Page 19 of Maybe, Probably
Harper
“IthinkIhavetheperfect plan.”
I look over at him and see the mischievous glint dancing in his crystal blue eyes. A little flutter of excitement works its way through my stomach from that look.
“And what would that be?”
His lips quirk to the side, resulting in the most panty dropping smirk I’ve ever come to experience first hand. Flutters start to reappear, descending deep into my core. I bring my thighs together to quell the ache that has started to form. Whatever he has planned, it’s either going to be crazy, or too good to pass up.
“You see, this could benefit the both of us. You can get some revenge on Dukey boy, and I can get my parents off my back for a bit.”
A scoff leaves me, and I find myself raising my eyebrow in question. “Get your parents off your back about what exactly?”
Sighing, he swirls his empty glass around on the bar top. “For as long as I can remember, my mother has been fixated on the fact that I’m single. Apparently, running a successful vet clinic doesn’t mean anything if I don’t also have someone by my side to show off my success.” He shakes his head while looking into his cup. “She’s made it her life's mission to find me someone to be with. She even set me up on a blind date once. She didn’t tell me it was a blind date, I found out when this woman approached me knowing my name and introduced herself to me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t want to find someone, but the clinic is thriving. I want toexpand it and make itbetterfor everyone who has pets. So that has been my focus.”
I smile because the passion in his eyes is evident in how much he loves his job.
“I can say first hand how good you are at your job. Even if your bedside manner needs a little work.” My shoulder softly bumps into his.
He sighs. “I swear to you I’m not always like that, you caught me on an off day.” He looks at me with some defeat in his eyes, his smile a little sad.
“It’s okay,” I say. “ I was just bugging you.” I take a hefty gulp of my drink while the conversation stalls.
His lips lift briefly before his features turn more serious. “So, I guess what I’m asking you is– will you be my fake girlfriend?”
My thoughts slam to a halt, the question held up like a billboard in my head as I try to comprehend what he just asked. Is this really something I want to do? Fake dating? I don’t know if I can prevent myself from falling for this gorgeous man, even unintentionally. And when this inevitably ends? I’ll be left with a broken heart, while everyone else moves on with their lives.
Butto see the look on Dalton’s face when I show up to his new family dinner would be priceless. Sosatisfying. I’m still battling with myself on what to do when I’m brought back to the present when Xavier grumbles something under his breath. I wait for him to repeat it so I can actually hear him.
“This was a stupid idea, I’m sorry. Forget I brought it up.” He raises his hand signaling to the bartender for another.
Slightly panicked, I reach out, gently placing my hand on his forearm. “No, no. Sorry, I’m just thinking it all through. To be honest I’m probablyoverthinkingthis whole thing. Let’s just kind of go over what exactly it is that we would be doing.” I don’t look at him while I’m talking. I was so transfixed on the tattoos under my finger tips. I didn’t realise how many tattoos he has, I mean, I saw he was tattooed on his Capture. But seeing them up close is a whole other experience, and I am mesmerisedby the intricate work of the roses that work up his forearm, as it twists and curves around.
He clears his throat, and my eyes snap up to his. Heat creeps up my cheeks at being caught ogling his ink. I take my hand away quickly and grab for my drink, embarrassment swarming me. Then I do what I do best.
Word vomit.
Again.
“I just mean, are we just doing this for family dinners? Or are there other events that you need me to join you at? I don’t have many outings per say where I’ll need a fake boyfriend. I’m an editor, and I work from home so I don’t have much going on. I’m not really close to my family, so there are no Christmas ordeals or dinners that need to take place. Evie is my only true family, and she’s been there for me for as long as I can remember. The only other person I had was Dalton, but we both know how that went.” I down the remainder of my drink, taking a moment to look around the bar. The sound of off-tune music floods the space, encouragement and soft laughter filling in around it. People truly enjoy karaoke night; it’s magical, and I completely get it.
I spot Evie staring intently at me, and her stare alerts me to the fact that I’m rambling and making a fool of myself. She quickly jumps up, making her way toward me. “Anyways, so you know. Just ground rules. Planning. That kind of stuff. I like to plan, I like to know exactly what is going to happen, and if we could write it down somewhere that’d be awesome. While I like to plan, I swear I’d forget my own head if it wasn’t attac—”
“Hi there! I’m Evie!” She interrupts by wrapping her arm around my shoulder, sinking into my side, extending her hand for a shake. Effectively silencing my onslaught of word vomit with a single action—perfect.
Amusement shines in his eyes, as a low rumble rises from his throat, smokey and thick, before he extends his hand to shake Evie’s. “Hi, Xavier.” When I look up I’m startled to see that his eyes haven’t drifted from me. “I was just trying to make some plans with Harper here to get coffee sometime.”
Stunned. Silence. My lips fall open in an “O” shape, and I’m unsure if I heard him right. He can’t possibly be talking to me right? Wait, no. Of course he is, he saidHarper. That’s me. I’m Harper.Holy shit, what?
“Uh yeah! I mean, yeah coffee. Sounds good. Oh look! My drink is empty! I think I have had about enough for tonight though.” I push the empty glass toward the other side of the bar and run my hands down my thighs. “Evie, are you ready to head out?”
Evie eyes me skeptically, but she nods. “Uh yeah, that was why I came over here. Our ride share is just about here.”
I look over at Xavier, giving him a small smile. “Well, I guess that’s it, then. It was really nice talking with you.” I start to get up but feel a hand on my forearm. I look at the point of contact and then my eyes move over to those stunning blue eyes that are focused on me. A small smirk rests on his lips.
“Can I get your number?” he asks, voice low and directed only to me. “You know, so I can take you out for coffee?” He winks, and I realize he’s asking me out to start our secret tryst.
He wants to pretend to date to get his parents off his back. I get the benefit of revenge on Dalton, and I get the satisfaction of seeing the shock on his face. Ha, that’d be a sight to see. I’m softly chuckling to myself but feel the energy shift. I look up and see Evie with a hand over her mouth, holding in a laugh at my expense. My eyes trail over to Xavier, and he’s still looking at me, one eyebrow raised when our gazes collide.
