Page 17 of Enchanted to Meet You

He considered that for a second before nodding. “Agreed.”

“Fourth: this doesn’t affect anything with Sebastian.” The words came out more firmly than the others, because that was the one part of this entire mess I wasn’t willing to compromise on. “Whatever happens between us, you don’t get to use me to mess with my brother.”

His expression changed immediately. “It won’t.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely.” There was no hesitation in his answer this time, and something about the certainty in his voice made me believe him. “This has nothing to do with Sebastian.”

I raised my eyebrows. He sighed.

“Okay, it has a little to do with Sebastian, but I’m not going to do anything to you just to get a reaction out of him.”

I studied him for a second before reluctantly nodding.

“And fifth…” I paused, suddenly aware that this last rule felt more important than all the others combined. “This is not real and never will be.”

A strange expression crossed his face. It was gone so quickly that I couldn’t decide whether I’d imagined it, but I still caught the slight tightening around his eyes before he looked away.

“Right,” he said.

“Fake.” I needed to hear him say it.

“Fake.”

“Completely fake.” I held his gaze, almost challenging him to argue.

“Completely.” His voice was quiet, and for a moment neither of us said anything.

I nodded slowly, more to myself than to him.

It was ridiculous. It was probably a terrible idea. And yet, the alternative seemed worse. Because he was right. Too many people knew now, and walking back into that party only to announce that everything between us had been an act would make the situation infinitely more embarrassing. At least if we committed to the lie, we could control what people thought happened next.

“Fine,” I said.

Rhys blinked. “Fine?” His eyebrows lifted, and I could practically see the relief beginning to creep into his expression.

“Fine. I’ll fake date you.” Saying the words aloud made my stomach flip, partly because they sounded completely insane and partly because I knew there was no taking them back now. “But if you make me regret this, I am telling Sebastian you blackmailed me into this and I’ll make sure he kills you.”

His eyebrows rose even higher. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.” I gave him a pointed look, letting the threat hang between us for a beat before dropping my hand. “I’m serious, Rhys.”

He studied me for a second, and then the corner of his mouth lifted. “Deal.”

I exhaled, finally allowing myself to relax a little.

“Okay. So what now?” I glanced toward the door, where the muffled music and voices had become increasingly impossible to ignore. “We’re supposedly dating.”

“Now?” He followed my gaze, then looked back at me. “Now we go back out there.”

My stomach immediately tightened.

“Together?” The word came out before I could stop it, and Rhys gave me a look that was almost amused.

“That’s generally how dating works.”

“Fake dating.”