Page 122 of Between Hate and Desire

“Love does that to a person,” Dad says with a smile. “We’re thrilled, Lennon. I can’t imagine a better man for you.”

My heart sinks.

“I can feel the love you two share, and it’s beautiful,” Mom tells me, and my mind goes in overdrive.

I wipe the rogue tears determined to fall. “Thank you.”

“We love you. Good night,” my father says.

“Good night.” I walk away, wishing my parents had had the opportunity to meet Brandon. I like to think they would’ve liked him just as much. With a heavy heart, I climb the stairs.

It took all of forty-eight hours for my parents to fall in love with Hunter. They officially believe our relationship is real, and after these past two days, I almost believe it too.

CHAPTER THIRTY

HUNTER

I wakeup with Lennon in my arms. The curve of her body presses against me, and I want to stay here all day and hold her because once we get on that plane and head back to California, everything will go back to normal. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’m not sure we can go back to normal after this, but I’ll try my damnedest, for her sake.

Lennon shifts, and she lets out a hum.

“You awake?” I whisper, and she shakes her head, which makes me chuckle. “Better get up, so we don’t miss our flight.”

She lets out a sigh, then I slide out of bed and go to the bathroom. When I come back, she’s sprawled out, looking beautiful as always. Her shirt slides up her body and reveals her belly, and I can’t help but smile. That baby has no idea how lucky it is.

“Lennon…”

“I know, I know,” she tells me in her cute sleepy voice as she pushes herself up. After tucking her messy hair behind her ears, she then stretches before standing. She walks out, and by the time she comes back into the room, I’m dressed and ready for breakfast. When she passes me by, her eyes slide up and down my body. She doesn’t say a word, though I have an inkling of what she’s thinking.

Lennon may be able to suppress her feelings, but she can’t hide her physical reactions from me—never has—even when she hated me.

She swallows hard, then forces her eyes away. “I’ll meet you downstairs,” she says, digging through her suitcase.

I give her a side grin and a nod, wishing I could read her mind. As I walk out of the bedroom, I hear her parents’ laughter in the distance. The house smells like bacon, and my stomach growls thinking about it. Lennon’s parents greet me with a cheery good morning when I enter the kitchen.

“I’m finishing up breakfast. Will Lennon be down soon?” Mrs. Corrigan asks as she begins plating the food.

“Yes, ma’am,” I tell her as she sets a large spread in front of me. She even made homemade waffles. “Wow, Mrs. Corrigan. This looks amazing. You’re spoiling me.”

She smiles and pours me a cup of coffee. “I’m going to miss you two being here.”

“I am too,” her dad adds. “It’s been great having kids in the house again.”

This causes me to laugh just as Lennon enters. She’s thrown her hair into a sloppy ponytail, and when our eyes meet, the electricity streaming between us seems to pull her closer. She places a sweet kiss on my lips, then sits down next to me where her mother put a plate piled full. I don’t miss the fact that she initiated a kiss this time. Fake or not, but the way she looks at me is genuine.

“Ready to go back to California?” her dad asks.

A smile barely touches Lennon’s lips. Her eyes meet mine before shifting them to him. “Yeah, but it’s been a perfect visit.”

I couldn’t agree more, but I don’t admit that aloud. Leaving means our fake relationship is over, and everything we pushed aside these past three days will need to be dealt with head on.

“Honey, you two can come back anytime you want.” Mrs. Corrigan beams. I notice the twinkle in her eyes when she looks at Lennon and me. It’s easy to pretend this is real when everyone believes it so easily. If only our innocent lie were the truth.

“I’m sure we’ll be back,” I offer.

“We’d like that,” Mr. Corrigan tells me.

We make small talk for the rest of the time, and when we’ve finished breakfast, Lennon and I go upstairs to pack. As soon as we step inside the bedroom, I notice a rogue tear spill from her cheek. Carefully, I study her, holding back the temptation to kiss away her tears.

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