Page 21 of Their Greatest Strength

“So, I’ve got a proposal for you, Blakely.”

“And what is that?”

The group of people in front of us has stalled at the crosswalk up ahead, and we bypass them completely when Blakely turns right, leading us away from them. My brows tug inward at the new direction.

While I may have been born and raised in Vancouver, there are plenty of spots I haven’t explored yet. The upcoming neighbourhood is one of them. It’s silent over here, like the noise from a few steps back has hit a wall and died out completely.

On instinct, I crowd her even more, keeping on the outside of the sidewalk. If she notices, she doesn’t mention it.

“I’ll be blunt here, Blakely. I need a wife.”

Her head whips in my direction, and I bite back a smile at her bewildered expression. I’ve apparently made a habit of surprising people today because that’s exactly how Mom looked at me this morning.

“You need a wife?”

“Yes. It’s a long story.”

“So get to telling it.”

I ignore my damp palms and play it cool. “It’s for the Pythons. They’re looking for a bit of a scandal to boost sales, and I’ve been asked to get married to a fan.”

“Okay, first of all, I’m not a fan. And second, I’m no genius, but I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be telling me all that.”

She has a point, but I risk it anyway. “Explain the shoes, then. You just so happened to be buying a pair of cleats with my name and number on their box only a day after breaking into my place?”

I know she isn’t a fan. If she were, she’d be the worst one I’ve ever met, considering how rude she’s been to me. But I’m not about to turn down a chance to tease her.

Her nostrils flare as she clenches her jaw, avoiding looking at me. “The shoes are for my brother. And if I’d known they were yours, maybe I’d have insisted he ask for a different pair.”

“Ouch, Bandit. That shit hurts right here.” I hit the centre of my chest.

“As if.”

Reaching for her hand, I give it a loose tug. She turns to me, staring down at our hands before pulling free of the hold and crossing her arms.

“I know you’re not a fan,” I clarify, bending the brim of my hat. “That’s what makes you perfect for this role. Not to mention, there’s little chance of you falling for me. Am I right?”

Honestly, it’s not that great that she isn’t a fan. Graham expects me to find one, which means if by some shot I got her to agree to this, I’d have to teach her enough to impress him come meeting time.

“There’szerochance of it.”

“Okay, I wouldn’t say that. I am quite charming when I want to be.”

“You can be as charming as you please, but that doesn’t mean I’ll fall for you.”

I ignore the part of me that searches for the thrill of proving myself. “Fair enough. So, what do you say?”

“No.” She spins away from me and starts down the sidewalk.

“Thank you. You have no idea how grateful I am—” I double blink at where she used to stand. “Wait, no? Why not?”

“You’re asking me to marry you, Jamie. We’re strangers.”

Jogging to catch up with her, I let my determination take the reins. “We don’t have to be strangers. I told the owner of the team that I need three weeks before I marry anyone for this specific reason. We can use it to get to know one another.”

“And then what? We get married? For how long? And what would that even mean? This is insane.”

“Stop walking and I can answer all of your questions,” I plead.

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