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Chapter Eleven
Callie
I wake up with a smile on my face—the intensity of our kiss still lingering in my mind. I blush at the thought of it. I can still feel the warmth of Wade’s lips on mine. The chemistry and the connection we shared was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
And nothing about that kiss felt fake.
My heart races as I remember the way he looked at me. Did he feel the same way that I did? Or was that all just for show?
I run my hands along the sheets as I stretch, feeling the cool fabric beneath them. Bear is nestled up between my legs and I reach down to give him a gentle pat. The sun is already making its way into the sky outside. I glance at the clock—it’s just past seven. Wade and I are heading back to Arkansas in less than two hours.
“You ready to go home today, Bear?” I ask, scratching behind his ears. He wags his tail, and I can tell he doesn’t understand the significance of our leaving.
But I do.
And now, despite the fact that I’m tired from a whole night of dancing, I’m wide awake—conflicted.
Dread washes over me because this whole charade is about to end. I have to go back to living my normal life.
How am I supposed to forget everything that’s happened between us? How am I going to pretend like I didn’t just experience the best kiss of my life with a rockstar?
I sit up in bed, feeling the weight of reality settling in. Everything that happened last night—all the dancing and the kiss—was just a part of a bigger plan. A plan to help Wade keep up appearances, to show his family that he’s changed.
Except he hasn’t…
Well maybe he has. I really can’t say since I haven’t known him for longer than three days. And considering how easy it was for him to lie to his family these past few days, I’m not sure I can even trust he’s been telling me the truth.
Though, it’s not like I’m any better. I lied right along with him.
My stomach is in knots. I feel like I’ve let my emotions get the best of me. Wade warned me “not to fall in love with him” so I doubt he felt what I did last night.
I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.
I genuinely thought this would be a fun adventure. I didn’t anticipate catching feelings for this guy. I thought I was doing him some sort of favor—rescuing him from his awful family. But, now that I’ve met the Lewis family, I can’t help but feel a little frustrated that he even felt the need to bring me here in the first place.
The Lewis family has been nothing but kind and welcoming. They all greeted us so warmly when we arrived at the rehearsal dinner, and then last night, Sawyer and Bailey publicly thanked Wade for being at their wedding. Not to mention, his mom nearly cried happy tears any time we walked in the room.
It’s clear as day that his family loves and accepts him. I don’t understand why he doesn’t see it.
Knock, knock.
My head snaps up.
“Callie? Are you almost ready?” The sound of Wade’s voice echoes through the room.
I can hear the exhaustion in his tone. I wonder if he’s been awake all night—like me—thinking about last night’s kiss, and what comes next.
Or in this case, what doesn’t.
I take a deep breath and open the bedroom door to find Wade standing there with an iced beverage in his hand and a smirk on his face. His eyes are bright with anticipation as he looks at me, and I feel my heart skip a beat at the sight of him. He’s wearing a plain white t-shirt that hugs tightly around his muscles and dark jeans with scuffed-up boots
“I swung into our local coffee shop as soon as they opened this morning and grabbed you an iced vanilla latte,” he explains, handing it to me. “I figured you might need a pick-me-up today after all that dancing last night.” His eyes sparkle as he says it, and I can’t help but smile back at him. My throat is uncharacteristically dry, so I take a sip of my drink.
“You remembered my coffee order?” I ask, surprised he remembers such a minor detail about me.
“Well of course. You’re my fiancée, remember?” He wiggles his eyebrows.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice soft. “But, about last night—”
