"Oh, stop it," she laughed. "We both know that if Ireallywanted to do you a favor, I'd let you off the hook right now – for your own sake."
"Except thereisno hook," I said. "And maybe I'm bored."
She rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Still, I saw it simmering just beneath the surface – the urge to play along.
I sealed it with a wink. "Trust me. It'll be fun."
Fun for me.
Fun for Maisie.
But for them?
Not so much.
30
Almost Punching, Allegedly
Maisie
When I pedaled up to my house, Tessa was standing on the front porch with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed, like she'd just caught me sneaking in past curfew.
What the heck?
I wasn't even late. If anything, I was early, considering that sunset was nearly two hours away. I braked hard and barely got one foot on the ground before she asked, "Is there something you want to share?"
I glanced toward the rear of my bike. I'd left the bike trailer at the shop, and the front basket was mostly empty. I had nothing worth sharing, unless she wanted intel. And I wasn't quite ready forthat.
Not yet, anyway.
Back at the shop, I had agreed to Griff's outrageous plan, butIhad a plan, too. If any fakery were needed, I would ease into it nice and slow, giving the idea time to settle before going public.
Or, who knows? Maybe Devon and Sierra would never come back. Maybe the whole fake-boyfriend thing could die a quiet death, and I'd get to keep my dignity while skipping the public performance entirely.
And yet, judging from the look on Tessa's face, I couldn't help but wonder if that proverbial horse had already left the barn.
Still, a girl could hope. I summoned up a smile. "Something to share? Like…cookies?"
She just looked at me.
I put some extra pep into my voice. "Or those little bottles of booze?" I glanced in the general direction of town. "I didn't pick up any today, but – "
"Oh, come on," Tessa scoffed. "You know exactly what I mean."
Crap. Probably, I did. And who was I kidding? I would've confided in Tessa regardless. The realization surprised me.
A few weeks ago, when she'd first arrived, she'd felt like an unwelcome intruder. Now she felt like a friend – probably the best one I had these days. My childhood friends had all moved away. I'd lost touch with most of the crowd from college. And as far as Delaney…well, that was something Istilldidn't understand.
I was still searching for something to say when Tessa finally cracked a smile. "Don't make me get the bottles. Have I mentioned I have a million?"
I couldn't help but smile back. "Youaregonna let me inside, right?"
"Sure, but it's gonna cost you."
"Cost me what?" I laughed.
She gave me a significant look. "The full story." And with that, she finally stepped aside, motioning me into my own house with a grand sweeping gesture.
