The house next to hers had been remodeled in a modern design—boxes set one on another with full windows facing the view.

  "My house is a little too quaint right now. The neighborhood is really upscaling." She let out a soft breath that was sexy as hell.

  "I like it," I said. "It has character."

  "Is that real estate speak for 'needs work'?" She laughed. "I had it up for lease recently. Mitch wanted me to sell it to help fund the house we were buying together. But I couldn't part with it. It's part of my family, in a way. It holds so many fond memories. Just part of our differences, I guess."

  "I'm sorry," I said, not sure for what.

  She smiled softly. "Don't be sorry for Mitch being an ass about it. I took it off the rental market when I broke my engagement. It's still full of boxes. And yet…"

  She paused. "I'm usually so organized. Ready to embrace life and move on. But I procrastinated. I just couldn't find it in me to pack up my life here. In retrospect, I should have listened to myself much earlier. That was a warning sign."

  Her face was covered in shadow in the dim light of the car, but her eyes held the light. "Does it bother you, will it bother your friends and family, that you're 'dating' someone who has so much less than you do?"

  "No," I said automatically. "Why should it?"

  "I'm going to look like I'm after you for your money," she said, looking vulnerable again. "There's no way around it, I'm afraid. Unless I win the lottery overnight."

  I pulled out my wallet and held out to her the last bill I had, a five. I was lucky. I usually didn't have that much cash. Who carried cash? "Knock yourself out. It won't make any difference to me whether you win or not. As long as you don't call in rich and call off our date if you win."

  She pushed my money away. "It's futile, anyway. There aren't any billion-dollar jackpots right now. I'd still be poorer than you."

  Damn, she was so beautiful and funny. From the first moment I saw her, I'd known I had to find a way to get to know her better. I might be confident on the outside, but I had no experience with women. None. Zilch.

  I was still an awkward teenager inside. The guy who'd been bullied and rebuked. Now with the added pressure of being a supposedly confident billionaire bachelor. Because everyone knows billionaires know chicks and what makes them happy.

  "Good point." I put my money away.

  There was an awkward moment when we stared deeply into each other's eyes. When I wanted to kiss her. When if I just leaned forward, slipped my hand around the back of her head—

  Slow down, buddy. This is a fake relationship…for now.

  Bella barked, shattering the moment. We pulled away, as guiltily as if the ghosts of her grandparents had appeared on her front porch.

  Shelby scooped her dog up. "I'd better get this girl inside."

  I nodded. "Your house is dark."

  She shrugged. "Yeah. I forgot to turn the lights on before I left."

  I frowned. Not safe. And so easy to fix.

  She opened her car door. The dome light came on. She slid one leg out. "Thanks for the burger. Until Saturday."

  "Until Saturday. Don't forget to send me your dossier. I can't play your romantic boyfriend without an instruction manual."

  "Romantic, now, is it? Can't wait to see what that looks like. Now I'm intrigued. You'll have it ASAP." She stepped out of the car with Bella in her arms.

  I watched her walk up the steps, concentrating too much on her pert ass and the way her hips moved. She was hot, but there was a lot more to her that I liked than that. I waited until she slipped inside, turned on a light, and waved from the front window before I pulled away.

  There was something about Shelby that I found absolutely intoxicating. She was smart, funny, and gorgeous. I wanted her. I had from the beginning. Everything else was subterfuge. She was the type of woman I could only dream of in my not-so-distant geeky past. Now here I was in a fake relationship with her.

  Yeah, things are really looking up, Dextyn. Maybe next time you could get a real relationship for a change.

  Once a geek, always a geek at heart. I'd proven I had balls in the business world, kicked figurative sand in the faces of all those smug jocks who'd gone nowhere. But when it came to romance, attractive women made me nervous as hell. A woman like Shelby would expect an experienced lover. Not a novice like me.

