Page 33 of In this Moment

Chapter Eight

Evie had definitely over packed, but part of the reason for that was she hadn’t wanted to make any assumptions about the sleeping arrangements. A fake engagement was a far different thing from a real one, and so far away from prying eyes, they wouldn’t need to pretend.

Not that she wouldn’t have been happy sharing a tent with Declan.

It surprised her to think of just how happy she would be with that arrangement. It had been nice to have him around for the last few days. More than nice. It felt right. Normal. And every time he wrapped his arms around her or kissed her, despite the fact that she knew it was just for show, she couldn’t help but feel that there was some truth to it too. At least forher.

It was the last thing she needed with everything going on with Jonah and Tony, but dammed if she wasn’t falling for Declan McCormick.

“Evie?” Declan’s voice brought her back to the moment. She turned to see Declan standing with the poles for his tent in one hand, the fly cover in the other. “Don’t laugh,” he said. “I know I’m not super experienced at all this, but I can’t figure out how this works for the life ofme.”

There was no way she wasn’t going to laugh. She left her tent, already set up, and crossed over to him. “What’s going on? Surely you’ve set up a tent before?”

He pretended to be offended. “Of course. But this tent definitely seems to be missing a key piece.”

“And what piece is that?” She bent down to examine the situation, spotting the problem at the same moment that he toldher.

“There’s notent.”

He was right. They had the poles and the fly that covered the top of the tent, but there was definitely no tent in the bag. She straightened up. “I don’t know what to tell you.” She shrugged. “This is our old tent and maybe Jonah was playing with it. Either way, how do you feel about sleeping under the stars?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” He took a step toward her. “But, if I’m not mistaken, there looks like there might be some room in yourtent?”

She blushed. Hard.

“After all,” he continued. “We areengaged.”

There was nothing she would like more than to feel the heat of his hard chest pressed up against her back as his arm wrapped around her, holding her tight while they fell asleep in the fresh air. But she had no idea how to tell himthat.

“I…there is…ifyou—”

“It’s fine.” He squeezed her arm and smiled. “I was just teasing. I’m good outside.”

Disappointment floodedher.

It’s notreal.

Those words were starting to play like a mantra in her head. And she was really starting to hateit.

“Since I don’t have a tent to set up, I guess I’ll get started building afire.”

Declan turned away and she released the breath she’d been holding. “Sure. I’ll go find some kindling.”

Evie didn’t go far, but even the little distance from the camp was enough for her to clear her head. It had only been a few days since they’d announced their fake engagement, but there’d been a definite switch in their relationship. Besides the ring on her finger, of course.

It was closer. There was more heat. More tension. More…justmore.

She had to constantly remind herself that Declan was just acting, but for the life of her it didn’t feel like acting. It felt real. Especially because with every minute that passed, Evie found herself wanting with all of her heart for it to bereal.

She took longer than she needed to gather some sticks, dry grass, and bark that was dry enough to help start the fire. But by the time she started her way back to camp, she had a little bit more clarity on the situation. Declan was a great guy. He had to be, considering what he was doing for her: lying to his whole family, the whole town—everyone. And not just a little lie either—a hugeone.

What kind of guy did that for a friend?

The kind of guy who wanted to be more than friends.

No. She had to stop thinking that way. She needed to remember what was at stake, because it was the only thing that mattered. Jonah. Her life. There was no way Tony was going to take it from her, not now. Not after everything.

She needed to get out of her head. She needed to stop thinking about Jonah and Tony and what might or might not happen. There was no point. At least not tonight. She might as well enjoy herself in the woods, especially because it would take her mind off everything.

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