“Why are you being nice?”

  I rear back. “What does that mean?”

  She lifts a shoulder in a lazy shrug. “I guess I just thought, even if we’re in this scheme together, that you’d treat me more like the enemy. I assumed you’d be in this for yourself. I didn’t expect you to be almost like…a friend.”

  Her honesty softens me. It’s unnerving how much I like knowing how she feels. “Don’t friend-zone me. We still have to act like we’re in love. And I’m still going to fuck you, princess.”

  Corinne sniffles, then laughs. “There’s the jerk I expected.”

  “You’re welcome.” I flash her a grin.

  I should feel better that we’re on a less touchy-feely footing, but I don’t. She was opening up to me, and I just didn’t know what to say.

  When I was with Hadley, we rarely connected on this level. For years, I assumed I sucked at being sensitive because she brushed off conversations and initiated sex instead. Looking back, it’s obvious she not only didn’t love me, she didn’t care at all.

  Fuck, I’ve buried most thoughts about my ex since the breakup. But today, her ghost has been everywhere. I need to put it to rest and focus on Corinne.

  “I’m going to brush my teeth and go to bed.” She stands.

  Without even stopping to think, I grab her wrist and tug her down to my lap.

  “Xavian?” Perched on my thighs, she blinks at me.

  Shit, what am I starting here? “Are you going to be okay?”

  A smile curls up her lips. They aren’t painted some sexy color. Her face is devoid of all makeup. Her hair is pulled away from her face, without any hint of the tumbling curls I want to grab in my fists. And I still think she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever touched, especially when my simple question makes her smile.

  “I think so. Thanks.”

  “Listen, if you need tonight to yourself, I’ve got four other beds in this house. I’ll find one of them.”

  Normally, I never show mercy. But Corinne seems so down, and I like that, right now, she doesn’t think I’m a douchebag.

  “It’s your bed. I’ll find another one.”

  But something about the idea of her in mine, half-naked on my sheets, isn’t just a turn on, it feels right. Like she belongs here.

  It’s official; I’m crazy.

  “Stay. I’ll grab a few things and be out of your hair.”

  “I thought you said we need to get used to each other.”

  “You’ve been through enough today. We’ll work it out tomorrow.”

  “Thanks.”

  Even though I’d ten times rather slip my hand under her shirt—to test my theory that she isn’t wearing a bra—while I kiss her breathless, I help her to her feet and gather my stuff. “I’ll be down the hall if you need me.”

  She nods. “Good night.”

  At the door, I hesitate, remembering that we have business. “My best friend, Hayes, and his wife, Echo, are flying in for our party tomorrow. They’ll be staying here this weekend.”

  “So we’ll have to be constantly on? And we’ll have to sleep together?”

  “Yeah. If we want to keep up pretenses, there will be no way around it. Get ready…”

  The airport is a zoo.

  Hayes and Echo enter baggage claim, looking the same as always—in a good way. My buddy’s bohemian wife loves hiking and outdoor activities, so he’s avoided the desk-jockey paunch tons of guys get. And they’re obviously happy, walking hand in hand, like they share a secret the rest of the world will never understand.

  “X!” Echo darts for me, skirts swishing, arms outstretched.

  “Hey!” I scoop her up in a big hug and twirl her around.

  “That’s my wife, scumbag. Hands off,” Hayes growls, grinning from ear to ear.

  “I let you have her V-card,” I protest, joking about our graduation trip to Maui right after college, when Echo asked me to do the honors because Hayes still hadn’t noticed she was female and fuckable. Thank god he came to his senses.

  “That’s the only reason you’re alive.”

  Echo laughs. “It’s ancient history. Forget it.”

  “As long as you remember you’re mine,” my pal insists before enveloping me in a bro-hug. “How the hell are you? Where’s your soon-to-be better half?”

  “Having her hair and makeup done for the party.”

