Page 54 of Blush Crush

Though I’m really hoping she’s still up for it. Because I’m in. I’m more than in. From the second I realized what she was asking me for, there was no hesitation on my end.

There was no internal debate, no warring factions, no reasonable part of my brain stepping in to point out all the very obvious reasons this is a terrible idea.

I would never admit it to her, but the lessons are the perfect solution to my problem. They’re the safest way to finally get her out of my system without hurting her or committing to something I’m not equipped for. It makes me feel like a fucking coward, but it’s the truth.

Guilt gathers in my stomach, tightening into a massive knot. I can’t just make this about myself and my needs. This is about her, and while I suspect she’s not a virgin, there’s likely a reason she’s remained inexperienced. I have to treat the situation delicately. Treat her the way she deserves.

We’re going to have to have a real and honest conversation about our arrangement.

Putting my thoughts on pause before they consume me, I get dressed and go into work.

The commute is short. If it weren’t freezing out, I’d cut across and walk, but I’d like to keep my balls from turning any more blue than they already are.

Blake’s truck is parked in my spot when I pull up to the main facility. Little shit.

I park beside him and head inside, already hearing him before I see him. He’s in the barrel room, talking to one of the cellar hands with more energy than I possess. I’ve always envied that about him. Blake has an endless amount of energy. I suspect it’s because he has ADHD and has never been formally diagnosed, but it seems to work for him.

He spots me in the doorway and gives me a nod. “You look like you’ve been up since before I have,” he says. “And I’ve been up since four.”

He’s annoyingly perceptive too. Between the pipe bursting and the situation with Ariana, I’m running on very little sleep.

“Maybe you should go grab some caffeine from your favorite coffee girl.” He wiggles his brows at me, trying to get a rise.

I won’t satisfy him with a reaction. He’s made enough comments about Ariana that I suspect he knows I’m interested in her. And even though we agreed to a sham relationship, I won’t be the one to start spreading the news about it. She’ll be the one to handle who finds out and when. This is on her terms.

It’s her family that’s going to be the biggest hurdle. I highly doubt Ethan, Gavin, and Shane are going to be happy seeing me with their little sister. Another thing to add to the list of things we’ll need to discuss.

I don’t even want to think about how Jack Ledger is going to take it. He seems like an easygoing guy, but when it comes to his daughters, he’s incredibly protective. I’m already going to raise his hackles because I’m a Benton—tack on the ten-year age gap and my less-than-stellar reputation, and I’m predicting it’ll be a disaster.

And for some reason, I want him to like me. Even knowing how temporary and fake this is, some deep-seated part of me still wants his approval.

“I’m good,” I tell Blake, already moving past him toward the facility floor. I do a walkthrough every morning before I get trapped behind my desk.

Blake falls into step behind me.

“So Sierra had an interesting story for me,” he says in that particular tone he uses when the story is interesting specifically because it involves me.

I slow without stopping. Sierra is Blake’s best friend and one of the employees I hired for the downtown tasting room. She’s a good worker as far as I can tell, but something tells me I’m about to regret hiring her as a favor to Blake.

“Oh,” I say, attempting to sound disinterested and coming closer to strained instead. I’ve felt vaguely paranoid since last night, like whatever Ariana and I agreed to is somehow already visible from the outside—which is ridiculous, because I’m certain we were alone.

“Yeah.” Blake steps into my path, elbow propped against the wall, one hand working at that stupid little goatee of his. “Apparently you got in some guy’s face for trying to ask Ariana Ledger out.” He tilts his head, smirking. “Want to explain that one?”

Jesus. Small-town gossip really is just a very bad game of telephone.

“That’s not what happened. The guy’s a creep. I intervened. I barely said two words to him.”

Blake’s expression is the picture of skepticism. “Sierra said he was hot.”

“So now Sierra wants to get with Professor Fuckface too?”

He bursts out laughing, doubling forward slightly before recovering. “You are such a bad fucking liar, bro.” He holds his hands up. “But fine. Keep your secrets.”

“Just leave it alone, Blake,” I say, walking away.

Have any plans Saturday night?

ARIANA