Page 59 of I Think He Knows

She laughs, but I see the pinch in her eyes. The hurt behind the humor.

I wait for her to take a breath before she continues, “That date with Braxton wasn’t just awkward or sucky or made me feel like I was out of place. That night, I felt less than. The funny thing is that, even though I disliked the guy on sight, he still somehow made me feel likeIwasn’t worthy ofhim.” She’s fiddling with her fingers now. “So, thank you. I know this engagement stuff is fake and you’re a world-class actor, but you really made me feel… special back there. Desirable. As you know, my romantic history hasn’t really left me feeling all too confident in that area, but I’ve been trying to get over that.”

Her face is a little withdrawn, the uncharacteristic vulnerability peeking through her usual humor.

Anger rises in me, simmering like steam. I’m angry that she doesn’t see how incredible she is. Angry that she went through such a brutal relationship when she was so young, and it’s tainted how she sees herself.

Frick. I’m glad I punched that jackass in the face. He deserved it.

“You are no less than entirely worthy. Entirely beautiful, all the time. Any guy would be lucky to have you, Lana Mae. Trust me.”

Lan’s eyes meet mine, and she gives a little nod, eyes flickering. Then, she smirks at me, her shield of humor back in place. “What’s this talk about any guy? I’m engaged to be married, you know.”

“Oh yeah, I think I heard about that. To the really, really good looking actor with the incredible bod?”

She giggles, and I’m happy to hear the sound. “Six out of ten at best. On par with my pepperoni pizza.”

“Excuse me?!” I widen my eyes at her and she laughs harder.

“Oh please, CJ. You know you’re a perfect ten.”

And with that little comment, she gets out of the car, waves at me, and walks away.

I don’t make any move to drive off. Instead, I watch as she hurries towards the revolving door of her office building, gorgeous in her floral sundress and sandals. And completely oblivious to the guy leaving the building, who stops mid-step to check her out.

She really has no idea how other people see her.

HowIsee her.

Because despite all my best efforts, I can’t ignore my feelings anymore. Feelings that I may have pushed down for years, but never actually left.

And while I’m still not sure what it is she might feel or not feel for me (if anything) all I want is for her tofeelas beautiful as she really is, inside and out. So, I resolve to use every avenue I have as her fake fiancé to make that happen.

Starting with our engagement party in a couple of days.

The second Lana disappears inside her building, I pick up my phone.

Anthony answers on the second ring. “Hello, stranger. How’s betrothed bliss?”

“Pretty blissful,” I say with a smile. “So listen, I have a favor to ask you…”

20

LANA MAE

The day of our “official” engagement party starts with a bang—literally—when a crash from the living room has me racing downstairs to discover Carter spreadeagled on the floor in a tangle of blankets…

Wearing nothing but navy-blue boxer shorts.

Tight ones. Like the ones that hug… everything.

I immediately covered my eyes (oh, who am I kidding? I peeked through my fingers and ogled the absolute hell out of his sculpted body) and squeaked a “sorry” for walking in on him. Carter sat up, which made his abs flex distractingly, and then rubbed the back of his head, which made his biceps pop even more distractingly. I was so entirely distracted by that point, I barely heard his explanation that he’d been having a particularly active dream and rolled clean off the couch.

Poor dude is way too big to be sleeping on that little thing.

He stood up (cue me dying behind my strategically placed fingertips) and stood there for a full second before seeming to fully wake up and cover himself with a blanket (boo).

Meanwhile, I lingered not six feet away and tried with everything in me not to throw myself on top of him like a hungry lioness.

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