Page 67 of Can't Get Over You
“And I’ve just told them you’ll be living on Bloom Lane.” Her eyelids squeezed shut. “I can’t believe I did this to you. You were probably hoping to live with your dad.” How did she fix it? “Look, I have to put it on the market, but I don’t have to move out right away. It’ll take time to get financing, and, you know, there’s escrow. So we should be okay. And if someone wants to move in sooner, then we can live at your dad’s house. I don’t think the judge will care about our address as long as we’re a couple and giving Cody a good home.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
What have you done?“Look, right now, we’re the only ones who know. Well, except for Willa. If we live together for the next six weeks, we can pull this off. For Cody’s sake. I promise you won’t be responsible for me. You can do your own thing. Work…”Hook up with tourists at Wild Billy’s.“I won’t cramp your style. We’ll hardly even see each other.”
His expression changed. “My style, huh?” Was he amused by all this?
“Yes. You just go on about your business like I don’t exist.”
“But you do exist.”
She grew even more agitated. She couldn’t tell if he was playing with her, and that made her want to clarify. “Just because I forced this situation on you doesn’t mean I expect us to be something we’re not. You don’t have to entertain me.”
The longer she babbled, the higher his brows arched, and the wider his smirk grew.
“I’m justsayingwe’re not a couple. There won’t be any expectations. No…touching or whatever.”
“Well, there might be a little touching, right?”
Her heart flipped over. What did he mean?
He came closer. “Like when we’re both reaching for the same mug, our hands might brush. Or if there’s a storm, and the power goes out, we might bump into each other in the hallway. I’m a pretty big guy. I might knock you over, and I’ll have to catch you”—he put his hands on her hips—“like this, so you don’t fall.”
“I didn’t mean that kind of touching.”
“No? What kind did you mean?” His fingertips landed on her cheek, soft as a butterfly, and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Something a little dirtier?”
He was messing with her, and she didn’t appreciate it. “I only meant you don’t owe me anything. I have no expectations.”
“Fee.” He tipped her chin with a finger. “I’m not mad at what you did. You stood up for me, and I appreciate it. But yes, I do think we have to live together for the next six weeks.”
His scent filled her senses, making her acutely aware of him. Her pulse fluttered in her throat, and she had a hard time breathing. “In my house?”
“Yes.” He grew serious. “Listen, I heard what your ex said yesterday, that he’d give you a week to come up with his half of the down payment.”
Where had she been when they’d had that conversation? She was pretty sure she’d walked Matt to his car. That meant Jude and his family were in the garage, listening.
Awesome.
“I can give you the money.”
“No.” She stepped back from him so fast she bumped into the bed frame. “Thank you, but no. And before you say anything, Willa’s already offered. I’m not borrowing money from anyone.”
“Good. Because it’s not a loan.”
“I’m not taking your money.”
“Hear me out. Right now, you’re supposed to be on your honeymoon. Then you’re off for winter break, right?”
“Right.”
“That’s three weeks. The next three weeks, he can go to and from school with you, so that covers the whole timeframe.”
“And you want to hire me?”
“I do. And I can pay you exactly what you need to buy him out.”
“Are you serious?” She was afraid to get her hopes up. Could this be real?