  I had to twist Corinne’s arm to keep the appointments Harlow made on her behalf. She worked all morning while we talked through our ruse. Together, we agreed to release a picture I swiped from Duke’s footage of me kneeling at Corinne’s feet, ring in hand, to social media, along with a statement officially announcing our engagement. Then we turned off our phones, knowing the world was about to explode. The last hurdle? Our fabricated meet cute has to hold water.

  “Aww.” Echo frowns. “I was hoping to chat before the festivities.”

  I get it. She’s only been gone a few hours, and it’s already weird not having her around. I…miss her. At least I think that’s what I’m feeling.

  “Corinne will see us there. And you’ll have lots of time to get to know her this weekend, I promise.”

  “Good. I can’t imagine who’d traipse down the aisle with you. She must be a brave, brave soul,” Hayes teases.

  “Or she really likes sex.” Echo winks.

  I wish. Corinne was buttoned up and all business this morning. Is she embarrassed that our conversation last night crossed into such personal territory? Or is she keeping me at arm’s length for some other reason?

  Whatever. I don’t like it. I’d rather have her as she was before we went to our respective beds—soft, sweet, open, sharing herself like it meant something to her. Like I meant something.

  I sound like a schmuck.

  And I feel even worse when I remember I’m lying to my best friends. The guilt is like sludge clogging my chest and tightening my throat.

  After more good-natured ribbing, Hayes collects their checked bags and we race to my house. In the garage, I glance at my watch. “It’s just after five. I hate to rush you—”

  “But we have to leave in thirty minutes?” Hayes guesses.

  “Or less.

  We all retreat to our respective corners. Twenty-five minutes later, the three of us pile into an SUV I keep for weekend activities and head to Maxon and Keeley’s, the conversation and laughter flowing.

  “So Kella was doing her usual walk of refusing to feel shame one morning after leaving some dude’s hotel room during a comic book event…” Echo begins. “She was literally on the phone complaining to me that her sex life was stale—”

  “Because she only ever hooks up with guys who like anime, video games, and cosplay.”

  Echo nods. “That was her type—until she met Ryan, who was towing her car away because she’d parked illegally. He offered to let her ride with him to the impound yard, and they argued the whole way there. Later, she told me she couldn’t stop staring at his massive arms and his beard. So to get Ryan ‘out of her system,’ she offered to do him in the parking lot.”

  “That sounds like Kella,” I drawl.

  “Get this. He refused.”

  “Has she ever been turned down?”

  “I can’t think of a single occasion.”

  Hayes jumps in. “Instead of fucking her, Ryan asked her out. He took her to dinner, then to dance—at a honky tonk.”

  “She didn’t break out in hives and run away?”

  Echo shakes her head. “She loved it. We were all shocked. Now they’ve been dating for six weeks, despite the fact he likes country music, goes to church with his family, and drives a truck.”

  I gape. “Things she’s always despised.”

  “Yes, but she swears Ryan is the one.”

  “Crazy for the girl who swore she would never get involved with guys like Hayes or me because we were too masculine and would want too much control.”

  “She’s clearly changed her tune”—Echo grins—“because Ryan pulls her hair and makes her beg for it. And she’s not complaining at all. In fact, she’s hoping he proposes so she can have his babies.”

  “Kella having babies?” That’s insane, like hearing all aliens didn’t come from outer space but Cheboygan.

  “Right? She took out her nose stud and her brow ring. She gave up combat boots. She even wears lace. And dresses.”

  “I’m shocked.” And that’s an understatement.

  “Right?” Echo concurs. “Despite being anti-commitment, I always figured she would find her soul mate someday, but…”

  “Same.” I’m glad it’s not one of those twerps she constantly picked up and mowed down. “How’s Graham taking it?”

  “He seems a little devastated.” Hayes grimaces.

  “That was never going to happen,” I point out.

  “No, he’s far too rich and intellectual for her,” Hayes agrees. “Then again, I didn’t think she’d ever go for a beer-drinking, football-loving tow truck driver, either.”

  Fair point. “So Graham is just going to keep pining?”

  “No. He’s decided to move on. He’s taking a job in New York.”

