In my soul, I know nothing about this summer will be easy.
Not the lying.
Not the truth.
And definitely not goodbye.
Chapter 27
Lance
44 DAYS UNTIL LABOR DAY
“Lance?”
I look up from my laptop to find Vivienne silhouetted in the doorway, wearing a white dress that somehow manages to be both sexy and sweet. Her red hair cascades over her shoulders in soft waves, drawing attention to her curves. And on her feet, she’s wearing peep-toe stilettos that tie at the back of her ankle with a bow I immediately want to untie with my teeth.
“Hi. Um, is this okay?” She does a slow spin, her arms outstretched.
I have to bite down on a groan. In those shoes and with her coloring offset by the flouncy white dress, all I want to do is fall to my knees and bury my face between her thighs.
Once Vivienne is standing still again, she sets her hands on her hips. “You don’t look pleased. I can go change—”
If my face reflects my feelings, what she’s seeing is lust. This no sex restriction of hers is killing me. “No, you look fine. Let’s go.”
“Fine,” she repeats. “That’s exactly the look I was going for. Thanks.”
I close my eyes for a moment, inhaling a breath. And when I stand up, I shove my hands in my pockets so that I don’t show Vivienne exactly how fine I think she is. “Sorry,” I nod at my open laptop, “my head was still on work. You look beautiful. Perfect.”
She holds my gaze, a shallow frown appearing between her brows as she scrutinizes my expression. Apparently satisfied, she spins on her heel and walks out.
Following her, I pass by the glass doors that now frame the backyard oasis Vivienne created. There are lounge chairs around the pool, a gazebo shading a corner of the patio, a fire pit at the edge of the yard, a teak dining table and plenty of seating. My sole contribution, an enormous grill, was delivered just this morning.
I never did get around to buying a hammock. The way things are going, there’s no need.
Our lobster date was a week ago, and last weekend’s event that prompted my girlfriend-for-hire scheme was canceled when the remnants of a tropical storm that battered the Caribbean rolled in, drenching the East End of Long Island for almost thirty-six hours and causing widespread flooding and power outages.
But while sunny skies have returned, the vibe between Vivienne and I is still bleak. She’s been sleeping in the bedroom at the end of the hall and spending as much time away from the house as possible.
Today is our first outing as an official couple. Once we’re in my car, she says, “Let’s go over this one more time. We met through our real estate agent and decided—”
I stop at the end of the driveway and look over at her. She’s wound tighter than my Rolex Submariner. “There’s such a thing as over preparing, you know.”
“Maybe for you, but you’re not the one who’s acting here.”
I am. My entire life has been an act, just trying not to be exposed as the imposter I am. This car, this house, these clothes, this girl—is this really my life? I’ve created an incredibly successful business, but in my head, I’ll always be the poorest kid in a shitty town, with a dad who could barely take care of himself, let alone a child, and a mom who took off.
Vivienne has no idea how much acting I do just to get through the day. Trying to figure out what the right thing to do is in every situation. The most profitable. The least harmful.
I’ve seen what happens when good people make bad decisions. When they lose focus for a split second, and stop paying attention at the exact moment it matters most. They lose their jobs. They leave their kids. They get into the wrong car and their broken body becomes an exhibit in a murder trial.
“Look, all you need to do is smile, nod, and—”
“—look pretty,” she finishes. “Maybe you should have hired a Barbie doll.”
“I was going to say, have a nice afternoon.”
“Oh.”
I reach over to squeeze her hand, the tips of my fingers grazing the inside of her sleek thighs. Vivienne jumps, a hissing sound emerging from her throat.
I pull back immediately, my jaw clenching. “And maybe don’t do that when I touch you.”
She squirms in her seat, looking flustered and a little embarrassed. “You took me by surprise.”
“I’ll be sure to give my girlfriend fair warning next time.”
“We’re not in public yet, I don’t have my guard up.”
Her rebuke lands like a fist in my gut. Vivienne has to steel herself against recoiling at my touch?
Pulling off the road at the next intersection, I edge the car onto the grass and run my hands through my hair, massaging the tense muscles at the base of my neck. “You know what . . . I think this is a mistake. Just say the word and I’ll take you back to the house right now.”
I’d rather feel like a perpetual third wheel among all my friends and have to deal with women like Kitty Kendrick for the entire summer than force myself on Vivienne.
Her eyes widen in surprise. “You’re giving up, just like that?”
“I’ll manage.”
“And what about me? I gave my notice at work for you.”
“Keep the cash that’s already in your account, I’ll wire you the rest. The clothes too, of course. It’s all yours.”
I wait for Vivienne’s answer, expecting her to agree. I’m giving her a sweetheart deal worth a shit ton of money—for nothing. No strings attached.
But that’s not what happens. Instead, Vivienne’s eyes turn glassy. “That’s it—you won’t even give me a chance? I’m that easy to throw away, huh?”
I blink at her, trying to wrap my head around this unexpected reaction. “That’s not what I meant,” I say slowly, cautiously. I wasn’t raised by my mother, I don’t have a sister anymore, and my previous girlfriends would never allow tears to ruin their eyelash extensions.
“Oh, really?” She unzips her purse and retrieves a mini pack of tissues, picking unsuccessfully at the plastic wrapper. “Because that’s what it seems like.”
I tug the tissues from her hands, unseal the foil, and hand it back to her. “I don’t want to force you into something that makes you uncomfortable.” I wait for her to wipe beneath her eyes. “Life’s too short.”
“I agreed to help you out this summer, and that’s what I’m going to do. I keep my promises.” Wiping at the adorably pinkened tip of her nose, she faces forward again with a ragged exhale. “Now drive. We have a party to get to.”
Chapter 28
Lance
Frustration and relief churn inside my gut at Vivienne’s refusal to accept my offer. I was trying to do the right thing, the unselfish thing. I didn’t mean to insult her or devalue her usefulness to me.
Frankly, I don’t know what’s right anymore.
But I certainly can’t dwell on it today. This party is being hosted by Jacob Chambers, another potential board member I’d like to speak with. I’ve actually met him a few times before on the West Coast. He’s older and semi-retired. But from what I understand, he enjoys taking on interesting side projects. His pockets are deep and his influence is wide.