Page 11 of Lost in You (Flirting with Forever 1)

“Eh, whatever. It’s easier to be completely transparent with each other. I told you we tell each other everything.” He laughs when I roll my eyes at him for a third time. “You ready?”

I glance up at the clock on the wall. Yep. T-minus five minutes to fake boyfriend. “My bag is already in the truck.”

Madison

I hurry from my apartment down to the bar, wheeling a small carry-on suitcase behind me with an overnight bag thrown over my shoulder. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.

It’s twenty-five degrees outside and yet, I’m sweating. Awesome. This is a case of nerves unlike I’ve ever had before.

It’s finally hitting me exactly what I’m going to have to do and be like with Shawn this weekend. Hopefully, we’ll pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. Give the illusion of being happily together in a long-standing, loving relationship.

After talking to Sophia this morning, it dawned on me that this may be more difficult to pull off than I’d first assumed. Because as much as I keep saying to myself it’s no big deal and we’re just putting one over on my family so I don’t have to deal with the curious stares and the talking behind the hands that always happens at events like this, I’ve had kind of a hard time already. I’m wavering between confusion and all-out panic over just who Shawn is to me.

First, I’ve had to shove thoughts of him being a cheater out of my head and try to focus on him as the guy who is trying to help me. For my purposes, it doesn’t matter what he’d done behind his girlfriend’s back.

But second, this is someone who I’ve always found very attractive, and the more interaction I’ve had with him in the last twenty-four hours, the more I remember why I’d liked him. Which makes no freaking sense, knowing what I know about him. The bottom line is I’m terribly confused. My stomach has been full of anxious flutters which have only increased in intensity the closer I get to meeting up with him. How did I ever think I’d get through forty-eight plus hours of a wedding weekend in his presence?

With a deep gulp of fortifying air, I pull open the door to the bar and roll my bag inside. Just as I set my things out of the way and look up, Shawn strides down the hallway from the back. Our eyes meet and … Someone help me. I think I’m going to pass out right here.

He. Looks. Good.

My gaze sweeps down over him quickly, then meanders its way back up. He’s got boots on his feet, jeans that fit his strong legs like they were made for him, and his narrow waist, broad chest, and muscular shoulders are half hidden under the coat he’s just pulled on. His hair is strategically rumpled, and his face … he’s so damn good-looking with his square chiseled jaw and defined cheekbones. His blue eyes twinkle as they shine brightly, waiting for me to finish my perusal.

That wasn’t embarrassing at all. I guess if you are going to have a fake boyfriend for a weekend, it’s helpful if he’s attractive. Inwardly, I cringe at my thoughts, but I put a smile on my face in greeting. My voice comes out in a croak. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah, I—oh wait, just a sec.” He holds up a finger before bolting back down the hallway and up the stairs at the end. When he comes down a few minutes later, he has his guitar in hand and a broad smile flashes across his ruggedly handsome face.

I point up with my finger, glancing at the ceiling. “You live up there?”

“Yeah. There’s an apartment up there. I thought you knew that.”

“Nope. And you still play guitar.” I wince as I realize it’d come out as more of a statement than a question, considering he’s standing there holding one. At this point, I’m just saying anything to keep the conversation rolling and my mind off of where we are going and what we are doing.

“Yep, I do. It helps me relax.” He chuckles. “I figure we may need it this weekend.”

My lips twitch. He’s … thoughtful. “Fair enough. Are you ready to go?”

“Sure am. My truck’s out back. Let’s do this.” He points at my bag. “Let me help you with that.” He hands me my smaller bag and pulls up the handle on the roller bag before he leads me out the back door into the biting cold air. He carefully loads his guitar—obviously, it’s his baby—onto the back seat and places my bag behind the passenger seat before slamming the door shut and turning to me, his arms outstretched. “Ready, girlfrien

d?” He hooks an arm around my shoulders and pulls me to him with a quick squeeze before he opens the passenger door for me.

I can’t hide my semi-shocked expression from him, and he gets a funny look on his face. “What? Too soon?”

“No, I—practice is good, I guess.” I give him a small smile before I reach for the handle, step on the running board, and pull myself into the cab of the huge truck. Once I’m seated, I set my bag on the floorboard and grab for the seat buckle, preparing to strap in. That’s when I realize he’s still standing there, just inside the open door.

“I don’t want to make this weird for you. I’m sorry.” He grabs the back of his neck, pulling on it.

“I’m fine, Shawn. You just surprised me, but we’re going to be together all weekend. I’m sure I’ll get used to you touching me.”

Because that’s what had sent me reeling—that’s why I’m currently quaking in my running shoes—I haven’t had a man’s arm around me in a long, long time. It felt good. His strength, the size of him, his warmth, the way his scent is still swirling around my head, invading my senses. He smells like a mix of fresh citrus fruit and some sort of cologne. Everything about him feels good to me.

While I’m recovering from the onslaught of what he’s stirring inside me, he circles to the other side, and climbs into the driver’s seat, setting his wallet, a charger, a pair of gloves, and a hat in the center console. I glance at the small pile. “You’re like a Boy Scout, huh?”

Starting the truck, he pulls out of the parking space before responding to me with an easy grin. “Yep. Pretty much always prepared. Especially on a road trip.” He pulls onto the main road and heads out of town. “You said this place is near Kingston?”

“Yeah.” I waggle my phone. “I have my GPS set with the address.”

“Good. Then let’s get reacquainted, girlfriend.” He sends me a wink that I swear looks half-naughty.

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