Page 29 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

This attraction to both Adam and Chase is why I have writer’s block.

I put my phone down and try to rub out the tension in my neck. My emotions are all over the place, and I can’t distinguish between reality and fantasy.

The look on Adam’s face as he talks to me in that video…real. My brother, standing in the way of what could possibly be between us…real.

My conversations with Chase…well the jury’s still out on him. Especially after his non–existent response to my question about us meeting up the next time he’s at a game.

I cover my face with my hands and finally decide that it’s actually time to call it quits for today; my burst of perseverance is gone.

Grabbing my earbuds, I pull up one of my all-time favorite playlists and get ready to do some journaling. I need to get these emotions out of my head and gain some clarity.

And if not clarity, maybe just a quiet mind.

I hit play, and the first song is"How You Remind Me"by Nickelback. I know, I know—you either love or hate them. I get it. Ilovethem—likeobsessivelylove them.

Don’t tell anyone, but Chad Kroeger has been the inspiration for a few of my past heroes. His voice is just so swoony. I’ve dragged Brie to concerts all over the country more times than I can count.

I feel the tension ease as I freely type without holding anything back. I type how I feel about Adam, Chase, my writer’s block, and my annoyance at Josh and Brie.

The words flow from my fingertips. Nothing matters right now. This is about me releasing whatever is in my way of being able to write.

And it feels good.

Completely lost in the music and the flow of words, I nearly fly out of my skin when the seat in front of me slides out from under the table.

I whip my head up to find Adam Daniels standing before me with a boyish grin on his face that has my insides melting. My hand lifts to my chest, hoping to keep my heart from breaking out of my ribcage.

His mouth is moving, but I can’t hear what he’s saying over the pounding pushing its way around my body and the music blasting in my ears.

I pull out the earbuds, and the light laughter falling from him sends a chill through my body.

“I’m so sorry, " he says, trying to control his laughter. Not that I can blame him; I can only imagine what I looked like when he began to slide the chair out. “I called your name and said ‘hi’ right before I grabbed the chair. I didn’t mean to scare you, honest.”

Words are nowhere to be found as I fall into his warm brown eyes, and heat burns my cheeks.

Without touching the seat, he continues standing in front of me, seemingly hesitant to sit down. What is it about this man that leaves me speechless? I shake my head, and a small chuckle escapes me.

I lower the lid of my laptop and hit pause on my playlist, pointing at the chair. “Sit down; I was just finishing up.”

“Are you sure?” A question fills his eyes even as a grin stretches his face, making his dimple pop. “I should’ve just let you be. I noticed you were typing intently but completely missed the earbuds.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.” For the first time since talking to Norma, the knots in my stomach untangle, and I breathe easy. “I think you’re just the distraction I need.”

“I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted,” he teases as he pulls the chair out further and sits.

“Definitely flattered.” I chuckle, then point to his cup. “Grabbing your usual, Peppermint Patty?”

“You know it.” His grin widens, and he lifts the cup to his lips. My heart does this annoying little flip at the sparkle in his eyes. There is something very sexy about a man who is confidentenough to drink herbal tea and not care who knows it. “But I’m glad I ran into you. I wanted to ask you about something.”

“Oh?” My pulse picks up and starts to race. I reach out for my cup, holding it between my hands in an attempt to hide my nerves. “I’m at your service. Ask away.”

I watch him stare at and fiddle with the tea bag label before lifting his gaze to mine. The twinkle I see has my heart doing funny things. “Soooo, are Josh and Brie a thing? Or just fodder for the gossip mill?”

My eyes widen, and I laugh.

“Oh, they’re totally a thing…they just don’t know it yet.” He narrows his eyes and tilts his head at my answer, confusion written all over his face. “They’ve been doing this whole back-and-forth flirting/fighting since we were kids. I’m honestly surprised it's taken this long for them to be the subject ofTea Time. Everyone in Pleasant Hollow thought they’d be married with kids by now. Me included. But they are seemingly one hundred percent clueless when it comes to their feelings for each other.”

“Hmmm, interesting.” He leans back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Darius thinks one of the guys from the Mavs sent in the recording.”

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