Page 67 of All's Fair in Love and Blackmail

“No,” I say with a sigh as my heart sinks. “I’m fine.”

She doesn’t look convinced, and I don’t blame her. I can’t manage to put on a pleasant expression. Because I think…

Dang it. I think Juliet might be right.

I think IlikeFelix. Even though he’s not my usual type, even though he’s my brother’s best friend. Even though he admitted himself that he doesn’t want to fall in love.

It’s just—he’s so easy to be around. In a hectic, crazy world, he’s restful. When I’m with him, I can laugh or sit in silence or cry, and he never seems to judge me. He teases good-naturedly, but he never makes fun. He’s totally accepting, no matter what version of me he gets.

“You look like you’re about to burst into tears,” Ella says, still looking at me, brows furrowed in worry. “Do you need a second? I can finish up here,” she says, gesturing to the gentle hound dog we’re bathing. Sometimes a bath is a two-person job, but this one really isn’t—he’s a tired old pup, gray and white peppering his fur.

“I’m not going to burst into tears,” I say.I already did that yesterday.“No, I just realized my sister was right about something when I hoped she was wrong.”

“Ooh,” Ella says with a wince. “Bummer.”

“Yeah,” I say, my voice flat. “Bigbummer.”

Maybe I’ll put the dating site on hold. Not permanently—just while I figure out how I feel. I don’t need to sign up right this very second, anyway. And what difference does it make, if I register today versus tomorrow?

Some of that discomfort in the pit of my stomach eases. And by the time I take my break, I’m feeling mostly better.

So what if I do like Felix, anyway? I’m not in love with him. If I did like him, it would be a little crush that would pass. So when my phone rings and I see his name on the caller ID, I answer normally. I need to get out of my head, anyway. It’s not like me to ruminate so obsessively.

“Felicia,” I say.

“Sunshine,” he answers, and I swear I canhearhis smile. “How’re you doing today?”

I pause before answering. Because the truth is, I think I probably need to go on another run, just to clear my mind. But since I know he’s referring to the kitchen incident yesterday, I just say, “I’m much better.”

“Good,” he says. “Then let’s set up our next date, shall we?”

I choke on pure air, a strangled cough bursting out of me. It’s not a great sound, but I manage to splutter my way back to normal after a few seconds.

“That was painful to listen to,” Felix says, his voice cautious now. “You all right?”

“Yes,” I wheeze. “Sorry.” I thump my chest and clear my throat, and when I speak again, I sound better. “Sorry. So yes. Our next—” I can’t bring myself to say date—who knew I was so immature?—so I change the word. “Our next outing. This weekend works for me.”

“Sounds good,” he says. “Let’s do Saturday. We’re starting a big project here at work, so I might go late on Friday.”

“Oh,” I say distractedly as I try to unscrew the top of a water bottle with one hand. “What’s the project?”

“We’re doing a segment on the local news,” he says. “We’ve got an hour-long slot. So we’re working on a program for that.”

I nod, finally getting the lid off the water bottle. I take a few swigs and then speak. “Well, I’ll see you on Saturday, in that case.” I don’t let myself be disappointed; I don’t let my stupid heart be sad. Saturday is five days away, and I can handle going that long without seeing Felix Caine. I’ve lived my whole life not seeing him very often. I’ll be fine.

Except…

“Or,” he says after a second of hesitation, and my pulse thuds—just once, but it does happen. I recognize it now that I’m looking for it.

Ilikehim. I really think I do. Good grief. This is unacceptable.

“Or?” I say.

“Or if you’re going to miss me between now and Saturday?—”

“I’m not,” I lie blatantly, “but go on.”

Once again, his grin is clear in his voice. “Then I can swing by tomorrow evening after work and pick you up. There’s a bakery in town I want to try. The one by the bookstore, actually.”

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