Page 49 of Lucky in Love
“Oh, here we go again,” Brody muttered. “I live here. What areyoudoing here?”
Alex seemed to process the question and realize he was correct. “Well, I know that. I mean, why are you back early?”
“Snowstorm.” He put a hand on his hip. “You’re still not explaining why you’re in my bed.”
“Okay,” Alex said, pushing off the covers and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She wore one of his T-shirts, and Brody was temporarily mesmerized by her tiny yet toned legs. “I know this looks bad. Thisisbad, actually. I don’t normally go around sneaking into renters’ beds.”
“And wearing their clothes?” He glanced at her attire and raised an eyebrow. She pulled on the hem of the shirt, and her cheeks burned pink.
“My mom showed up. She’s…difficult.”
“Alex,” Brody said. “Focus. Why are you inmybed?”
Alex blew out a breath. “She and her new fiancé took over my cabin. I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
“What about your friends? Or your grandpa?”
“Yes. Okay, under other circumstances, those would be options.”
“What other circumstances?” he asked. “What are you talking about?”
“Ugh. She thinks we’re dating.” Her shoulders slumped, cheeks turning even pinker.
“Your mom? Why would she think that?”
“Look, she got to me, okay? Got my goatrealgood. I had to let her know she’s not better than me. That it’s possible for a man to love me. That I’m not a total loser who will be stuck, single and alone, in GVF forever. That I will make something of my life, even here, in this small town.”
Oh, dear. She was melting down quickly and thoroughly right before his eyes.
“All right. All right,” he said. “So you told her we’re dating. Are we also living together?”
“No.” She huffed. “When they demanded to stay at my cabin, and I explained there wasn’t room for all three of us, she basically goaded me into staying with you. Insinuated our relationship wasn’t real!”
“Um, I hate to point out the obvious…”
“I’ve already conceded that I fudged the truth, okay?” She waved a hand. “Once the lie was out there, I’d pigeonholed myself. Why would I bother my grandpa or a friend when my boyfriend’s cabin is so close? And honestly, I wasn’t in a mood to talk to anyone. This was just easier.”
“Oh, yes. I see,” he said. “Quick question. Why me?”
“It’s a small town, Brody.” She shrugged. “Pickings are slim. It was you or…well, you or nobody.”
“I’m the only single guy in Green Valley Falls?”
“The only handsome, successful one I knew was out of town all weekend.”
He narrowed a brow. “You trying to butter me up? To play along with this?”
“Just stating facts. And no, I don’t expect you to perpetuate this hoax. I’ll regain my senses and come clean tomorrow. I can’t admit I lied, but I’ll tell her we broke up.”
“Wow,” Brody said. “I thought my relationship with my mom was complicated. I stand corrected.”
Alex slapped a hand over her mouth as a psychopathic laugh escaped. “She makes me crazy. Literally, crazy. What am I doing in your bed? Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I let her get to me like this.”
“In your defense, I was supposed to be gone,” he said matter-of-factly. “It was reasonable to assume I’d never be the wiser, and your lie would be a harmless one.”
He didn’t mention that he would have noticed. The smell of her flowery shampoo had already taken over the room. He was sure his pillow smelled of her too.
“Yes.” She nodded emphatically. “That’s exactly what I thought. It never occurred to me you’d come home early. I thought I could get away with this without you ever knowing.”
