Page 15 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

She glances up at me with a twinkle in her eyes and splays her hands out in front of her. “Ask away, I’m an open book.”

“What were you working on so avidly when I walked over earlier?” She places a hand on her laptop protectively. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

She looks at me shyly. I think this is the first time since we’ve met that I’ve seen her hesitant. I watch her eyes look off to the side before she looks back at me with a sheepish grin. “I’m going to take you up on not answering…at the moment.”

I feel my eyebrows lift, and I throw my head back and laugh. A light blush creeps up her face and my gut does a little flip. Our gazes lock, and my heart rate accelerates.

“Susie,” Josh calls out to his sister, and I feel a tightness in my chest. Susie’s eyes snap to her brother, and she hops out of her seat, heading over to where he is. “Are you working on some ‘secret assignment’ again?”

Secret assignment?Now my curiosity is truly piqued. Whatexactlydoes Susie do? I would start asking more questions if I weren’t so concerned about how Josh would react to seeing me here with his sister.

“Josh,” Susie says, using the same annoyed tone Olivia uses with me and Steve. “Why do you have to be such a turd? You know what I do. Mom’s told you what I do…it’s not a secret, nor do I havesecret assignments.”

I push up from the chair and turn to face Susie and Josh. Bracing myself for whatever Josh’s reaction might be.

“Adam, what are you doing here?” Josh tilts his head and narrows his eyes at me. Luckily, I see more curiosity than anger. I let out the breath I was holding, but before I can say anything, Susie answers.

“He just came over—”

“I stopped in to pick up a cup of peppermint tea.” The twinkle in Josh’s eye at my drink choice has the exact effect I hoped for. “I know. Some of my old teammates would call me Peppermint Patty.”

I watch both of their eyes widen before they burst out laughing.

“Peppermint Patty?” Josh asks, just as Susie says. “From Peanuts? That’s classic!”

I roll my eyes at both of them. “Yeah, bring it on. I’m pretty sure you can’t come up with anything I haven’t heard before.”

“Oh, just give me some time,” Josh says with a mischievous glint in his eyes. My gaze falls to his sister beside him, and her eyes dance with humor.

“So, I came in for tea and saw your sister sitting in the back. I wanted to apologize if I came off as being abrupt the other day when I met her and Brie.”

“Susie didn’t overwhelm you with her rambling, did she?” Josh points his thumb at his sister, and I watch her cheeks turn a delightful shade of pink. She smacks her brother on the chest, and Josh pretends to shirk away. “She does this strange rambling thing that gets out of control pretty quickly.”

“Josh,” she shrieks at him.

“What? You get into this whole rambling thing. It can be overwhelming for people.” He turns his face toward me. “Were you overwhelmed?”

Susie covers her face with both hands, and Josh puts his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “It’s okay, Suse. We love you despite you not being able to control your mouth.”

She smacks him again, and this time, I burst out laughing. At the same time, my heart clenches while I watch the two of them. It reminds me of my relationship with my sister Olivia and sister-in-law Nicole.

I give myself a mental shake.

“I think it’s a Pleasant Hollow thing. Mrs. Baker and Maggie did the same thing.”

“You went to the library?” Josh’s mouth drops open, and his eyes almost pop out of his head.

“What? Is it a crime to like to read?” I ask, surprised that going to the library would get such a reaction. “Anyway, I have to get going. I need to study more of the playbook to prepare for practice tomorrow.”

“Let me know if you have any questions or need help.” His answer brings a smile to my face.

“Definitely a Pleasant Hollow thing.” I shake my head and chuckle as Josh turns his chin to the side. I slap his shoulder before starting to head toward the door. “Thanks, man, I appreciate it. You two have a good night.”

I stroll to the door, but before I step over the threshold, I glance back at Josh and Susie. Her smile lights up her face as Josh continues to needle her about the rambling, and my heart clenches.

I need to figure out how to keep my distance from Susie Owens. She is someone I couldeasilyfall for. I was able to wiggle myself out of this situation, but I’m not sure I’ll be so lucky with Josh next time.

Chapter Seven

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