Page 45 of One Small Secret

So help me, Cadence, if you’ve sent me something naughty, I’m going to have to marry you, adopt Axley, and make grandpa proud.

I bet you say that to all the girls. Open the picture.

I slide out of bed, dash into my living room, and call him, because after that text, I’m pretty sure he’s going to muster up the courage to click on the file, and I’d like to hear his reaction.

“Cadence?” His voice is a whisper, like we're misbehaving in gym class.

“Did you open it?”

“No. I have the distinct feeling that once I do, a bomb will go off in the living room or something.”

I match his low tone, but add what I hope is the slightest hint of sultriness in my voice. “No bombs will go off.”

“I don’t think I’ll open it.”

“Scared?”

“You want me to open it.”

“And you don’t like to give your fake girlfriend what she wants? When did you become so mean-spirited?”

“About three minutes ago.”

“Okay, then. I’ll head to bed. You don’t have to open it on my account. I wanted to hear your reaction to it, since there's a lot of skin involved. I’m not a professional photographer or anything, but I think I did a good job getting all the angles just right.”

Ruben lets out a noise that’s somewhere between a groan and a sigh. “I’m officially not opening it. Good night, Cadence.”

“Good night, Ruben. I hope you sleep well.” I can’t keep the smile out of my voice.

I hang up the phone, grin at it for some reason I can’t explain, and then scroll up for just a quick peek at Ruben’s abs again. I shake my head and march back to the bedroom.

I can’t fall asleep. I want to text Ruben, but that’s ridiculous. We aren’t dating. We're barely rekindling our friendship. Well, that, and we kiss a little. Not complaining about it. Turns out I’m very comfortable kissing Ruben.

Forty-seven minutes later my phone lights up the wall again. I grab it, instantly wide awake.

Very funny, Cadence. Thanks for keeping me up late.

I cover my mouth so my little squeal of delight doesn’t wake Axley. I pull my blanket tight over my chest. He called me funny. Also, Axley looked absolutely adorable with his tummy rolls and dough boy arms in that picture. Ruben should thank me.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ruben picks me up on his way to work the next day. It’s a short week because of the holiday, and typically half the office takes those days off to spend time with family. We could have done the same thing, but after convincing both our families that we know what we’re doing, we're ripping the fake-dating bandaid off quickly to get the worst part over as soon as possible.

Ruben’s Porsche Macan is nothing like a used minivan, which is the first comment I make when I sit down. Ruben shrugs. “I’m still looking for one with just the right amount of gum stuck to the seats.”

I slide my hand down the creamy leather of my heated seat. It’s only a five-minute walk to the office from my apartment, but I’m already dreading the day I don’t have a preheated seat to drive me there. “I’m sure you’ll find one. Until then, I guess we’ll have to slum it in this pristine wreck of yours.”

Ruben doesn’t mention skin pictures or overstuffed sectionals, so we drive in silence until he parks in the corporate garage and turns to me. “Are you sure about this?”

“For the hundredth time, yes.” I shrug one shoulder. “I’m dating Ruben Palmer now. No big deal.”

His look makes it pretty clear he doesn’t believe me. “What if I told you I’m not one hundred percent sure about it?”

“I’d say you're sane. Who fake dates? It is really weird.”

“You know I do.”

“Exactly.”

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