The next morning I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling. I’m in a hazy cloud of being hungover and feeling high from the kiss.
I can’t believe I did that.
What’s wrong with me? I’m the one who was trying to keep things PG and yet I’m the one who kissed him.
But it felt so good.
I blame the sexually charged conversation and the beer.
Getting to know each other, my ass.
“Hey you.” Jane is standing at her full-length mirror as she brushes her long dark hair. She’s in a beautiful pink blouse and jeans. She looks way too good for going to an early morning class. I suddenly feel frumpy sitting in bed in my sweat pants and worn-out Beyonce t-shirt. “Why are you smiling?”
“I’m thinking about Logan.”
I can see her wicked smile through the mirror’s reflection. “You’re in loooove.”
“Oh, Jane, this is so messy.”
“Messy in a good way?” She’s pinning up her hair.
I shake my head. “I kissed him.”
“Yum!”
“No, not yum. I didn’t mean to.”
She narrows her eyes. “You’re dating him but you don’t want to kiss him? Unless you’re extremely religious or in a fake relationship with him, I don’t—” Her eyes grow wide. “Oh my god.”
“Jane, no—” I get out of bed and put my hands up, trying to coax the thought out of her. “What I mean is—’
“You…you used the app!”
“No, I didn’t!” It’s a lie and we both know it.
“This relationship is fake.”
The word feels like a stab to my heart.
“Don’t lie to me, Riley. I can see it in your eyes.” She has a triumphant smile on her face.
“Fine, yes. It’s fake.”
Jane brings her hands to her mouth. “This is amazing!”
“No, it’s embarrassing.” I fall back into bed and cover my eyes in shame.
“No, no it’s not. This is great! We’re in this together now.” Jane sits on the edge of my bed. “So, you kissed him? I haven’t even kissed Rupert.”
I nod. “Is that bad?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Do you think it’s bad? Did he kiss you back?”
“Oh yeah, he definitely kissed me back. And it’s really bad because it’s so good.”
“Wow. You really like him. Like, like like.”
I furrow my brow. “I’m annoyed that I understood that.”
“Do you think he likes you?” She’s staring at me with her big blue eyes.
“I don’t know.” I sigh. “The chemistry, the kiss. It all just seems so real.”
“Do you think you can cancel the contract?”
“Cancel the—” I sit up and look at her. “I can’t do that! I actually do need the money. And he’s already given me most of it. What am I supposed to do? Give it back?”
She purses her lips. “Well, maybe he’ll let you keep it?”
“Ugh.” I rub my face. “Oh, Jane, I’m supposed to be focusing on school, not Logan Drake. I have so many projects coming up and I need to get really good grades if I want any of those job positions.”
“Girl, you’re in trouble.”
“I know.” I shake my head. “I can’t believe I did that.”
“I can. The man is fine.”
“Oh my god, you have no idea. He’s attractive, charming, and funny. He’s a great dancer. And a great kisser. We just click together. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“You’ve got it bad, girl.” Jane smirks as she braids her dark hair.
“Things are going to be so awkward between us.”
“No, no, no. It doesn’t have to be. When’s the next time you see him?”
I think for a moment as I try to remember what day it is. Have I really been that thrown off my schedule?
“Tomorrow,” I say finally. “We’re going to a family skate function for the Blades.”
“Pretend it never happened. Just act like it was part of the job.”
I nod. “Yeah. PDA is part of our contract. Even though it felt so real.”
Jane watches me wistfully. “I’m so jealous. All Rupert’s ever done is kiss me on the cheek.”
“Don’t be jealous. This is more confusing than anything I’ve learned in school so far.”
She sighs as she gets up and gathers her books. “Well, enjoy it while it lasts. Meanwhile, I’ve got to get to class. Talk to you later?”
“Yeah, later.”
During my long day of classes, I think about Logan non-stop throughout the day.
The waitress from last night is sitting in the row in front of me during my last class. She gives me a bored look before talking loudly to her friend.
“You know who I served last night? Logan Drake.”
“What?” Her friend asks. “Oh my god. The Logan Drake? He’s so hot.”
“I was disappointed,” the waitress says. “He’s not as flirty as the rumors say he is.”
I can’t help but smile as I flip open my notes.
Oh yes he is, I think to myself. Yes, he is.
