I sigh. “He’s not bad. He’s just protective of me. Like all my brothers, I guess.”
He shakes his head and spins me out. He has so much strength, I nearly hit the couple next to us.
“If he thought of you like a sister, he wouldn’t be trying to kill me with his eyes.”
My cheeks burn, and I look at the table. Grant is still there, and Noa is right. He’s definitely using his eyes as weapons right now. But that’s where the passion ends. Grant doesn’t like me.
“He’s had a hard life. We’re the only family he has. Trust me, that’s all he thinks when he sees me.” I hear the inflection in my voice. And Noa does too.
“But you don’t want him to, do you?”
I try to laugh it off, but something about Noa makes me crumble a little instead. “I’ve never told anyone this,” I say. “But yes, I like him. A little too much.”
Technically, that’s not true. I told my friend Marie in high school. The next day, she threw herself at Grant, and that’s when our friendship ended.
“So this bet really is about more than just proving something to your brothers then. You want to make him jealous?” Noa asks.
“No!” I shake my head. “I’m not trying to…” It’s all a lie. “Yes,” I say. I don't know how he gets me to admit things like this. He’s like the human version of truth serum.
“Well, pretending to be engaged to me will definitely make him jealous,” Noa says with a grin.
I want to agree that this will all work for the best, but I feel terrible inside. I hate lying. “Are you sure you’re okay with that? I don’t want to put too much on you.”
He shrugs one of his massive shoulders. “To be honest, I’m kind of using you that way too. My ex-girlfriend will be at my reunion. We’ve only been broken up for a few months, and I really don’t want to go alone.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This big, handsome man was rejected? “Whoever she is, she’s an idiot.”
He shrugs. “I used to think she was perfect. Now, I’m not so sure.”
I smile up at this man I now consider a friend. “There is a perfect woman out there for you. Even if it’s not her.” I assure him. Women would run a marathon in heels for this man.
Noa spins me out again as the music drops off.
Thank goodness.
“Enough sappy talk. Let’s do karaoke.” Noa says.
“Oh no. That’s all you.”
His jaw drops. “You don’t like karaoke?”
“I’ve never done it before.”
“Why not?”
“Remember, I’m the shy girl who does nothing exciting which is why my brothers have to bribe me to get a date.”
“Hmm,” he nods like he understands, “I think you’re so much more than that girl.” And then I’m being pulled toward the stage.
I try to pull back, but it’s completely fruitless. “Noa. Wait, I can’t do this.”
He pauses to look back at me. “Do you want that Grant guy to notice you?”
I don’t respond, but he already knows my answer.
“Then you have to take chances.”
My resistance fades and he gets me to the side of the stage without me realizing it.
