Page 30 of Put a Rink on It

“Any of those would be acceptable for our needs. They were gorgeous. No one is going to question this is fake with any of them. Yet, we walked out without one.”

“We have two more stores. If you don’t love anything there, we can come back here if you’re determined to have something today. But I won’t let you settle for something you ‘kinda’ like. I don’t know how long this charade will last, but if there’s even an inkling or the tiniest vibe you give off about not being completely in love with the ring, people will poke holes at it.”

“You can’t buy me the ring of my dreams for an undetermined amount of time. What happens when I fall in love with it and have to give it back when this ends?”

My stomach drops, the feeling so like missing an easy shot on goal when our team’s on a power play. I don’t want to think about that time.

“You’ll keep it. It’s a gift.”

“I’ll keep it,” she mocks. “Right. Like it’s as simple as that. And when I find another guy, I’m supposed to what? Pretend for the rest of my life I’m in love with any ring that comes after the one you buy? The one I’m supposed to be ‘all in love’ with.”

At the mention of “another guy,” I nearly lose it. The part of me I keep under lock and key bubbles to the surface.

“Maybe there won’t be another guy,” I spit out.

CHAPTER 10

marina

When I think this man can’t have any more outlandish ideas, he says this.

“Maybe there won’t be another guy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I fire back.

Nero’s nostrils flare, and he looks angry.

No, not angry. Offended. Hurt.

“It means nothing,” he tries, unsuccessfully hiding his emotions.

“Then why say it?” I press. I step closer to him. His vision is off in the distance, volleying around to different sites, and he heaves like he’s craving comfort. My hand finds his chest, right above his heart. I rest it there for a few beats until his gaze meets mine.

“I’m so fucking confused, Marina. Of my own doing, sure, but lines are blurring. I don’t know what I’m saying. Of course, you’re going to find another guy when this ends. I’m fortunate enough you’re agreeing to any of this. I won’t be the one who steals your happiness forever. I’m not that man.”

“I know. But the more I consider what we’re doing, the more excited I get.”

The tiniest of smiles appears on his lips. “Yeah?”

“Call me crazy, but yeah. It’s not like I’ve got men lining up around the block, and I’m not getting any younger. Might as well spend a couple of years ‘married’ to you. Even for as much as you travel, I’m looking forward to hanging out with you when you’re in town, finding out your wacky daily routines you’ve never shared with me.” He goes to protest, but I cut him off. “Don’t tell me I know them all because we’ve traveled together a few times or from having spent time with you at your house. I’m sure you’re hiding something. And I want to uncover what it is.”

“The real reason you agreed to this comes out, does it?” His cackle wraps around me like a hug.

“Let’s call it a perk of agreeing. Among others.” Ogling him up close, him without a shirt, the morning scruff, all come to mind, only serving to kick up arousal in me. Shutting down these thoughts, I say, “Let’s go to the next store, shall we? Do we have to drive or can we stroll?”

“What happens if I’m spotted?”

I sometimes forget his celebrity status, especially in a big city like Boston.

“Ah, good point. Until I share the news with my family, I don’t want to get caught.”

Nero pulls out his phone and messages the driver. Within a minute, the car pulls down the street. He ushers me inside and addresses the driver. “Stop number two, please.”

We settle in the back seat, against the black leather, and Nero pulls my left hand onto his lap. His finger rubs circles on my ring finger, the action both soothing and serene. A comfort I’ve only felt with Nero.

Despite dating other guys, no one has ever come close to making me feel as cherished as Nero does. My only relationship experience with him stems from our freshman year of college. A few weeks of friends with benefits, yet throughout our friendship, there’s always been something more with him, something I could never put my finger on. I chalk it up to him, a unique quality he possesses, setting me at ease no matter what the situation.

It’s how I’m certain we can pull off this fake relationship. When I considered not doing it, a piece of my heart fractured. Though it’s nothing compared to the emotions arising if I let myself contemplate what happens when this ends.