Five Ways to Fall (Ten Tiny Breaths, #4)(58)

“Listen,” he clears his throat loudly. “I have a favor to ask you and, seeing as you went and got yourself sick to avoid working with me all week . . .” Though he can’t see it, I roll my eyes. “Remember how I helped you out with your ex-husband?”

“By licking my tonsils, yes—I recall something about that.”

“And then by tricking me into becoming your accomplice. Don’t forget that. Well, I have this thing on Saturday and I could use your help.”

“This thing?”

“Yeah, kind of like a party. At a friend of mine’s house. I need to look unavailable.”

It clicks. “Switzerland wants to go rogue?”

“Basically.”

Huh. Is the universe cooperating with me for once? This could actually work out in my favor. If he’s truly desperate . . . “I don’t know,” I begin to say, feigning wariness in my voice.

“Oh, come on, Reese! I helped you out. Please?” I smother my smile by leaning into his chest. I like it when Ben begs. “I just need you to run some interference.”

Great. Football lingo. “Why me?”

“Because you won’t get the wrong idea.”

“Yeah, no worries there. I know exactly what you’re about,” I mutter. “I’ll probably be dead by Saturday, though.”

“What if I were to get you something to keep you alive?”

“Tell me more.”

Leaning forward to roll me off his body, Ben eases himself out of my bed. I was just getting used to the feel of him. The sudden absence is oddly discomforting. “Where are you going?” I ask as I watch him step out of my room. I second later he’s back beside my bed, holding up a white CVS bag and a Styrofoam bowl. “Half a pharmacy and chicken noodle soup in exchange for one fake date.”

My hand shoots out but it’s not fast enough, Ben moving the bag just out of reach, letting it dangle there. “Deal?”

“You don’t fight fair.”

“Probably more fair than you.”

This is my chance. “Half a pharmacy and fake boyfriend duties for a night in exchange for one fake date to this thing.”

His smile drops. “What? Fake boyfriend? Why?”

“The why doesn’t matter. All that matters is the when, and I’ll let you know.”

His nostrils flare as he inhales deeply. “You’re up to something, aren’t you?” I stay quiet, watching him as he ponders the deal, his eyes resting on my mouth. And then the sly smile is back. “Full-service fake boyfriend?”

“Highly unlikely.” Then again, my track record with this guy may beg to differ.

He gives me a “we’ll see about that” kind of smile but it drops off with a quirk of his brow. “Any risk of me getting fired for this?”

“It’ll be our little secret.” I make a crossing motion over my chest.

He sets the soup down on my nightstand and tosses the bag at me. “I’ll pick you up at five on Saturday. Wear a dress. A red one.”

That earns my eye roll. Ben really seems to love ongoing jokes.

Hesitating for a moment, he leans in to place a kiss on the top of my head. “Get better, and call me if you need anything else.”

I watch him head toward the door with a mixture of discontent and delight. “Give Mason a hug, and then tell him that you’re pretty sure my body rash is highly contagious.”

Ben’s loud bark of laughter echoes through the hall as I reach in to inspect the contents of the bag. He must have bought every brand of cough and cold medicine on the shelf.

And condoms.

With happy-face packaging.

I can’t help it. Despite how shitty I feel, I start giggling uncontrollably.





Chapter 18




BEN





I’m not used to quiet Reese. Right now, sitting in the passenger seat of my Jetta, peering at me from above slanted sunglasses as the early evening sunset beats through my windshield, I’d think someone has cut out her tongue.

Of course, that doesn’t stop my eyes from drifting over her body—again—to take in her white dress. I don’t know styles besides “short and tight,” but whatever the hell Reese is wearing, I like it. The top makes her tits look bigger than normal and, while I can’t see her ass with all that fabric on the bottom, I sure as hell remember exactly what’s there. All in all, for a guy with a healthy imagination, I can’t keep my attention off her.

Not just because she’s stunning. Because I missed seeing her. I haven’t seen her since I went by her house four days ago, she was that sick. I’m just so happy she made it. I didn’t think she would.

A throat clearing and an arched brow tells me she’s had enough of my ogling. “You must be hot in that.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, climbing out of my car and into the late-day heat, reminding myself for the tenth time that I have to keep the tie on until after the ceremony.

“Sorry, no red in my closet,” she explains with a little smirk as she steps out and onto the driveway, holding her dress out.

“Nothing at all?”

She shrugs and begins walking ahead, giving me a fine view of those legs. I’m still wondering if that nipple ring is the only thing hidden under there. “Nothing you’ll be privy to,” she throws over her shoulder.