Page 23 of Buckled in Barbwire

My brain misfires and I recoil. “Can you repeat that? I must have misheard you.” I feel dizzy while waiting for him to strike again.

“The entire town already assumes you’re infatuated with me. Might as well make it work in our favor. It’s not too big of a stretch.”

That explanation does little to unravel the mess in my mind. Brody watches while I grapple for a response. His unyielding attention feels like I’ve been dropped in a pressure cooker.

“Okay, hold on. Let me get this straight,” I mumble as a throb blooms at my temples. “You want us to fake date?”

“As a start.”

I’ll have to circle back to that cryptic statement. “And you’re proposing this sham because…?”

His jaw clenches. The slight reaction reveals more than he’s probably willing to admit. “I need you to play this small part in order for me to become the owner of Benson Farmstead. Once the company is officially mine, you’ll be free of me.”

“Ohhh,” I sputter. “The plot thickens. Youneeda girlfriend. It’s not just a request. It’s a requirement.”

“Yes,” he grates. “It’s an obligation I need to fulfill.”

Did I just stumble into a romance novel?

Laughter spills from me—the type that’s catty and brittle. I was right to be suspicious. “No wonder you’re being almost nice to me. You want to use me as a prop.” My glare attempts to pierce through his armor. “The answer is no.”

“Why don’t you think about it for longer than five seconds?”

I count to ten just to watch his eyelid twitch. “Oh, look at that. I still don’t want to fake date you.”

“What can I do to change your mind?”

“Nothing.” I cross my arms to ward off this ridiculous ploy. “I’m not a pawn, Brody. For you to assume otherwise is very enlightening.”

“You’re upset. That wasn’t my intention.” Sincerity is noticeably absent in his tone.

“Could’ve fooled me. I didn’t even accept your apology, but I guess it doesn’t matter since that was fake too. Your true colors are showing, and they’re several shades darker than morally gray.”

“I’m not the bad guy,” he defends. “Blame my father.”

There’s a sharp hitch in my breath as I picture Dennismaking such demands. “He’s forcing you to choose me specifically?”

“Not exactly.”

A small slice of relief worms through me. “You and your ulterior motives can find someone else. It’s probably best if she doesn’t sparkle too much.”

“Where’s the fun in that? You’re the only candidate I’ll consider, Twinkles.” Just the way he phrases the offer is cold and detached. A simple business transaction.

My huff is deliberate, slicing through the red tape and dotted line I’d surely have to sign. “I can’t imagine why you’d pick me, not that it makes a difference.”

“Convenience is a major factor. It’s plausible that we’d cross the line while working together. That’s why the entire population of Cloverleaf Meadows already assumes we’re a couple. Why would I bother looking elsewhere when you’re already cast for the role?” His gaze takes a leisurely stroll along my curves as if he actually likes what he sees. “But most importantly, you’ll hate the arrangement as much as me. Maybe more. We’re not at risk of developing real feelings.”

“A true love match.” My eyes roll twice for good measure. “Unfortunately, I’m not interested.”

“Take a few days to decide.” He must have cotton stuffed in his ears.

“My answer won’t change,” I reiterate.

The green in Brody’s eyes appears to flash. “Everybody has a price, Twinkles.”

“That might be true.” I flutter my lashes before skirting around him to ditch this pointless debate. “But even you can’t afford mine.”

“Are you sure that’s him?” The most recent inquirer doesn’t bother to whisper.

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