Page 41 of Just One Spark

I felt warm all over.Was this the night he'd stage the fake proposal, and why did a tiny part of me wish that it would be real?

Jovie gave me a look as I moved past her, and I knew she'd want an explanation.

I hadn't seen her since Rowan and I had started sleeping together.It had become a habit to end up in his bed because it was bigger and more comfortable.We seemed to be able to communicate physically in a way we couldn't during the day.I was playing a dangerous game, but I couldn't bring myself to stop.

It was like going on a diet.You knew you should do it to be healthier, but it was so much more fun to indulge in tons of sugar.

Outside, he pulled me toward the stage where the band was playing.

"I could hear them in the truck."

He grinned down at me."But not like this."

I sighed for the hundredth time tonight, knowing that I couldn't change who he was.We were playing a role, needing people to believe we were in a real relationship.But he insisted on treating me like a real girlfriend, and I was done arguing with him.Especially when it felt so good to be in his arms.

He wrapped his arms around me, and I leaned into his chest.My head was tucked under his chin, and I felt safe and protected.For once, I wasn't mentally calculating the sales in my head or how many bills tonight's orders would pay.I was in this moment with him, enjoying the flurries falling lazily to the ground, the strum of the guitar, and the man's voice on stage.

Clara moved next to us, holding onto Beck's hand."You two look so cute together."

We were playing our roles a little too well.Everyone believed that we were engaged.But then again, how could they not when he bought me a real diamond ring?He'd yet to give it to me because he was waiting for the perfect moment.

The timing of when he'd give me the ring was always on my mind.When would he do it?How would I react?Would I cry like it was a real proposal, or would I freak out about how real everything felt?

"Please.You two are always making out in corners.And don't think I don't know what you were doing at my tasting."

Clara gasped.

I turned slightly to see Rowan's face."What happened at your—" I broke off, realizing that they must have hooked up there.

Rowan nodded."I didn't realize at the time, but when you told us about your secret relationship, I remembered how you both disappeared in the back for a long time."

Clara's face flushed pink, and Beck said something in her ear.She gazed at him with desire in her eyes.I had to look away because the love they shared was palpable.

Clara and Beck were clearly in love.It was a good reminder that what we were doing was an act.We were merely playing a game that could backfire on us spectacularly.

13

Rowan

We were actively planning the grand opening, intending to host a family party at the brewery first as a trial run.It was a way to test that everything ran smoothly.

We decided to run the event as if it was a real day, so we didn't have it catered.We'd hired a few employees and trained them.

The brew bath was a separate part of the building with dressing rooms, robes, and slip-on shoes.There were towel warmers at each bath with privacy walls so that people could rent out an entire bath for their party or gathering.Or they could reserve the space as a couple.

"Is everything ready to go?"Beck asked me.

I sighed."You've asked me that like five hundred times this morning."

"I just want to make sure that everything is perfect."

"This is the soft opening for our family and friends.There's no pressure, and we can tweak anything that comes up.You were the one who said we could work the kinks out, and we didn't have to be perfect yet."

He let out a breath."I've never opened a business like this before.I've only ever worked on my own, which is online."

He ran a consulting company and occasionally invested in some of the businesses he worked with.But he'd never been this hands on before."Relax.It's going to be fine."

"How are you more relaxed than I am?"