Page 34 of Someday You Learn

“I’m not being critical, Cashlynn,” I say apologetically. “I’m just trying to understand.”

She takes a shaky breath, her bottom lip trembling. “Well, I don’t need you to understand,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “But at least try to be supportive, okay?”

Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m walking toward her, tipping her chin up so she’s looking me dead in the eye. “Isn’t that what I’m doing as the fake fiancé?” There’s a hint of humor in my voice, and thankfully, it brings a faint smile to her face. “Being supportive?”

She swallows roughly. “Contrary to what you might think, I’m not stupid.”

“I never said you were.” Our eyes remain locked, but when my gaze dips down to her lips, I instantly take a step back, needing the distance.

Cashlynn inhales deeply and then turns back to her boxes. “I’m going to start unpacking.”

Warily, I begin to retreat from the room. “Yeah, okay. I guess I’ll leave you to it.”

She nods but doesn’t look back, so I walk out of her room, closing the door behind me.

“Jesus,” I mutter to myself as I make my way back into the kitchen to retrieve my now cold coffee. And I could use a cold shower—because after just thirty minutes of being in the same space as Cashlynn O’Neil, I’m already hot and bothered, and not in a good way.

***

I’m sitting on the couch, flipping through the television channels when Cashlynn emerges from her room a few hours later.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

She bites her bottom lip before speaking. “I’m starving. Want me to grab something for lunch?” She juts her thumb toward the front door.

Looking up at her, I shake my head. “Not necessary. I have food here.” Standing from the couch, I head into the kitchen, aware of her trailing behind me. When I reach the fridge, I turn around to speak to her and we bump into each other, her breasts brushing against my chest.

“Fuck.”

“Sorry,” she says quickly.

“I didn’t realize you were right behind me,” I say, slightly irritated as I open the fridge and Cashlynn peers over my shoulder.

“I was just trying to see inside.”

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m just not used to someone else being here.”

She places her hand on my shoulder. “Parker, I’m—”

“I have stuff for sandwiches,” I say, not letting her say sorry for the thousandth time.

“Uh, sandwiches sound great.”

Cashlynn moves to one of the stools on the other side of the island as I take out turkey, cheese, and the rest of the fixings. As I start assembling the sandwiches, she drums her fingers on the counter.

“So, not to put any more stress on you, but I think we need to get our story straight.”

I peer up at her. “What story?”

“You know, the story of how we met, how we started dating…all of that.” She taps the counter in front of me. “My father wants to have dinner with us, and we need to be on the same page.”

I nod, already knowing this was coming. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

“Well,” she starts, “I think we should stick as close to the truth as possible. Easier to remember.”

“Makes sense,” I say, turning my attention back to the sandwiches.

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