  I turned my thoughts away from Shelby to Bella. There was something about Bella, too. Something from a shadow of a memory. I never forgot a beautiful woman. I didn't forget a great dog, either.

  Bella reacted to me like a dog that knew me, a dog who had bonded with me. I had to be imagining things. Chalk it up to instant animal magnetism and chemistry. I didn't remember either Shelby or Bella. That wouldn't stop me from getting to know them and finding out everything about them.

  Shelby

  Rather than curling up with a good book, I curled up with Dex's dossier before bed. Fascinating reading. But can I just say how disappointing it was that he hadn't kissed me?

  I couldn't believe it, but our fake relationship just might have been standing between us already. Because I knew the chemistry between us was strong. I felt it. I wondered what kind of trap I'd gotten myself into.

  Or maybe it was all for the best. Maybe this fake relationship was just what I needed to put the brakes on my usual headlong free fall into love. Was I just the kind of person who was in love with falling in love? But not ever in love with an actual man?

  After four failed engagements, I was more than beginning to wonder.

  I pondered these and other questions as I began reading Dex's dossier. Such a silly thing. I couldn't help smiling. And laughing. Especially when I saw his real name.

  Full name: Dextyn Paul Rushford.

  Only my parents and closest friends know my real first name for sure. Like Rumpelstiltskin, I guard it closely—just in case I ever want to trade the ability for spinning straw into gold in exchange for a girl baby, I guess.

  Dex is more powerful. Shorter and easier to write. I like brevity. Dextyn brings back unpleasant memories of bullies comparing it to the name of a popular baby diaper cream. And calling me an ass wipe and brown nose as they cleaned the pavement with my face.

  Mom claims it's an old family name. And uses it when I'm in big trouble. But only in private.

  Most people assume Dex is short for Dexter. I don't set them straight. Let people believe what they want. Who am I to judge?

  Now you know one secret worth killing for. Don't let it get out.

  Favorite color: Orange, but I will settle for blue in a pinch.

  IQ: Available upon request to those considering having my babies only. The sheer largeness of my IQ score, which is well into the genius range, scares most mere mortals off. But if you want a shot at a genius kid, I'm your guy.

  Let's just say I got a perfect score on my SATs and ACTs, in junior high, without studying. And I could join the 999 Society without a problem. I'll leave it at that. Any more would just be bragging.

  Fatal flaw—I like to show off how smart I am. My smart mouth has gotten me in trouble more than once. But it was worth it.

  Parents: Two science geeks who taught me the art of the prank. And differential equations before I graduated from high school.

  Siblings: None. But my cousin Kayla is a like a sister to me.

  Best friends: Justin Green and Ellie Martin.

  Favorite activity: Gaming online with my buddies. I rarely lose. Only Justin and one other dude, a guy whose handle is Falcon26, have ever beaten me.

  Favorite food: I'll eat almost anything. Except escargot. Which stems from an unfortunate banana-slug-eating event, once again at the hands of a persecutor, in fifth grade.

  I do love cookies, though. Especially chocolate chip. In college I'd definitely exchange tutoring for cookies.

  Things I love and philosophies of life: I love to play card games. But I cheat like a champ. I count cards. Just saying.

  I love walking in the rain. Without an umbrella. That's absolutely true. And splashing in puddles.

  I'm not an athlete, but I love the outdoors and hiking, biking, snowboarding.

  I'm definitely an introvert. But I'm not shy. I speak my mind. So people mistake me for an extrovert.

  A prank well played, especially when done for a greater good, is one of life's great joys.

  Rules of Dex:

  Do nothing without thinking it through and making a logical decision. Only make calculated moves, always thinking three steps ahead.

  Only play to win.

  Think bigger than big. Bigger than humungous.

  Never, ever rat out a friend and fellow prankster.

  Loyalty to friends and family are next to godliness. But clean hands are good, too.

  When you fall in love, fall hard. Fall fast. Fight for that woman to the death. And do everything in your power to make her happy for the rest of her life. Or die trying.

