Page 8 of The Temporary Fiancée
Even as he talks to Riley, I can feel his eyes on me. I busy myself with my scarf, the knitting needles clinking together.
“What are you two up to?” Reed asks pleasantly, leaning on the counter.
“Planning my engagement party,” Riley says. I nod, not looking up from my knitting. I know that Reed saw those papersbefore I covered them up with the scarf. There’s no denying it. But hopefully, he’ll have the tact not to ask.
“Oh, yeah. That’ll be a good time.” He pauses, then adds, “I’m assuming I’m invited?”
Riley laughs. “Well, that’s up to Cole.”
“Neither of you ladies has any say in the matter?”
“Why wouldIget to decide?” I shake out the yarn a little, being careful to keep my budget notes covered up. “It’s not my party.”
“Well, you’re invited,” says Reed. “You can take me as your plus-one.”
Heat creeps up into my face, and I duck my head so that my hair falls in my face. I don’t want him to see me blush. I’m usually so composed, but Reed has always managed to fluster me. I have no idea what to say to him.
“Anyway,” he continues, smiling as if I didn’t just sit in awkward silence for two seconds, “I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure you guys will do a great job planning.” There’s a buzz from his pocket, and he pulls out his phone.
“Thanks,” Riley says. “Do you want a drink or anything?”
“Actually, I probably have to head out.” He indicates the phone in his hand. “Cole just texted me back. I swear, this man has the worst timing. He leaves Archie’s field day in ten minutes, so he’s gonna meet me for a late lunch.”
“Glad you got ahold of him.”
“I’ll see you around, Riley.” His gaze turns to me, and he lingers for a moment, like he’s weighing what to say—or even reluctant to leave. After a moment, he nods and says, “It was a nice surprise to see you, Olivia. Take care.”
“You, too,” I reply.
He’s out of the door before either of us can say anything else. When I hear the front door slam, I breathe out a sigh of relief and push the scarf off of my budget scribbles.
A second later, I realize that Riley is staring at me. I brush the hair out of my face and huff, “What?”
“Oh, boy,” Riley sighs. “This is still an issue for you, huh?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. Or have you forgotten about that gala?”
I grimace; no, I haven’t forgotten about the gala. I think a thousand years could go by, and I’d still have flashbacks to the art auction that Riley brought me along to while she was working for Cole.
I spent almost the entire event hiding by the open bar, avoiding Reed. I hadn’t expected him to be there, and the sight of him had sent me into a near-panic. At the time, I’d thought that he couldn’t remember me from our shared childhoods, but I ended up being dead wrong.
“You must have had one hell of a crush on him as a kid for it to still be bothering you this much,” Riley says sympathetically.
I wave a hand, trying to dismiss the notion. “It was a childhood crush. We were both, like, ten. Puppy love, you know?”
Riley squints, tilting her head. “You sure about that?”
“Of course,” I scoff. “Come on. Like, I guess he’s good looking—he’s a charming guy—but I don’t really notice him.”
“You seemed like you definitely noticed him. You barely said a word while he was here.”
“I’m just having a rough day,” I insist. “I didn’t want to get emotional, or something.”
“Sure,” Riley says dubiously.
I don’t bother to keep defending myself; the more I try, the more obvious it’ll become that I’m lying through my teeth.
