Page 51 of Real Fake Husband

“In fact, it’s more than awesome, Josie.” I pause for a beat. “Hey, hey, everything all right there?”

Her cheeks are still red, but it’s starting to fade. “It’s been a long time since I’ve drawn anyone. So, when I felt inspired, I really wanted to follow through. I’m sorry…I should have asked you first.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” I assure her. “I’m not mad.”

Finally, the tension leaves her body, and her shoulders sag in relief.

That is, until I flip to the beginning of the book and hold up the drawings of the other dude. “Who’s the tool-bag?”

“That’s my ex.” She makes a face, her assertiveness back. “And I love how you can tell he’s a tool-bag just by the drawing. Because he is.”

“Hey, you’re really good. The look on his face says it all. I take it things didn’t end well with him.”

She takes the book from me and closes it before she tosses it onto the couch. “No, it didn’t,” she admits. “He was a jerk. Never really cared or encouraged me. He was furious when I had to work late, and insisted I stopped working at The Diner. Major red flag.Next. Oh, and he used to get jealous if I went to a drawing class and drew other guys. That’s when he offered to pose for me. He was fine if a woman was posing, but God forbid I drew a male model.”

I’m floored when I hear this. “Wow. It’s an art class for crying out loud. It’s not like you’re sneaking into someone’s room and drawing them while they sleep.”

She shakes her head, her lips tugging upward. “Ha-ha, very funny.”

I grin. “You’re never going to live this down.”

“I’m aware.” She smacks my arm playfully. “Anyway, yes, he was the most insecure guy I’ve ever met. I ended things after my first art show.”

“Let me guess—he didn’t attend?”

“Worse. Hedidattend, and when I got a really bad review, he agreed with it.”

“He agreed? What the hell?” What a poor excuse for a man.

“Yeah. My drawings just aren’t worth a second look, he said. And I have to accept that.”

“You don’t have to accept shit. Look, I don’t know much about art, but I know talent when I see it. You have real talent, Josie. I mean it.”

Something beautiful flickers in the depths of her eyes. She smiles softly, and it’s the prettiest damn smile I’ve ever seen. “Thanks, Cal,” she says.

For a few seconds we just stand there, and I get lost in her beauty, in a captivating soul she’s taken great care to hide from me.

Something inside my chest pulls.

“Now that that’s settled,” I say, collecting myself, “we have something else that needs to be addressed.”

The smile leaves her face as quickly as it appeared. “What are you talking about?” She frowns.

Smirking, I gesture to her bra just behind me. “I believe you owe me a kiss.”

Her eyes go wide, and she points at me. “No, thatdoesn’tcount.”

“What do you mean that doesn’t count?”

“Ijusttook it off a few minutes ago.”

“And?” I hold up her bra, dangling it from my index finger.

“And I…”

“Andyou’re trying to come up with excuses, so you don’t lose this bet.” I laugh, flicking the bra at her.

She catches it in a huff.

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