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I closed my eyes, wishing I could just disappear. But that wasn’t how things worked. Still, I kept them closed as I confessed, “When Jules told me that Kenny was at the wedding, she was worried I’d be upset. To ease her mind, I said I’d moved on. She thought I meant I was seeing someone. I went along with it, and as soon as I said it, Kenny appeared behind me, like Beetlejuice or Candyman. He overheard what I said and asked if my new man would be here this weekend. So naturally, instead of correcting myself like a rational adult, I doubled down. And now I have to go “come clean” before my entire family starts planning my wedding.”

I opened my eyes and watched as a slow smile spread across Damon’s face.

Oh, no.

I knew that smile.

It was the smile of a man who had just discovered a new and exciting way to make my life difficult.

"You were thinking about asking me⁠—"

"No,” I cut him off, his smile grew. "Okay, yes. For approximately three seconds. Then I regained my sanity."

"—to be your boyfriend," he finished his sentence.

"Fake boyfriend," I clarified.

"Details."

"Important details."

He stepped closer. "Why'd you change your mind?"

"Because that’s insane. This isn’t just your place of work, it’s your home, Damon. Your family. Your town. I'm not going to ask you to lie to everyone just because I made a spectacularly stupid decision."

"Who says I'd be lying?"

I stared at him, unblinking. "Me. The woman who isn't dating you."

He shrugged. "Semantics."

"That's not semantics. That's a fact."

His voice dropped an octave. "Facts can change.”

My stomach did something acrobatic. "Damon⁠—"

"Not to mention, I've been trying to get you to go out with me for two years. This feels like the universe is finally getting on board."

"You've been trying to get me into bed for two years. There's a difference."

His gaze dipped to my mouth. "Sweetheart, if I only wanted you in bed, I wouldn't have wasted so much time trying to get you to dinner."

Oh.

Well, damn.

My phone rang, it was my assistant Andrew saving me from myself.

“I have to go.” I shook my head. “I have to take this.”

“I’ll do it,” Damon blurted out.

I froze. "What?"

"I'll be your boyfriend."

"Fake boyfriend," I clarified.