Page 7 of Ignite My Heart

I narrow my gaze at him. "Do you not know why you would want to do that?"

"I don't want to do that."

I quirk an eyebrow at him and mimic his arms-crossed posture. I’ve been back in town for less than a week, and even I sense the tension between Jared and Audrey. I’m not exactly known for picking up on social cues, so if I’m picking up on the tension, there’s legit chemistry. "I think you might."

"You’re crazy," he says, pointing a meaty finger at me.

"So is that a no on pretending to be my boyfriend?"

"Yes, it's a no! Now tell me why you think you need one."

I exhale slowly. "It would make it easier to deal with Garrett."

"Why? What did you tell him?"

"That I couldn't go out with him because I had a boyfriend."

"That's dumb."

"Thanks."

"So why not tell him the boyfriend lives back in Austin?"

"Because I said he lived here in Saddle Creek."

Jared looks at me like I’ve sprouted another head. “Why the fuck would you do that?"

"I panicked, okay? I didn't know what to say, and he put me on the spot."

"The spot for what?"

"He asked me out."

“And?” Jared prods.

I shrug, unwilling and unable to explain the turmoil that Garrett asking me out stirred up inside me.

"And coming up with this asinine story was better than going out with him or telling him no?"

Obviously, I wish I’d just told him no.

In a perfect world, he wouldn’t have asked. I would’ve felt nothing in response. I could’ve given him a polite, indifferent reply, and we both would have gone about our lives.

But he asked. I panicked. I felt … things. I panicked some more. I lied. I lied some more. And now I’m in this ridiculous situation. With Jared still giving me that look. The one that implies he sees right through me and knows exactly how daft I am.

“I cannot go out with Garrett,” I snap.

“Why not? He’s delicious,” Audrey says as she enters the room.

Jared glares at her.

“Better than your grumpy ass,” she mutters. “At least Garrett is friendly and smiles once in a while. Uses more than one syllable words.”

See? This is what I mean about the tension between them. Crackling!

I look down at my phone to avoid eye contact with either of them.

"If you need a date, Felicity, there's no shortage of hot, single guys here. They're not all as brave as a fireman like Garrett, and some of them no doubt have rocks for brains”—she shoots a glare at Jared—“but you can certainly find a date."