Page 48 of Fake It for Christmas

I felt like I’d just been caught red-handed.

We didn’t have an answer for that. We had nothing close. We’d practiced talking about how we’d met, what our families thought of each other, even potential future plans. But this question was a curveball.

I bit the inside of my cheek, my nervousness ratcheting up even more. Rowen had been schmoozy and quick to talk for the whole call, but for the first time, there was a pause in the flow of the conversation.

I glanced over at him, feeling panic settle in my veins.

This was it.

This was when we were going to lose our shot at being on my favorite show of all time.

But a slow smile spread over Rowen’s face, and he glanced over at me, squeezing my hand again.

“It was the first time he offered to make breakfast for me,” Rowen said, looking at the camera and talking to the Fixer Brothers.

I felt like he’d just pinned me against a wall. All at once, I was grateful for him and so confused.

“Breakfast made you fall in love, huh?” Nathan asked.

“It wasn’t just the promise of food, although that was nice, too,” Rowen said. “But it was the way he showed he cared about me. He was barely awake but he was already offering me coffee and food and being the way only Shane can be: thoughtful andsweet without eventhinkingabout it. He’s not a kind person because he feels like he should be, he’s just naturally that way, every moment of his life. How could I not fall in love with that?”

I felt like my heart was lodged somewhere near my throat. My cheeks got hot as Rowen looked back over at me, leaning in and kissing me on my temple.

Holy hell.

“That’s the simplest answer we’ve ever gotten,” Nathan said, “but to be honest, I think it’s my favorite one.”

“And I can get a sense for that true kindness, even on this short video call,” Shawn said. “We have to hurry to a meeting now, but thank you so much for chatting with us. You’ll hear from us within the next week.”

I swallowed, my throat a little dry. “It’s been incredible,” I said. “Thank you both.”

“Have a great day, you two,” Shawn said, waving out at us.

When I hung up on the video call, my hands were still shaking.

I closed my laptop, looking over at Rowen. Were my hands shaking now because I was talking to celebrities, or because of what Rowen had told me? Hearing him talk about falling in love with me, even if it was fake, did something to me that I couldn’t process.

Something I shouldn’t have let my heart evenfeel, honestly.

“Wow,” I said. “I feel like I’m dreaming right now.”

Rowen gave me a little pinch on my arm. “Not dreaming. You did so well. I could tell they loved you.”

I ran my hands through my hair, standing up from my place on the couch. “You did way better than I did. Every time you have a camera on you, your acting skills show up like you’re a damn superhero.”

He gave me a casual shrug. “I’m here to make sure you get on your favorite TV show.”

But how much of what you said was real?

Was any of it real?

I barely had any chance to wonder about the Fixer Brothers, or time to see Rowen at all, for the rest of the week. The inn was hosting a huge group for a family reunion, and I was working overtime each day. I thought of Rowen more than I should have, though, his smile floating through my mind anytime I looked too long at any holiday decorations and every time I went home at the end of long days.

And by the end of the week, it was time for my own version of a family reunion. Family members started arriving in town prior to the Christmas party, and my cousin Frankie, his fiance, and his parents were all staying in my house.

Rowen arrived on the afternoon of the Christmas party, and I was wearing my brand-new apron as I swung open my front door.

“Holy fuck,” I murmured as I looked out at him.

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