Read Online Too Goode to be True (Love Hashtagged #2) by Allyson Lindt - Free Book Online
Authors: Allyson Lindt
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eye. “Gwen Marie Debson, my life has been non-stop chaos since you walked into it, and I don’t want to imagine how boring going back to normal will be. You’re amazing in the sack, and—God—you look hot naked. Will you fake marry me?”
Her smile was back, hesitant but there. “You say the sweetest things.”
“Is that a yes ?”
“Yes. I’d love to.”
It still didn’t feel right, but at least she was in on the deception. A new thought flashed into his mind, and he frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Her expression mirrored his.
“I can’t do this to Drea. Don’t misunderstand, I think the two of you would hit it off, but I can’t let you into her life, let her get close, knowing you’ll be gone at some point.”
Gwen tapped her fingers against her leg. “So we don’t get close. I assume someone will tell her, but that doesn’t mean she has to spend time with me. There’s always a convenient excuse, right? Not that I want to coerce you into this. No is fine too.”
That would have to do. Keeping her apart from Drea made sense. “I’m still asking if you’re still accepting. We’ll just have to be careful.”
“Of course. Perfectly careful. When are we comfortable telling people?” Her smile was too big. Too bright.
“No time like the present, right? We’re happy and in love.” One lie on top of another. He didn’t like it, but it was a means to an end.
****
Jaycie slid into her seat at the counter. Today she was laptop- and handheld-free. Unusual, but it meant she had a lull in games. Or she was working on how to write up one she’d recently played. “What’s new?” she asked.
Gwen’s response died in her throat. This was her chance to put her plan into motion. To tell someone and celebrate and let the world know she wasn’t a bitter old hag who hated men and marriage. Except with the opportunity in front of her, she struggled to find the words.
Jaycie raised her brows. “That good, huh? Did the one-night-stand bozo come back with another business proposal ?”
Yeah, this was about to suck. Gwen gave a nervous laugh. “Funny you should mention him…”
“Ooh.” Jaycie leaned in, resting her forearms on the counter. “Is this exclusive, pre-blog gossip?”
Another thing Gwen needed to remember. She’d actually written and scheduled that bitter post the other night, about how bad things went with Brad. His name wasn’t on it, but other things like using her as a fiancée to look good in front of his ex, were. She needed to pull it down before it went live. “Not quite. I mean, yes, it’ll go on the blog, and it’ll be amazing.” She didn’t believe herself. “But it’s not that kind of news. We’re engaged.”
Jaycie’s jaw dropped, and it took several seconds for her to snap it shut again. “You’re what-to-who-now?” She laughed. “I get it. You’re yanking my chain. Holy crap, you almost had me. What’s got you in such a playful mood?”
“I’m not kidding.” Gwen focused on not fidgeting or doing anything but standing there, pleasant smile in place, trying to look like she was the luckiest woman alive. “He proposed, I accepted.”
Jaycie studied her, gaze searching Gwen’s face. Then she shook her head. “No, really. Oh, shit. You’re not. There are other ways to win against your brother.”
“I’m really that transparent, aren’t I?”
“Only to anyone who knows you. George stopped paying attention years ago, so you might pull this off. As long as you lose the whole attending-your-own-funeral look when you tell him the fantastic news.” Jaycie sighed. “Don’t do this. We both know trying to gloss over a problem like this, pretending there’s any solution other than a direct one, isn’t the way to go.”
“Too late.” And it was. Even though everything Jaycie said made sense and echoed the thoughts Gwen tried to ignore, she and Brad had already started down this path. “Besides, it won’t be for long, and we’re
Her smile was back, hesitant but there. “You say the sweetest things.”
“Is that a yes ?”
“Yes. I’d love to.”
It still didn’t feel right, but at least she was in on the deception. A new thought flashed into his mind, and he frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Her expression mirrored his.
“I can’t do this to Drea. Don’t misunderstand, I think the two of you would hit it off, but I can’t let you into her life, let her get close, knowing you’ll be gone at some point.”
Gwen tapped her fingers against her leg. “So we don’t get close. I assume someone will tell her, but that doesn’t mean she has to spend time with me. There’s always a convenient excuse, right? Not that I want to coerce you into this. No is fine too.”
That would have to do. Keeping her apart from Drea made sense. “I’m still asking if you’re still accepting. We’ll just have to be careful.”
“Of course. Perfectly careful. When are we comfortable telling people?” Her smile was too big. Too bright.
“No time like the present, right? We’re happy and in love.” One lie on top of another. He didn’t like it, but it was a means to an end.
****
Jaycie slid into her seat at the counter. Today she was laptop- and handheld-free. Unusual, but it meant she had a lull in games. Or she was working on how to write up one she’d recently played. “What’s new?” she asked.
Gwen’s response died in her throat. This was her chance to put her plan into motion. To tell someone and celebrate and let the world know she wasn’t a bitter old hag who hated men and marriage. Except with the opportunity in front of her, she struggled to find the words.
Jaycie raised her brows. “That good, huh? Did the one-night-stand bozo come back with another business proposal ?”
Yeah, this was about to suck. Gwen gave a nervous laugh. “Funny you should mention him…”
“Ooh.” Jaycie leaned in, resting her forearms on the counter. “Is this exclusive, pre-blog gossip?”
Another thing Gwen needed to remember. She’d actually written and scheduled that bitter post the other night, about how bad things went with Brad. His name wasn’t on it, but other things like using her as a fiancée to look good in front of his ex, were. She needed to pull it down before it went live. “Not quite. I mean, yes, it’ll go on the blog, and it’ll be amazing.” She didn’t believe herself. “But it’s not that kind of news. We’re engaged.”
Jaycie’s jaw dropped, and it took several seconds for her to snap it shut again. “You’re what-to-who-now?” She laughed. “I get it. You’re yanking my chain. Holy crap, you almost had me. What’s got you in such a playful mood?”
“I’m not kidding.” Gwen focused on not fidgeting or doing anything but standing there, pleasant smile in place, trying to look like she was the luckiest woman alive. “He proposed, I accepted.”
Jaycie studied her, gaze searching Gwen’s face. Then she shook her head. “No, really. Oh, shit. You’re not. There are other ways to win against your brother.”
“I’m really that transparent, aren’t I?”
“Only to anyone who knows you. George stopped paying attention years ago, so you might pull this off. As long as you lose the whole attending-your-own-funeral look when you tell him the fantastic news.” Jaycie sighed. “Don’t do this. We both know trying to gloss over a problem like this, pretending there’s any solution other than a direct one, isn’t the way to go.”
“Too late.” And it was. Even though everything Jaycie said made sense and echoed the thoughts Gwen tried to ignore, she and Brad had already started down this path. “Besides, it won’t be for long, and we’re
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