Payton’s smile stays in place, matching the mischievous gleam in his eyes. “I suppose we’ll get to test our acting skills sooner than planned.”
Acting skills? He still thinks this is a game. Mentally, I’m shaking my head. This assignment is going to take more patience than I expected. But I tuck thatthought away for another time to explore. Right now, we have a roommate to fool into believing we’re a married couple.
Once Del parks the sedan in front of the apartment building, Payton jumps out before me and takes his chivalrous self to the trunk to extract my suitcase. I can’t help but wonder if he’s playing nice to make up for his ‘oversight,’ which I suspect was more out of his conviction that he’d fully expected us to part ways in London.
While I keep an eye on him, Del puts her window down. “Sorry, luv. I only discovered it last night, and by then, you were already on the plane. Figured it would wait until you landed.”
I step closer to the vehicle so he won’t hear me. “He tried to lose me at the airport.”
At the thud of the rear trunk closing, she glances backward. “You might want to do some damage control just in case there’s anything else he didn’t tell his sister.”
“Copy that.”
With a parting wave, Del backs out as I follow Payton and my suitcase, which he insisted on taking, toward his apartment. I assess our surroundings while analyzing the trepidation sitting in my stomach like a lead pipe. Am I just nervous about convincing this roommate that I’m Payton’s wife, or am I picking up on something else?
Right away, I spot the temporary cameras Del installed as we step onto the sidewalk leading to his door. A staircase spanning to the second level sits to the left. The open design of the stairs gives me a clear view of what’s beyond them, but the lighting’s somewhat dim, creating shadows that could conceal a threat.
Payton stops in front of the door but doesn’t unlock it.
I glance over my shoulder to make sure no one’s coming from behind. “What are you waiting for?”
His gaze slides from the door to me. A fine sheen of moisture covers his forehead, which could simply be the stiflinghumidity or nerves. Or both. “Listening to hear if Luke’s inside.”
“This would have been easier if you told me sooner.”
He holds his hand up. “I didn’t think it would be necessary.”
“Because you were convinced you’d come home alone.” My half statement, half question, makes him cringe.
“Well, yes.”
I point to the doorknob. “The faster you rip the Band-Aid off, the better.”
He nods, but before he can use his key, the door flies open. A large hulk of a man fills the doorway. Casually dressed, dark hair, brutish features. Instinct compels me to take a step forward, preparing to insert myself in between the brute and Payton, just in case this unidentified man isn’t the roommate.
“Payton! You’re back!” The two men lock hands and pull toward each other as they slap each other on the back. “Great to see you, man. How was your trip?”
“Good as can be expected, considering.”
Hulk man frowns at me. “Is this your sister?”
Payton barks out a laugh, then scrubs his hand over his mouth. “No, um, this is Lily. She and I met my first week back.” He turns to me. “Lily, this is my roommate, Luke Jameson. He’s also captain of the Sun Kings.”
Donning my best smile, I extend my hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Luke.”
“Likewise.” He bounces his eyes between us before settling on me. “And you came with him?”
My priority at the moment is not to explain why I’m here to Luke, but to get Payton out of view or harm. “It’s really warm out here. Why don’t we go inside?”
“Of course! Sorry.” Luke opens the door wider, clearing a path for us. He takes my suitcase from Payton and rolls it inside.
Cool air wafts around me. Air conditioning.A luxury Del and I don’t have in the UK. I let out a soft breath once I see the door’s closed. “Much better.”
With a combination of humor and confusion in his expression, Luke crosses his arms and stares at us as if he’s waiting for an explanation.
And Payton’s standing there as if he’s at a loss as to what to do or say next. I sidestep to Payton and twine my hand with his, which seems to startle him back to the present. He glances at me before focusing on Luke.
“Lily and I…we’re…”
