as he cocked his head to the side. "Maybe we should practice," he suggested. "You know. Just to make sure."

I licked my lips without thinking, drawing his gaze to my mouth. The room seemed to shrink around us.

"You know, sugar," he murmured, his voice low and smooth. "I've always thought your lips looked soft."

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