“Wait,” she sits up straight. “Jeremy is in my next class. He’d be perfect.” She shoves her books into her bag and jumps up.
“Juliet. Wait!” But it’s too late. She’s gone. Well, she can find me a guy by herself.
“I heard you need a fiancé,” says a deep voice to my left.
I jump and fall back in my chair. My knees hit the bottom of the desk and it knocks my pen to the floor.
An enormous man kneels to the ground beside me and picks up my pen. He holds it out to me.
“Want to fake marry me?”
He is the definition of a Tongan god. If that’s even a thing. But there’s truly nothing else that could describe him. Dark features, chiseled jawline, and as big as an NFL lineman.
Air. Need air.My lungs aren’t working. Because one, a random guy is fake proposing to me, and two, he is one of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever seen.
I’ve never been proposed to before, but I’m pretty sure the first rule is to not laugh.
Which is what I’m doing.
“What?” My giggle is juvenile, and this guy, whoever he is, will retract his offer any second now.
He stands and holds out his hand. “Sorry. I’m Noa. I overheard you and your friend talking and thought I’d offer my assistance.”
Every word out of his mouth is rich and smooth. Can I marry him for real?
“W-why? Why would you want to do that?” I ask, plucking at the messy bun I’d mistakingly worn today.
“I need a date for my high school reunion.”
I grimace then chuckle. “Ooh, a reunion? I’m not sure that’s a fair trade.”
“You see my dilemma.” He shakes his head and sits down beside me.
I laugh again. Because I’m awkward and have no experience with men. “Well, when you put it that way.”
“I’m no Thor, but I figure we can still help each other.” He shrugs as if he makes business arrangements like this all the time. For all I know, he does.
“How do I know you aren’t going to pretend to marry me then kill me to get my money?” I eye him.
His smile grows, and it’s like watching the sunset; it just gets better. “Do you have any fake money worth inheriting?”
My face cracks and I laugh. “No.”
“Then you’re safe.” He smiles, and I surprise myself by actually considering a fake engagement to him. This could totally work. He isn’t just bigger than my brothers, he’s a giant. A hot giant.
“But I should probably ask why you need a fiancé. I need to know someone won’t steal a lock of my hair or something.”
“Why would anyone do that?”
“Have you not seen these people?” He gestures to the average college students around us entranced by their books and laptops. “You never know who might want to steal your identity.”
“I don’t think anyone could pass for you.”
He wiggles his thick brows. “Does that mean you find me attractive enough to consider me as a candidate?”
“Considering it.” Halfway sold already. But I can’t get Grant out of my head. What would he think if I showed up with Noa? Would he finally see me as more than his best friend's sister? It’s a high hope, but it’s all I have. If showing up with an attractive giant of a man won’t make him see me, nothing will.
If nothing else, maybe Noa can help me move on.
