Page 25 of Just One Spark

"I don't have to pay rent while they're fixing it, but I don't have any insurance or anything.I'm kind of stuck.But Rowan insisted I stay with him because that's what a good fiancé would do."

She nodded."He's probably right about that.Not that I've ever been engaged."

I laughed."That's because you don't let anyone in."

She raised a brow."And you do?"

I smiled."We're quite the pair."

"So you've decided to live with your fake fiancé."

I let out a breath."I have.At least until I can figure something out."

"You should probably stay until your apartment is fixed, assuming that's after the opening of the brewery.You can save some money."

My nose wrinkled."I was hoping you'd say I needed to stay somewhere else."

"You got yourself into this crazy situation.You kind of deserve whatever you get," Meg said.

I laughed, knowing Meg was so blunt and loving her for it."You're such a good friend."

"If you'd come to me before you agreed to this arrangement, I would have told you to run."

"There was no time.Jane was talking about some contest, and then Rowan was saying I was his fiancée.I didn't have a chance to figure out what was going on, much less argue about it."In front of the reporter, no less.That would have been far worse.

"I assume Rowan's returning the favor by offering you a place to stay?"

I nodded miserably."It's so nice.It's this cozy cabin on the property just past the brewery.The walls are wood logs, and there's high ceilings with beautiful beams.I just want to crawl under the quilt and never leave."

Meg knew exactly what I was talking about.Home was supposed to be about safety and security, but it hadn't been for us."This is worse than I thought.You're going to get used to his cabin, his family, and then it's going to be hard to leave."

"Used to?I'm worried I'm going to fall in love.You've seen my apartment.There's no comparison."

"That place is awful.But you said it was just temporary so you could get the truck.Your business would take off?—"

I winced."I mean, yeah, that's the plan, but so far I'm barely making ends meet."

She patted my hand."You'll get there.Starting a new business is hard."

"I'm wondering if buying the truck was a mistake.It was a huge risk, and now my apartment is unlivable."

She waggled her brows."Maybe you should take advantage of this arrangement and hook up with Rowan."

"Did you not hear the part about us being childhood friends?We don't think of each other like that."But that was a lie.There was that kiss.I couldn't ignore the effect it had on me.

"I thought you pulled away when you were a teenager?That was before you had a chance to develop feelings.Besides, you have no idea how he might have felt.Maybe he's been in love with you this entire time."

I rolled my eyes."That's ridiculous."

She leaned closer."Have you had any close encounters since you stayed there overnight?Maybe running into him wet and naked in the bathroom."

"We have our own bathrooms."

She raised a brow."Have you brushed against him in close quarters?"

"I made the mistake of touching him when I was making a point—" I probably shouldn't have admitted that.

She snapped her fingers."That's what I'm talking about.Was there any heat between you two?"