Page 63 of Fake it for Keeps

“You’re wrong.”

“Am I?”

“She hates me,” I said flatly. “She told me as much.”

“People are complicated. They can hate you and care about you at the same time.” Frankie’s expression softened. “You know that better than anyone.”

I did know that. God, did I know that.

I hated my father sometimes. But I had also loved him more than almost anyone. Had grieved his death so hard I could barely function for months after he died.

Love and hate weren’t opposites. They were sisters.

“I’m exhausted,” I admitted, sinking into one of Frankie’s chairs. “The timing of Hallie’s little runaway to the Hamptons right when I need her most couldn’t have been worse timing.”

“Need,” Frankie repeated, emphasizing the word. “Listen to yourself.”

“Fine. Right when I need her for appearances. For the schedule.”

“For emotional support? For someone to talk to?”

“Stop.” I held up a hand. “Just stop.”

She slowly shook her head. “I’m worried about you, big brother. You’re on dangerous ground here. You can deny it all you want, but I know you better than anyone. And I know Hallie is under your skin.”

“She’s not.”

“She is. And that scares the shit out of you, because the last time you let someone under your skin, you lost her. Brutally. Traumatically. In a way that would scar anyone.”

I closed my eyes, not wanting to see the pity in Frankie’s face. Not wanting to acknowledge that she was right.

“Lauren’s been gone for over a decade,” Frankie continued gently. “And you’ve been running from anyone who might make you feel anything close to what you felt for her. But, Colt, you can’t run forever.”

“Watch me.”

“I have watched you. And all it’s done is make you miserable. Lonely. Empty.”

“I’m fine.”

She shook her head. “You’re not fine. You’re a mess.”

“I don’t know what you want me to do,” I said quietly.

“I want you to be honest. With yourself, if not with me. Are you falling for Hallie?”

“No.”

Was I?

Frankie tilted her head to the side just a tiny bit. But it was her tell. She didn’t believe me.

“I don’t know,” I finally admitted.

Frankie nodded. “Okay. That’s honest, at least. You need to keep things professional, though. Hallie is a nice girl. I’ll give you that. But she’s in this for the money. And you’re in this to clean up your reputation. That’s the deal. Everyone wins, right?”

“Right,” I said automatically.

“So don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be. Don’t catch feelings for someone who’s going to walk away in July with her payout and never look back.”