Page 34 of That Kind of Guy

She threw her hands in the air with joy. “Of course you would get to touch them. Turtles produce oxytocin, the cuddle hormone, just like people do. We always need volunteers to help at the rehab center. It’s just like those programs at the hospitals where people hold newborn babies.”

“Except people cuddle turtles?” Avery asked.

Miri lit up. “Exactly! You get it. Some people don’t get it.”

I pictured myself holding a turtle. My skin felt hot and cold, like when I had the flu last year.

Scott gave me a sidelong look. “It would be great campaign press.”

Avery nodded at me, barely containing herself. She was vibrating, she was so excited. There was a flash of something in her eyes, and I remembered her hissed words from Friday from beneath the mushroom hat.

I will make you pay for this. Revenge, thy name is Avery.

Her eyes danced over my face. “It really would, Emmett, and it would be great for you to take a break and do something you love—touch turtles.”

Miri was radiating with excitement. “Come touch turtles with me, wouldn’t you?”

There was no getting out of this one, not at this moment at least.

“I would be honored to,” I told Miri, “and Avery would too.”

“What?” Avery blanched. “I’m busy that day.”

Miri shook her head, still smiling. “We haven’t set a date yet.”

We did set a date for the following week for Avery and I to drop by and help out at the disgusting turtle rehab. While Miri and Avery talked more about Miri’s volunteer organizations around town, and Scott told me about the renovations he was doing on their kitchen, I made a mental note to ask Div to schedule conflicting meetings that day that I couldn’t possibly get out of. Avery would be stuck holding the slimy creatures all by herself. Served her right.

I glanced over at her, smiling and listening attentively. Her fingers toyed with her necklace, and her eyes sparkled in the light as Miri talked.

I had to admit, as I sat there, watching her, that she was the perfect person to be my fake girlfriend, not just because of her people skills and an equal desire on her part to make it look real, but because she was actually very beautiful. I knew what I looked like, and the two of us together? People would watch us walk by, my arm draped casually over her shoulders, and they’d comment on what beautiful kids we’d make. Exactly what I wanted them to think.

It helped that I didn’t mind the idea of draping my arm around her, either. Not one bit.

As we departed the restaurant later, Scott gave me another firm handshake.

“Congratulations, Emmett,” he said, nodding at me. “You’ve done alright for yourself.”

“I sure have,” I told him. Everything was going perfectly to plan.

Miri gave us a conspiratorial look. “Do we hear wedding bells in the future?”

“What? No,” I said before I could catch myself.

“Definitely not,” Avery said quickly, and Miri looked crushed.

“I mean,” I began. Shit, I had to save this. “Who knows.” I smiled at Miri, and her mouth fell open with a knowing look.

Avery and I exchanged a glance. What had I just done?

“Miri, can you take a picture of us?” I asked.

“Of course.” She waved between us. “Get closer.”

I handed her my phone and put my arm around Avery’s shoulders. She fit right against me, and I could feel the warmth of her skin through her clothes. I could smell her hair, light and sweet. My cock twitched, and I inhaled sharply.

Jesus Christ, Rhodes. Get yourself together.I hadn’t been turned on so quickly since I was a teenager.

“Give each other a kiss,” Miri suggested.

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