Page 64 of Faking It Right
“I’m going to stop you right there,” Danson interjected with a chuckle. “Let the poor boy eat before he spontaneously combusts.”
Sawyer feigned a pout. “Aww, you never let me have any fun.”
He shot her a look that said he wasn’t falling for her act. “I think our collective amnesia regarding your naked fun time with Gia in the hot tub last night would suggest otherwise.”
Everyone laughed except Ryker, who was deep in a shame spiral. I gave his thigh a gentle squeeze in solidarity to remind him everything was okay.
“Well, I’m just so relieved the charade is finally over,” Jacinta said with a knowing smile as she passed the plate of pastries around the table.
Ryker froze mid-bite, his fork suspended halfway to his mouth. His eyes widened in confusion as he stared at his mother.
I kept my expression neutral despite my curiosity prickling at her words. After years of friendship with his family, I’d learned to read between Jacinta’s lines. The way she emphasized “charade” made me suspect she’d known about our fake dating arrangement all along.
“What do you mean?” Ryker squeaked.
“Oh, biscuit. Did you honestly think I didn’t see through your little ruse when you first showed up?” Jacinta snorted in amusement. “You were so jumpy every time Harley touched you. That didn’t say three-week-old relationship as much as it screamed three-hour-old plan in the car on the drive over.”
“I told you Mom would know!” Sawyer crowed, practically doing a victory dance.
Ryker looked like he might regurgitate the little breakfast he’d managed to eat. I rubbed soothing circles on his back, my own mind reeling. Of course they knew. We probably had all the subtlety of a flickering neon sign. All that meticulous planning and rehearsed backstory had been for nothing.
“Your mother tells me everything, son,” Danson added, reaching for his coffee. “We’ve been married almost thirty years. There are no secrets between us.”
Gia radiated glee. “You really should’ve been sneakier if you wanted to keep it under wraps.”
I watched as Ryker’s face cycled through various shades of red, his shoulders hunching forward as if he could disappear into himself. Time to take control of this situation before he shut down.
“Maybe we weren’t subtle, but that’s okay.” I turned to Ryker, making sure he could see the sincerity in my eyes. “Because while it may have started as a charade for you, it was always real for me.”
A hush fell over the table as Ryker’s eyes met mine, understanding dawning in their gray depths that my confession wasn’t part of an act. It was me, as honest as I had ever been in my life.
Jacinta reached over to squeeze my hand, her eyes twinkling with motherly affection. “I’ve always known how you felt about my son, Harley. A mother’s intuition is a powerful thing.”
“Was I that obvious?” I asked with a sheepish grin.
“Only to everyone with eyes. I’m so glad Ryker finally came to his senses. Though I had faith he would.”
“He’s never been happier,” Danson added. “Anyone can see that.”
Ryker fumed. “Do I look happy right now?”
Jacinta’s expression shifted, and I recognized that look. It was the same one she wore when she was about to say something she knew wouldn’t go over well. “I want you both to know how thrilled I am that you’re together. I’ve always thought you’d be perfect for each other.”
“Oh, no,” Ryker groaned. “What now?”
She barreled through her words. “And I wholeheartedly support your relationship. Which is why I feel terrible about the timing, but you should know Maylin is still coming over for dinner tonight.”
“What?” Ryker’s fork hit the plate with a clatter that could be heard three counties over. “Why would you invite her when I have anactualboyfriend who you adore?”
“It’s not about matchmaking anymore!” Jacinta exclaimed, her hands fluttering nervously. “But she’s my hairdresser’s neighbor’s daughter, and it would be terribly rude to cancel after inviting her over. Think of this as a social obligation.”
“A social obligation,” Ryker echoed in monotone.
“I wouldn’t disrespect your relationship, so yes, this is purely for the sake of politeness.”
I diffused the tension with humor. “Hey, how bad could she be? I mean, she can’t be worse than Bethany, who faked herown kidnapping when you were twenty minutes late to dinner. Or Lete, who reported your car stolen because you skipped her sister’s wedding and almost got you arrested?”
Ryker’s eyes narrowed with enough concentrated rage to qualify as a lethal weapon in at least twelve states. I made a mental note to add “death glares make my knees weak” to my growing list of concerning turn-ons. “Not. Helping.”
