Page 67 of The Holiday Fakers
Uh-oh…
“Go on,” Marv says, leaning forward.
“How about I fix some mistletoe in one of the trees? It’ll look so pretty with all the snow, and I think there should be at least one picture of them kissing.”
Marv glances at us. “Uh … I’m not sure?—”
“And they could also make out on the Wishing Bridge over the Hideaway Spring! It’s so romantic. It’s where John and I first kissed.” She sighs happily. “And where he proposed.”
Her dreamy eyes snap into focus, and she looks at Brody, clearly hoping he will follow in Dad’s footsteps. “You and Piper should kiss there. It’ll make the most beautiful picture!”
Suddenly I’m having an out-of-body experience, one where my hormones have kicked out logic and common sense and taken over operations. “Yes, it would,” I hear myself say. “Sounds like a great idea.”
Marv’s eyes light up, and he turns to Brody. “There we go. Piper’s up for it. You on board?”
CHAPTER 13
BRODY
Am I on board?
“Hell, yeah!” my dick says, while my mind yells, “Fuck no!”
However my body refuses to listen to reason, and I shift in the seat, my leg that’s touching Piper’s pressing closer against hers.
She doesn’t move away.
Why did she say it’s a good idea for us to kiss? To help me out? Or because she wants to?
Is she feeling guilty for questioning my motives at the hotel? And is now going above and beyond what we agreed to?
I’ve noticed that a British accent is … appealing to her. But isthatwhat does it for her, or does she actually likeme? Am I going to have to change my name to Lord Brody of Hideaway and permanently speak like I’ve stepped out of a period drama with a silver spoon lodged up my butt?
My mind is whirling, trying to find a pattern in her behavior that points to her seeing me as someone more than a friend. Does she have a Google Alert set up for my name? It sure looks like that. And if so, how long has she had it? And why? Research? Does she know every fuck up I’ve been involved with over the last couple of years?
If she does then there’s no way in hell she’d want to have anything to do with me.
And it’s why I can’t entertain the idea of a kiss, or anything more than friendship. Every relationship I have turns to shit. Love is a luxury I can’t manage and don’t deserve.
“Hey man, you in, or what?” Marv says.
Say no!
“Yeah, sure. Why not?” I reply, going for nonchalant but coming off like I don’t really give a shit either way.
Which isn’t exactly the truth.
“Don’t sound too excited,” Mia says sarcastically, and I wince.
“It’s okay,” Piper says into her mug. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“Of course he wants to, honey!” Erica cries. “He’s in love with you. Everyone can see it. He’s probably just a bit shy. Are you feeling shy, Brody?”
Jeez. It sounds like I’m a kid in kindergarten, being pushed to talk to a pretty girl.
“I just don’t want it to look fake,” I say. “Staged.”
Mia snorts, then flinches as if someone’s just kicked her under the table.
