Page 10 of Claiming the Fake Boyfriend
"Much." I pull the jacket closer, fighting the urge to bury my nose in the collar. "What is this?" I ask, accepting the glass he offers.
"My newest seasonal brew. Thought you might want to be the first to try it outside the brewery."
I take a sip, pleasantly surprised by the complex flavor with hints of caramel, apple, and something warming I can't quite place. "This is delicious."
"Glad you think so." His smile is pleased, almost shy. "I was hoping you'd like it."
"Does it have a name yet?"
"Working on it. I was thinking 'Autumn's Embrace', like your shop."
Something warm unfurls in my chest that has nothing to do with the beer. "I'm honored."
"You should be. I don't name beers after just anyone." His tone is teasing, but there's something in his eyes that makes me wonder again where the act ends and reality begins.
A burst of laughter from nearby draws our attention. A group of wedding guests has gathered around one of Tucker's friends who appears to be telling a story that has everyone in stitches. Among them is a stunning brunette whose eyes keep drifting in our direction.
"Is that...?" I begin.
"Callie. Yeah." Tucker's jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.
I study the woman more carefully. She's beautiful in a polished, intimidating way. All sleek lines and perfect posture, her maroon dress both elegant and strategically revealing.
"She keeps looking over here," I observe.
"Let her look." Tucker's voice is casual, but I feel the tension in him. "I'm exactly where I want to be."
As if on cue, Callie detaches from the group and begins making her way toward us. Tucker shifts closer to me, his hand finding my waist again.
"Mind if I join you two?" Callie's voice is honey-smooth, her smile practiced. "Tucker, aren't you going to introduce me to your... friend?"
"Girlfriend," Tucker corrects firmly. "Callie Morgan, this is Amber Hill. Amber owns Autumn's Embrace in the Heartwood District."
"How quaint," Callie says with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I've always thought small boutiques were so... charming. Though I don't remember seeing you around when I lived here."
"My shop's been open three years," I reply pleasantly, refusing to be intimidated. "Right across from the brewery, actually."
"Oh, so you’re neighbors. How convenient." Her gaze flicks between us, calculating. "And now you're...more. How long has this been going on?"
Before I can fumble through our poorly planned backstory, Tucker speaks. "Some connections are just waiting for the right moment." He looks down at me, something soft and genuine in his expression. "Sometimes what you're looking for is right in front of you."
Callie's smile tightens. "How... sweet. Tucker never struck me as the settling-down type, but people change, I suppose."
"Some do," Tucker agrees, his eyes never leaving mine. "When they have a good reason."
My heart is pounding so loudly I'm sure they both can hear it. The lines between pretend and reality have never felt blurrier.
"Amber!" Mia's voice breaks the moment. "We need you for the bouquet toss!"
"Duty calls," I say, grateful for the interruption. "It was nice meeting you, Callie."
As I turn to leave, Tucker catches my hand, pulls me back, and before I can process what's happening, he'skissingme.
Not a quick peck, but a proper kiss, his lips warm and insistent against mine. I respond instinctively, my free hand finding his shoulder for balance as the world seems to tilt around us.
He pulls back just enough to whisper against my lips, "For authenticity."
But the heat in his eyes, the slight roughness in his voice, suggests this has nothing to do with our charade and everything to do with the electricity that's been building between us since that first collision on Foxglove Lane.