  I had laughed like a crazy woman reading his "dossier." But I had tears in my eyes at the end. For all his bravado, Dex had a soft, sweet core.

  And I wondered, as I read, how he was able to share such intimate thoughts with a stranger like me, and in such a humorous fashion.

  I couldn't ever remember Mitch discussing his IQ. Or humiliating incidents from his childhood. Or the embarrassment of being bullied.

  I wondered about Dex and his card counting. Was that how he'd gotten that money he'd given me in Vegas? Easy come, easy go?

  Everything shaped us. Every experience makes us who we become and who we are.

  Whether he was bullied or not, I liked the man in this dossier.

  I thought for a minute and began writing my own…

  Chapter 12

  Dex

  I got Shelby's dossier in the early morning hours, around three. I was up working. Good thing I only needed four or five hours of sleep a night. If that. Puppy Love is an international business. The whole world never sleeps at once.

  Full name: Shelby Helen Hudson. My initials are SHH. Or shh. Which is so cool that I will never change them. Any man I marry will have to understand and be okay with that. No Neanderthals for me.

  Picture me with my finger pressed to my lips—shh. Shh is my mantra. Shh is my business logo. Shh is who I am.

  I'm deep. I'm cavernous. I have secrets. Things no one else knows. Or will ever know. If you can't deal with mysterious women, you need not apply.

  I love the way my initials look when I letter them. S-H-H.

  Helen is for my grandma, the one I inherited my house from. Shelby, I don't know where that came from. Probably a baby name book. Or a whim of my mom. Maybe her favorite evening soap character. From a book? Every time I've asked, she's taken evasive action.

  Favorite color: Pink. No compromises. No exceptions. No substitute colors accepted.

  IQ: Not available upon request to anyone for any reason. Frankly, I've never had my IQ tested. I have no idea what it is. I'm smart enough to survive, smart enough to start a business. What more do I need? Information isn't always power.

  Parents: Two loving people who taught me to follow my dreams and my heart. Even if my heart leads me to call off my wedding at the last minute.

  Siblings: One brother who lives too far away.

  Best friends: You wouldn't recognize their names. For now, they remain shrouded in mystery. But Courtney is one.

  Favorite activity: Anything visually creative and artistic. I hand-letter for a living because I love doing it. I love creating.

  Favorite food: Anything chocolate. And cake. Believe it or not, wedding cake.

  Things I love and philosophies of life: I love sunshine and rainy days equally. Weather should be a balance to make each option more meaningful. I want days to curl up and read. And days to run barefoot in the sunshine. I love watching sunsets over the water and mountains from my home. Taking walks with my dog. Hanging with my friends.

  I love anything wedding related or romantic. I love the thought of two people so in love that they commit to growing old together. I love watching people in love. I love romantic movies. I cry at weddings.

  I love falling in love, though it's uncertain whether I love staying in love. Right now the jury is out, but it's not looking good. Though I think the jury may be hung. Maybe I'm just waiting for a man who makes my heart sing to tip the scales of justice in love's favor. I hope that's the case.

  There are no rules of Shelby

  I couldn't help myself and texted Shelby. What if you find a guy whose last name starts with an H? Will you change your name then? What about hyphenating?

  I didn't expect a response. Certainly not an immediate one. Not at this hour.

  Are you proposing? she replied.

  Just rational alternatives, I replied.

  You're reading my dossier. I don't recall agreeing to answer questions regarding it.

  Clarifying questions are part of the bargain. If we're gonna fake it until we fool everybody, there's no room for uncertainty. And what are you doing up at this hour?

  I could ask you the same thing, she replied. I'm a night owl. I'm working on this month's subscription box, trying to figure out a theme that doesn't make me look like a hypocrite.

  Because you cancelled your wedding?

  Yeah, that's totally off brand.

  Let me think about it.

