Faking for Her by Roberts Emma

Author:Roberts, Emma
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-01T16:00:00+00:00

11

Laney

“You’re late.”

I stared at Cole sitting smugly at the little white wrought iron table for two. The scent of the blooming flowers on the patio mingled with the scent of coffee was like inhaling a sweetened brew. The little garden enclosed us in a semi-private spot and all the other tables were empty.

“I thought I had a flat tire.” I had, and it seemed like a good reason to be late to me. Besides, I hadn’t set up this little meeting. Amber had thought she’d be cute, stolen my phone, and invited him to lunch. While it was only about an eight-minute drive up from Reedsport to this little bistro in Winchester, it was still possible for something to go wrong—like a flat tire.

“Was it flat?” He seemed genuinely concerned, and warmth spread through me like wildfire.

My cheeks stung. “Well, no.”

“So what happened?” He gestured to the seat across from him.

I dropped into it and lowered my purse to the ground at my feet, running the strap over my knee.

“We can get drinks whenever,” he said.

I nodded. The bistro wasn’t one of those places where a waiter came to you. It was more like a coffee and pastry shop where you ordered at the counter and picked up your food when it was ready.

“I was driving over here and heard a loud thunk. Turned out I hit a tree branch and it caught in my wheel well and was making a weird sound. So I pulled over, took it out and here I am.” I smiled at him, proud I’d saved my own day.

“You know, if you’d left early, it wouldn’t have been a problem.” He was studying me intently with those navy eyes. The smug twist of his full lips made me sit up straighter.

Anger scorched through me, followed by shame that I’d dragged him into the sham that I was now beholden to.

“Well, Mr. Perfect, have you never been late before?” I stood up and so did he. Confused, it took a second before it clicked; he thought I was ready to go get drinks when, in reality, I was ready to get the heck out of there. Ready to drop this whole thing if he was going to be a jerk and I was going to have to feel guilty that it was my fault since we wouldn’t be sitting here if not for my predicament.

But I still did need a date to my sister’s wedding.

Dammit.

I didn’t give away my original intention—leaving—and instead, I matched his pace into the shop.

“We’re bound to get some uncomfortable questions.” The words burst out of me and he slowed for a second.

Behind the beautiful, hand-carved wooden counter, a cute barista girl gave us an unsure smile.

Cole walked up to the counter, and the girl behind it faltered, blinking up at him, stars in her eyes. I wondered if he got reactions like this from females everywhere. Probably.

“I’d like a black coffee, and whatever she wants.” He turned to me. “Anything you want.

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