“What other way is there to put it?” She waved a hand, dismissing the question. “And what do I get out of this little...bargain? Well, other than the title of the latest woman you dumped when we end the charade.”
Oh yes, definitely offense there. And maybe a trace of bitterness.
“Remi.” He gently grasped her elbow, drawing her to a halt. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“You didn’t,” she argued, stepping back and removing herself from his hold. Chin hiked up, she offered him a polite smile that halted just short of her hazel eyes. “I’m sorry, but I have to turn down your proposal.”
Fuck the fake girlfriend arrangement. Fuck wanting her agreement. He’d inadvertently hurt her; she didn’t need to say it. The evidence drenched those eyes, drowning out the green and gold so only the brown remained, dark and shadowed.
He reached for her.
“Remi—”
“If it’s okay with you, I’m going to head back to the library. I’m not hungry anymore.”
She sharply pivoted on her ankle boot, but just as she started to head in the opposite direction, the door to the establishment behind them opened and two older couples and a younger one spilled out into the night.
Remi skidded to an abrupt stop, her entire body going as rigid as one of the statues that littered the Boston Public Garden. Concerned, he dragged his gaze from the small group of people to her and shifted closer. Close enough to hear her mutter...
“Shit.”
CHAPTER THREE
DECLAN’SCURIOUSSTAREdamn near burned a hole in the side of Remi’s face, but she avoided meeting that sharp lilac scrutiny. Afraid that while she stood there in the middle of the sidewalk in her own version of an O.K. Corral showdown with her parents, her younger sister, Briana, her sister’s new fiancé, Darnell Maitland, and his parents, Declan might spy entirely too much.
Too much of what she didn’t want him to see.
Like the hated, grimy envy that had no place alongside her happiness for her sister.
Like the uneasy mixture of love and dread for her mother.
Like the anxiety-pocked need to run, run and never stop until her lungs threatened to burst from her chest.
“Remi, honey.” Her mother, voice pitched slightly higher, switched rounded eyes from her to Declan and back to her. “What a surprise.”
Translation:What’s going on and what’re you doing with Declan Howard?
No.Nononono.
Remi smothered a groan. Why was this happening to her? Today must be cursed. First, the hottest, make-her-lady-parts-weep kiss she’d ever experienced. Then the whispers, not-so-subtle high fives and unsolicited comments and advice. Then Declan’s surprising appearance after work and his, uh, unconventional proposal.
And now this.
Twenty-six years as her mother’s daughter had earned Remi a W-2 and pension in all things Rochelle Donovan. And Remi recognized that particular shrewd gleam in her mother’s eyes.
No way in hell could Remi have Rochelle start thinking Remi and Declan were athing.
“Hi, Mom, Dad.” She forced herself to move forward and brushed a kiss over her mother’s cheek, then gave her big, lovable bear of a father a hug. “Hey, sis. And future in-laws.” Her smile for Briana, Darnell and the Maitlands came more naturally to her lips.
After all, it wasn’t Briana’s fault that she was three years younger than Remi, had fallen in love and was getting married, much to the delight of their mother.
“Hi, sweetie,” Sean Donovan greeted. “How’s my best girl doing?”
“Hey!” Briana playfully jabbed their father in the side with an elbow. “I’m standing right here.”
“Sorry, you weren’t supposed to hear that. You know you’re my best girl,” he teased.
Remi shook her head, grinning at their father and the joke that had been running around their house as long as she’d been alive. All the Donovan girls—her, Briana and Sherri, their oldest sister—knew with 100 percent certainty that Sean loved them equally and completely.
