Fake It Till You Bake It(46)

Donovan glared at his friends. Nicholas and August beamed in return, clearly not intimidated by their best friend. She added her glare to the mix. Their grins slipped a tad, but they didn’t retract their endorsements.

While Rose moved to set up the impromptu photo shoot, Jada’s gaze dropped to the book on her lap. The cover was pretty tame compared to a lot of other romance novels. The male model wore a buttoned-up shirt, which, well, was not a problem. She would not fantasize about—wait, no—think about a shirtless Donovan and being able to ogle his wide chest up close. Just because she recalled with crystal-clear clarity how his chest felt under her hand during their totally not real kiss meant nothing.

What did mean something was the look between the two people on the cover. They stared into each other’s eyes like they’d found their soulmates, their parted lips a breath apart. But the cover models were just that. Models. They were acting, and if they could do it, so could Jada. She’d been an actor once upon a time. An unsuccessful actor, but whatever.

Kendra clapped her hands together and stood. “Okay, gang, let’s get going. Donovan, your shirt isn’t the best, but we did spring this on you, so it will have to do. The shirt we have is way too small.” She reached into the bag at her feet and pulled out a black cowboy hat. “Hopefully, this will fit.”

Donovan took the hat from her and settled it on his head. He turned to Jada with his hands out as if to say, How do I look?

Damn good. Okay, yeah, this look worked for her. Who knew she had a thing for cowboys? What would he look like on the back of a horse, thigh muscles bulging? Hot. So fine. She cleared her throat. “You look all right.”

Kendra snorted. “Girl, please. He’s the perfect choice for the photo shoot. Now you, put this on. It will fit over your dress.” She held out a red-and-blue-checkered flannel shirt. Jada took the shirt and slipped it on without comment. Nerves had risen from the dead like a phoenix to whip hope’s ass in her stomach. Any second now, she would be in a clinch with Donovan.

But so what? She needed to chill. It would be fine. They’d take a couple of photos, laugh, and that would be the end of it. Memories of their kiss bombarding her brain would stop any second now.

Rose directed them to stand together in front of a background that featured a horse and a cactus. Totally authentic western details. “Arm around her waist and pull her in tight, Donovan. Jada, tilt your head back slightly and lay your hand against his chest.”

Jada swallowed and followed orders. She watched as her hand seemed to work independently of her brain. It lifted itself, then landed on his chest, directly over his right pec. Warmth seeped through his shirt to her hand. She snatched her palm away. It felt like she’d been burned, like she was doing something naughty. But that was ridiculous. Slowly, her hand lifted again, then settled over his heart. His hand around her waist tightened, catching her off guard. She stumbled forward, then yanked herself back. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

“No worries.” He didn’t sound affected at all. Of course, he didn’t. Not Principal Dell, who kept his cool at all times.

“You two are so ridiculously attractive,” Kendra said. “It should be illegal to look as good as y’all do together.”

The other women laughed, calling out their agreement.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Rose said, raising the camera to her face. “Let’s get to it.”

Jada kept her gaze glued to his Adam’s apple and tried not to flinch at every click of the camera.

Rose lowered her camera. “Oh, my God, guys, you look so stiff. What’s the deal?”

Oh, right. They were supposed to be a real-life couple. Jada exhaled and deliberately relaxed her shoulders.

Donovan’s arm around her waist loosened as he turned to the photographer. Jada missed the connection immediately. “I know it sounds crazy, but we’ve tried to keep our relationship private, and I’m not used to cameras and people staring at me when I’m with my lady.”

He was taking the blame? Why did he insist on being a standup guy?

The book club members sighed as one.

“That’s certainly understandable,” Rose said. “Y’all are so pretty, I forget you’re not professionals. Donovan, tilt the hat back so we can get a better look at your handsome face.”

Jada sucked in a breath. The hat had been hindering their connection. No longer. “Stare into each other’s eyes like you were doing earlier. Pretend I’m not here. There you go. Jada, touch his jaw, raise on your toes, tilt your head back.”

The hair of his five o’clock shadow was surprisingly soft. She continued to caress him, unable to stop herself. Her eyes drifted down. Their mouths were so close, so achingly close. She felt light-headed. He felt it, too. His eyes had darkened, his breathing coming shallower. He remembered. She remembered. What would it be like to have more? For real this time? Spectacular, his eyes answered.

Jada inched up on her toes. Closer, closer, almost there …

“That should do it, you two,” Rose said. “Much better.”

The book club members cheered, jarring Jada back to the present. The quick click-click of the camera had stopped. Donovan’s arm, so strong and sure, fell away from her waist, leaving her bereft. Their romance cover shoot was over.

Back to reality. Reality where they weren’t dating. Reality where they had no right to kiss each other.