Page 123 of Fake Married to the Grumps

Looking closer, I realize he has a large build and a cute smile. It’s understandable if Gracie has a crush on the guy.

She’s not going to be hooked on me forever, is she?But seeing her blush and laugh at his words makes my chest tighten with force.

She turns around and heads back to the car with a full grin. I silence the jealous thoughts invading my mind and try to ignore the pounding in my temples.

The moment Gracie enters the car and starts the engine, I blurt out, “Who was that?”

“That was Tyler,” she answers with ease and pulls into reverse drive. “He’s new in town, works at the bay every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and he makes it easy for me to pick up any deliveries the store needs.”

She’s focused on the road ahead, and I nod slowly as her words sink in. I bite down on the remaining questions racing through my mind. Gracie doesn’t owe me any explanation.

We fall silent for the rest of the drive back to Espresso Books. Once we arrive, Gracie and the other employees unload the cartons of books.

I enter the café and sit down quietly to entertain my thoughts.

It’s all going to happen fast.Those girls will definitely post the video of me and Gracie together. When they do, Zane will help make it blow up, which will spark rumors about my relationship with Gracie.

I’ll use this to my advantageand find a way to convince Gracie to be my fake girlfriend or fiancé for a while. Just until I can convince the team’s management that I’m different.

Knowing Gracie, she will need a little push if she’s going to agree to help me.That’s why I need Zane to make sure whatever video those girls post goes viral.

I’ll explain everything to Gracie when the time is right, but for now, I need to play my cards right.

It’s a selfish plan because I can never really love Gracie.

I’ll never let myself love anyone.But Gracie is the best woman for the job because she knows me so well and I can tell she still has feelings for me.

Chapter 5

Gracie

Love changed me, Sophie …Your love made me better.Tears cling to my eyes as I read the final chapter of a novel I’ve been struggling to finish for the past two days.

I love Sophie and Dave’s story. It’s the kind that makes you want to keep flipping each page of the book without a care in the world.

It’s a peaceful afternoon, and the café has barely had any customers all morning. Natalie sits across from my table and focuses on her phone while the other employees are reading.

I love the quiet afternoons because I can get a lot of reading done.

Trevor hasn’t been here all day, thankfully. His absence also helps me stay calm and in control.I’m a hot mess when he’s around,and it’s worse that he doesn’t even notice anything about me.

A deep sigh vibrates through me as I flip my book’s page over and continue reading.

A second later, Natalie draws in a loud gasp that catches everyone’s attention and murmurs, “Holy …” She doesn’t complete her sentence as I lift my head to look at her. She reaches for her cup, but knocks it over in her clumsiness, spilling her coffee all over the table.

Her eyes land on mine, and they hold the frightening hint of her panic as she looks at me.

“You’ve got to see this, Gracie! Oh goodness! This is a mess.”

She leaves her seat and hurries towards me without pausing. Natalie hands over her phone to show me the video playing.

“This is you and Trevor, isn’t it?” she asks in a chilly tone.

“What’s this?” I snatch her phone and peer closely at the screen to better view the recording. I’m holding Trevor’s hand in the video, and he links our fingers before he turns and smiles at me.

The moment is captured perfectly, and I already know the kinds of rumors it will spark even before I read the caption attached to the Instagram post.

Trevor Hawkins spotted cozying up to his girl in the small beach town where he grew up.

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