  What? No answer for me?

  It's three in the morning. What do you expect?

  A great idea or a snappy comeback. Now I know when to catch you off guard. Or maybe I should say off brain. Adding that to the Dex dossier.

  Lol. As long as it remains top-secret. My competitors would kill for that information. But you're a woman who knows how to keep secrets I hear.

  Haha. I do.

  All right, then. What shades of pink? Is there a pink that's too pink?

  Any shade of pink. No shade is too pale or too bright. I have a question for you—how big are we playing this fake relationship game, Mr. Outgoing Introvert?

  Big enough to win both of us big business. Question for you—do you like piña coladas?

  Not really. But despite what I said about not knowing my IQ, I do have at least half a brain.

  Great. Then our escape together this weekend will be epic.

  Night, Mr. Night Owl. I'm heading to bed now. Any further questions will have to wait until tomorrow.

  After our text conversation ended, I was too jazzed to sleep. Looked like this might be an all-nighter. This woman was getting under my skin. It was a new feeling for me. And unsettling. Imagine what a real relationship would do to me.

  I popped over to an online store. Now that I was fully armed, I was going to make a romantic gesture. She liked romantic guys. I could play.

  Mission accomplished, I did what I always do to calm down—got online to game. League of Legends I hadn't played in a long time. It used to be a staple of my college life. It also used to be I'd find Justin online whenever I joined the game. Those days were gone. Justin was a husband and father now. He needed his beauty rest.

  But a name I recognized did show up—Falcon26. I grinned. Finally.

  I've been looking for you, Falcon26.

  Chapter 13

  You Light Up My Life

  Shelby

  I woke to the sound of my doorbell and Bella barking excitedly. I slid out of bed, slipped on my robe, and trundled sleepily to look out the front window. I never open my door sight unseen. Bella ran around in circles by the front door. A delivery van was pulling away from the curb. What?

  I wasn't expecting anything. The coast was clear. I shrugged and opened the door.

  A moving-sized box from a major store sat on my front porch.

  "What's this?" I said to Bella.

  She barked.

  "You don't know either? Let's find out, shall we?" I picked it up. It was light. Good thing.

  I carried it into the kitchen and set it on the table. I grabbed a pair of scissors and sliced through the packing tape. "A gift from a secret admirer, maybe?"

  I opened the flaps of the box and removed a layer of packing material. Inside the box were at least twenty smart light bulbs, the kind you could control with an app or a smart device. Some were just plain white ones. Some were day-to-night bulbs. Some were the kind you could create multicolor light effects with. Whoa. I could create a rave in my house. Light show!

  These light bulbs were expensive, I knew that much. Twenty to a hundred dollars apiece, depending on function.

  I frowned, puzzled. I cocked my head and pulled the packing slip out. It had a guest receipt and gift message.

  Let me light up your world. –Dex

  P.S. Expert help with installation by me included at no additional charge. Anyone with half a brain can handle it. But why work alone?

  My mouth fell open. I stared at Bella and began to laugh. "How did you do this so fast, Dex?"

  Bella barked as if she knew the answer. I was pretty sure she didn't.

  "Yeah, I know. Money talks."

  This was quite possibly the sweetest thing a guy had ever done for me.

  I pulled one of the light bulbs out and put it in the lamp on my entryway table. Then I texted Dex.

  And then light pierced the darkness…all the dark places, right down to my heart. Thanks.

  P.S. How many dog lovers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

  He texted back immediately. I hope that's a rhetorical question. It needs a little more analysis. If pressed, I'd say two. Any more than that is a crowd. Color your world pink now if you like. And let me know if you need help setting up the app.

  I wanted, badly, to tell him to come over now. Well, after I had a shower and fixed up. That would have been better. But this was just a fake relationship. And I had sworn to take things slow. No more fools rushing in where angels feared to tread for me.

  I texted back, Will do. But I'm pretty good at screwing things.