  It’s really where he belongs. “And Maryam?”

  “Finishing her masters. She’s already got three lucrative offers from tech firms in Silicon Valley, but you know her.”

  “Still determined to write her own software and change the world?”

  “Yep. She’s decided to head back to India for a few years to make a difference there.”

  “Good for her. The gang is all moving on with their lives.”

  “We are.” Echo turns to Hayes, and they exchange a glance. My buddy nods.

  My gut tightens. “What is it?”

  But suddenly I know.

  “We’re having a baby!” Echo squeals.

  Her announcement is like a punch to my solar plexus. I knew this day was coming, but the news hits me hard. My best friend has not just a career he enjoys but a wife he loves with all his heart—and now a baby on the way.

  What am I doing besides growing millions and chasing a different piece of ass every night?

  I paste on a smile and offer my fist to bump. “Congratulations, you two. That’s fantastic!”

  Hayes grins like he has the world by the tail. “Thanks. We’re thrilled. The news isn’t unexpected…but welcome.”

  “You went to tell Liddy in person?”

  “Yeah. She’s so excited for us.” Echo bounces in the back seat.

  “That’s great!” And I really am happy for them. I don’t know two more deserving people.

  But something is tearing a jagged gash through my chest. It’s wrong. Sad. Ugly.

  Envy.

  “What’s even better? Both of my sisters are expecting baby number two, so our munchkin will have cousins to play with.”

  “Perfect,” I say, trying not to feel kicked in the teeth.

  But it’s not Echo’s fault. I blame Hadley for the fact I’m alone. She cheated. She crushed me. She found me lacking.

  Is that really fair, though? She’s been gone more than five years, and it seems wrong to blame a dead woman. Besides, I’d rather blame Parker.

  Isn’t the blame yours? You made choices…

  “March sounds so far away, but I’ll be a mom. I’m panicking with all the things I have to do…” Echo goes on.

  Thankfully, Hayes talks her down and fills the conversational gap. I’m on autopilot as I pull up to Maxon and Keeley’s place about fifteen minutes before the party starts.

  My oldest brother comes out to greet me, holding his little redheaded daughter. She’s nearly four, and like her mama, all she wants to do is sing.

  “Hey!” Maxon helps Echo out of the car and brings her in for a hug.

  Since I moved here, my family has embraced my friends. The fact they’re like extended siblings is evident when Griff, Harlow, Bethany, Evan, and their spouses all spill outside to greet them.

  It’s great to see everyone, but I can’t stop scanning the lanai and looking through the big accordion doors into the house. “Corinne here yet?”

  “Afraid she’ll run away if you let her out of your sight, bro?” Harlow teases, bumping my shoulder and generally giving me shit, as she always does.

  “Ha. Don’t you have a husband you can torment?”

  Noah Weston approaches, still in amazing athletic shape, despite having retired nearly five years ago. “I took the night off.”

  “Nope. You said I do to this she-devil—no idea what you were thinking—”

  “That she looked hot in a red bikini.”

  “Eww. Stop,” I protest. “And come…do whatever it is you do to manage her.”

  “What? Huh?” He puts his hand to his ear and acts confused. “I can’t hear. Old football injury.”

  “You’re full of shit.”

  “If you’re just now figuring that out, you’re not as smart as the rest of us.” Griff saunters up, laughing—until Noah mock punches his arm.

  Suddenly, Maxon joins the fray, now minus Kailani, and the three of them exchange insults while chasing each other on the nearby patch of grass. Hayes jumps in, as if he’s been away a mere day or two, not months.

  “Men.” Harlow just shakes her head, eliciting a laugh from Echo. “To answer your question, Corinne is on her way.”

  “Good.” I straighten my tie, my stomach knotted. Tonight is make or break, and I’m anxious to see her. “Thanks.”

  Evan and his wife, Nia, appear, talking business with his best friend and CFO, Sebastian Shaw. The man’s wife plants a hand on his arm, breathing in and out as she lays her palm over her distended belly.

  She looks ready to pop. “Hey, Sloan. You okay?”