***
The next day I meet Logan at the Blades arena for the family event. He’s waiting at the entrance for me wearing casual jeans and a comfy blue sweater. His dark hair is casually pushed back. He’s even more handsome than I remember. When he sees me, he smiles and butterflies dance in my belly.
“Hey,” I say awkwardly.
“Hey,” he says and, to my surprise, he leans in and kisses me on the cheek.
I awkwardly try to kiss him back. Fuck.
He takes my hand. “I hope you’re ready to skate.”
“As long as we don’t drink any beer, I’ll be fine.”
He chuckles. “I hope our night of debauchery didn’t affect your day yesterday.”
“Nope, not at all,” I lie. “So where do we lace up?” I gloss over the night completely.
Logan watches me with knowing eyes and a smirk.
“This way.” He leads me into the arena where I see the rest of the team skating on the ice with their partners and kids. Music is playing and it feels like a real party. There’s a large banner over the ice welcoming the friends and families of the Blades institution.
That familiar cold feeling washes through me as I look at all the people I have to lie to.
“I’m not sure I can do this,” I say as I pull on Logan’s hand. “What if we mess up?”
“Impossible.”
“How can you be so confident?”
“Because we already have a pretty good relationship.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear.
I lower my voice. “You’re paying me.”
“Yeah, but we have chemistry. That’s why this is going to work so well.” He smiles again.
Good lord, I really want to kiss him.
We strap our skates on and step onto the ice.
“Let’s see what you’ve got, Jamieson.” He takes my hands as if I’m a toddler learning to walk. But as soon as I step onto the ice, I glide effortlessly. He lets go of my hand as I do a triple turn. When I face him again his mouth is hanging open.
“I didn’t know you knew how to skate,” he says, dumbfounded.
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me, Mr. Drake.” I wink.
He grabs my hand and pulls me around the rink for a few laps. Every once in a while, he puts his arm around my waist and spins me around. He tries to do something fancy and instead we both fail spectacularly. He falls back, pulling me down with him. Luckily, he cushions my fall.
“My bad,” he says. We both laugh. His arms are around me, keeping me warm against him. I look into his eyes.
This would be a perfect time to kiss him, I think to myself.
And why not? We’re in public and that’s part of the contract.
Before I have a chance to kiss him, he takes the initiative and does it first. His soft, velvety lips press against mine. Before I even have a chance to appreciate how warm, how inviting his lips are, the kiss is over and I’m blinking absently at him.
Damn, I think. We really do have chemistry.
Still processing what just happened, I get back onto my feet, pulling Logan up with me.
“Come on,” he says. “Let me introduce you to some of my friends.” He pulls me across the ice where we meet several members of the team. I pretend I’ve never heard of them as I shake their hands and feign learning their names. I’m also introduced to several of the girlfriends.
A bubbly blond named Marsha grabs my arm. “It’s so nice to meet you! Come! Meet the rest of the girls.”
She pulls me away as I make eye contact with Logan. He smiles as Marsha drags me toward the end of the rink with the other girls and introduces me to everyone.
“I’m Skip’s girlfriend,” Marsha says. Skip McGovern is the goalie for the Blades.
“I can’t believe Logan has a girlfriend!” A woman with dark, frizzy hair says. Her name is Charlotte. “Tell me all about how you met.”
I go over the story with them.
“That is fantastic,” Marsha says. “You’re going to fit right in here.”
“It’s crazy,” Charlotte says. “We never thought Drake would date anyone.”
“He never dates anyone,” Marsha echoes.
“I heard he doesn’t even let women sleep in his own bed,” another one says.
“If he’s bringing you to events like this it means he really likes you. Tell us, was it love at first sight?”
I bite my lip. Looking around at the anxious faces waiting for my answer, I nod. “Of course.”
Was it?
The women squeal. “I knew it! You guys are perfect for each other. The way he looks at you—you can’t fake that.”
I smile absently as I stare at Logan who is skating around the rink with some kids. He looks up at me, giving me that attractive smile that makes me melt every time. “Right,” I say. “You can’t fake that.”
“You’re so great, Riley.” Marsha squeezes my arm again. “We’re so glad you’re a part of our team!”
“Me too.” My eyes are on Logan. “Me too.”
