Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)

Patience laughed. “Does the pretend girlfriend only get pretend sex?”


“We haven’t discussed that part of it yet.”

“Hold out for the real thing,” Noelle said, “then remind me how wonderful it is.” She looked at the boxes. “Okay, we need a plan, and fast.”

The CDS team arrived as promised. Noelle sorted them into teams of two, assigning each a section of the store and a stack of boxes. She supervised.

“Already taking advantage of me, huh?” Ford asked as he ripped open a box of holiday teddy bears.

“As much as I can.”

He handed her bears and she attached the price tags Noelle had given her. Ford then placed the bears on the shelf. They worked well together, establishing a rhythm. Her fingers brushed his on occasion, which foolishly made her remember the quick kiss from earlier that day. And thinking of the kiss reminded her of the tingling, which was just plain strange.

On the other side of the store, Angel and Consuelo set up Nativity scenes while Patience and Justice were filling bookshelves under the window.

“Need I point out you said you owe me?” she asked, trying not to smile.

“I knew that would come back to bite me in the butt.”

He looked surprisingly sweet putting bears in place, making sure the tag was tucked neatly under one teddy arm. His hands were nearly the size of the decorative toys. He had big hands, she thought, then told herself not to be ridiculous. She was helping out a friend, nothing more. She wasn’t interested in Ford. She’d let that go years ago.

“Did that girl buy the dress?” he asked. “She looked good in it.”

“I told Lauren to take her time deciding. She’ll be back next weekend to try it on again. Then she’ll probably order it.”

“Are all brides emotional?”

“She was nothing compared to some of what I see.”

He flattened the box, tossed it on a stack of other empties and opened the next one. “She was crying.” He held up a stuffed reindeer the same size as the bear. “I’m getting there’s a theme here.”

“It’s the whole holiday thing. And I don’t mind tears. It’s the screaming that gets to me.”

“They scream?”

“Sometimes. Rarely at me, but often at whoever they bring with them.”

He shuddered. “I’d rather face insurgents.”

They continued to unpack inventory. After the reindeer came polar bears.

“They’re just more bears,” Ford complained.

“They’re completely different.”

“How?”

“For one thing, they’re white.”

He made a dismissive sound in his throat. “That’s just crazy talk.”

“If that’s how you speak to your girlfriends, it’s no wonder you’re single.”

“You’re feeling the power, aren’t you?”

She grinned. “Oh, yeah.” Maybe she would take him up on his offer to wash her car!

By four that afternoon, all the boxes were unpacked. Noelle thanked everyone and promised big discounts when the store opened. Patience and Justice went off together to Brew-haha. Consuelo and Angel started off toward CDS at a jog, arguing about who had better form when running.

“You going back to work?” Ford asked, standing close enough for her to be aware of his height and the warmth of his body.

“Yes. Madeline’s been handling things, but I have a five o’clock fitting. I’m meeting my tailor and acting as the voice of reason.”

“Another screamer?”

“No, but the bride’s mother can be difficult. I run interference.”

His dark gaze settled on her face. “We need to talk about our debut. As a couple.”

“Oh, that.” Her good mood vanished. “Right. What were you thinking for timing? The festival this weekend? The store is open Saturday, but I’m free Sunday.”

“Works for me. You going to be able to do this? Pretend to be interested in me?”

She found it difficult not to stare at his mouth. Kissing had always been one of her favorite things to do, and so far, Ford hadn’t really kissed her. The light brush of thanks wasn’t a real, touch-my-soul kind of kiss.

“We’re friends,” she told him. “I don’t have to fake liking you.”

“But this is different. It’s more personal.”

“Not that much more,” she said. “It’s not like we have to stage someone walking in on us having sex.”

His gaze sharpened. “Did you want to have sex?”

“I— No! How could you ask? Sex? Us? I— It’s not...” She pressed her lips together.

One eyebrow rose. “That’s a lot of energy. I’m open to it, by the way.”

She felt her face heating. “You didn’t just say that.”

“I kind of think I did. Don’t act surprised. You’re sexy and we have fun together. Don’t you think it would be the same in bed?”

Not a question she was going to answer, thank you very much. Why would he admit he wanted to have sex with her? Why go there?