Page 26 of One Week Wingman

I sigh, but what am I going to do? I need him to play Stefano for at least another day or two, otherwise, I’ll be stranded here with the Daisy/Jason show alone.

Reluctantly, I reach out and shake his hand. “Fine. I’ll play along.”

His palm is warm against mine, and I feel a shiver of sensation snaking its way down my spine at his touch.

I pull away quickly, blushing. Thankfully, Daisy rushes up, interrupting us. “I’ve been looking for you!” she chirps. “We need to talk anniversary gifts for mom and dad.”

I catch my breath. “I found them a great painting by this artist I know mom likes.”

“So you can come help me find something?” Daisy asks, plaintive. “I’ve been looking for months and I can’t find anything I like. You have to help me.”

“I’m sure Stefano doesn’t want to spend the day shopping,” I say, relieved to have an excuse. I’m not prepared to spend the morning listening to Daisy swoon over Jason. But Seb isn’t helping.

“I can amuse myself,” he says immediately. “I might go and help the Beautification Committee.”

“They won’t let you do that,” Daisy tells him. “You would need to be nominated and voted on at a town meeting.”

He laughs, then stops when he realizes she’s serious. “Really?”

“We don’t joke about beautification here,” I tell him. “But weren’t you saying you wanted some quality time with me?”

I give him a nudge. He ignores it. “Every moment with you is quality time, darling. You have fun with your sister.”

“Yay,” Daisy cheers, looking so excited, there’s no way I can turn her down now.

“Fine.” I manage a smile. “Let’s shop.”

I’m just turning to leave, when Seb catches my arm. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” he asks.

I stare back blankly.

“This,” he continues. Then he wraps his hands around my wrist and draws me closer. Before I can realize what’s happening, he’s kissing me again.

Oh.

This time, it’s softer, warm and slow. My hands go up to his shoulders instinctively and he runs his tongue along my bottom lip. Heat floods my belly. But just as I’m swaying closer, Sebastian steps back. “Have fun,” he says softly, pushing hair out of my eyes. And dammit, the man is so convincing, it takes me a moment to realize, it was all just for show.

“Wow,” Daisy breathes, as we walk away. Well, she walks, I blindly stumble, still feeling the imprint of Seb’s lips on mine. “That was some kiss.”

It really was. And I want more.

Which means I need to remember that none of this is real, or I could get myself into serious trouble.

7

ROXY

Daisy drivesus to the next town over, which has better shopping options than Ashford Falls’ collection of antique stores, gift shops, and weird pottery shops that somehow open and close like clockwork every couple of years. We head to the big department store and start to browse.

“What do you think about this?” Daisy asks, holding up a white crocheted dress with a pink silk lining.

“I don’t think it’s really Mom’s style,” I joke.

“Not for Mom! For me!” She finds a mirror, pulling the dress tighter around her waist and assessing her reflection. “It would look cute with those pink sneakers, don’t you think?”

“Very cute. But aren’t we meant to be looking for an anniversary gift?”

She waves me off. “Sure. But since we’re here… Ooh! That would be perfect for you!”

---