  “Fine. Just feeling like the side of a barn.”

  “I think you look beautiful,” Sebastian says. “You give me an hour and I’ll prove it.”

  “You’re not touching me anymore.”

  “That’s what you said after the last time I got you pregnant. You forget how persuasive I can be…”

  I grimace. “TMI, you two.”

  Bas laughs and holds out his hand. “You’re just jealous.”

  A week ago I would have laughed and told him he was crazy. Now…I think he’s right.

  Keeley maneuvers the group inside by whistling loudly and reminding everyone that the guests will begin arriving shortly. The crowd meanders to the kitchen at the back of the house. The morons rumbling in the grass filter in last.

  Under the comfort of spinning ceiling fans, Maxon pulls me away from the others. “How are you holding up? You ready for this?”

  Hopefully. “Corinne and I have been working out the details.”

  “Can you two look like you’re in love?”

  “I think so.” We’re about to find out…but I’m not so nervous about that. In a handful of minutes, she’ll meet my family. I want them to like her. No, they will. I know it. I’m anxious about her feeling welcome.

  Why? She’s temporary. Our engagement is a big lie. It shouldn’t matter.

  But for some reason, it does.

  “Tell me the story you concocted about how you two met.”

  I open my mouth to recite our rehearsed spiel when I catch sight of Corinne out of the corner of my eye, hovering inside the doorway.

  When I turn to look at her, my mouth drops open.

  Harlow’s stylist arranged her long hair into loose, beachy curls. Her makeup is light but artful, accenting her expressive dark eyes that look almost too big for her delicate face. Her lips are painted a soft, earthy pink. And her dress? Holy hell, after a glance, I’m melting.

  It’s a soft green with a scoop neck, a banded waist—and a deep V between the two. Besides flashing me a hint of cleavage, it clings to every curve God gave her until it comes to an abrupt ending a scant few inches down her thighs. She’s accented the look with a pair of beige wedges, oversized earrings, and her engagement ring that winks right at me.

  “Is that Corinne?” Maxon asks.

  I can’t speak, just nod.

  “When did she first approach you about this scheme?”

  “Two days ago,” I manage, watching her scan the crowd for me.

  “And you’re already looking at her like that?” Maxon laughs. “You’re so fucked, dude.”

  I turn to glare at him. “What does that mean?”

  “You’re falling for her.”

  “It’s an act,” I protest, because what I’m feeling is crazy.

  “I know it’s supposed to be, but… Use your smarts. If you’re this into her, grab her fast. Convince her to marry you for real before she gets away.”

  “That’s your advice? You don’t even know her. She might be a horrible human being.”

  He shakes his head. “You’re too smart to fall for someone like that, bro. And if you’re already halfway in love with her, she’s the real deal.”

  Maxon only thinks I’m not stupid because he doesn’t know about Hadley—proof that my dick sometimes overtakes my brain.

  On the other hand, what if he’s right?

  Across the big, open house, Corinne tenses and reaches for her phone.

  “Excuse me,” I mutter to my brother, then close the distance between Corinne and me. I can’t stop staring at her, and the relief on her face when she spots me makes me smile. “Wow, you look gorgeous. Obviously, you had no trouble finding the place.”

  “I thought for a minute I had.” She glances around me at the suddenly silent family gawking at us. “The party is underway, I guess. That’s a lot of people.”

  “This is just the family. Come here”—I wrap my arms around her and pull her close—“before they get suspicious. Only Maxon, Keeley, and Griff know the truth.”

  Corinne fits her body against mine and looks up at me with a smile. I can’t resist kissing her cheek, her neck, her bare shoulder, then tipping her chin up for my lips.

  “Don’t mess up her lipstick,” Harlow screeches.

  Keeley, Nia, and Britta—my brothers’ wives—all rush to concur.

  “Instead of making out with her, why don’t you introduce us?” Bethany raises her brow at me as she emerges from the study in the back of the house, Clint right behind her, the familiar case for her breast pump in hand.