The Art of Falling in Love with Your Fake Fiancé: A small town closed door romantic comedy (Sweetkis

3. Georgie

THREE

The sun is barely even awake when I crawl out of bed in the morning. My feet hit the cold hardwood floor, and as much as I want to hop back into bed, I keep going. I only need the next twenty minutes for myself.

Stretching my arms overhead, I cast a glance to where my Rottweiler, Toto, lies on his giant memory foam dog bed. That was one purchase I splurged on, because he’s my baby, and it’s his favorite spot in the house. I sit and wait, wondering if he’ll show any signs of movement like he might be rising for the day, but no. My big baby boy is apparently sleeping in.

Turning, I shuffle out into the living room and grab my yoga mat from the corner where I’d flung it yesterday before running out the door. Flicking it open, I lay it down in front of my TV. I have a few yoga videos saved on YouTube, so I turn the television on and find them, hitting play so I can get down to business. But even my favorite morning flow can’t get the night before out of my head.

Duncan comes into my thoughts as I take a big breath in, letting it out of my mouth in a whoosh. Bending at the waist, I flatten my back and touch my toes, holding this position for a moment before rising up and reaching toward the sky. He’s such a young boy, too young to attempt shoplifting, yet he did. At my bookstore.

And a cookbook? My internal monologue is blaming this one for wanting attention. Unless he plans to be a chef one day—and who knows? He could be—I can’t see a ten-year-old stealing a cookbook for any other reason. He says it’s a gift, but is it really?

Shaking my head, I order myself to let it go as the instructor on the screen moves into a downward dog. This is my time to clear my head and get ready for the day ahead. Toto could wake up at any moment, and he’ll need a walk before I go to the shop.

Moving out of the downward dog into a front lunge, thankfully Duncan leaves my thoughts, but only for Levi to step in and take over. Poor guy. We texted and stayed in touch all during his regular playing season, but I’ve hardly seen him the last few months because he’s been busy with his post-season commitments for his team as well as the brands he represents, the farm, the podcast he does with his brother, and of course, all the prep for getting Duncan settled in.

Levi is a wide receiver and plays for the Carolina Cardinals, our NFL team from North Carolina and the Super Bowl champions this year. Even with everything going on around him, he’d focused hard on making this a good year for his career. All the while knowing that once the season was over, he’d be taking over as guardian of this tiny thief.

I’d spent many a night on the phone with him when he was out of town for away games attempting to calm him down. He never admitted he was nervous, but I know that Duncan’s grandmother makes him anxious. In the beginning, she appeared to be super kind and helpful. Because of the way things had happened so suddenly, an agreement was made so Levi could fulfill his work for the season while she kept Duncan during that time. Levi would then move Duncan in with him during the off-season. This would give Levi time to do what he needed: get a room set up for Duncan, figure out school, all while playing for the Cardinals. He’s going to need a plan for next year, one that shows he’s around to help raise Duncan.

Changing sides, I take my left leg and put it in front of me into a lunge position and then rise up from my waist, reaching for the sky. All is quiet in my apartment, save the snoring dog hunkered down on his bed in the other room. So. Loud. I never knew a dog could snore with the impact of a freight train. Don’t get me started on the slobber. It’s so out of control, the dog shakes his head and you’re covered, but Toto is my man and my protector. He can slobber all he wants.

I wrap up my workout in the next few minutes, not bothering to lie in Shavasana this time. I know in yoga practice they say that’s the part you need to do because it’s when all of the good stuff you just did for your body lands where it needs to, but I’ve got a dog to walk.

I flick on my coffee maker and then grab Toto’s leash as I call out for him. It takes him a few moments, but soon he joins me in the kitchen, eyes sleepily squinting. Fastening his leash to his collar, I give him kisses on the tip top of his head while he grumbles a hello. It’s our way of saying good morning.

I’ve got this walk timed so my coffee will be fresh and hot and waiting for me when I get back inside. Glancing at my watch, I know we have time. It’s only a few minutes before seven. Smiling, I pat myself on the back. I’m glad I’d set my alarm early this morning.

I’ve barely made it onto Main Street when my phone rings. Unzipping the pocket of my running jacket, I pull it out, surprised to see Levi’s name flashing on the screen.

“And what do I owe this early morning pleasure to?” I say when I answer.

“I didn’t call too early, did I?” Levi’s drawl is my own version of Southern comfort. It’s one of the things I love most about being a transplant to these parts: the accent. Even when someone is telling you off, it sounds like a really sweet country song lyric.

“Why, no you didn’t,” I coo back in my best faux accent. I’m from the city, so of course I’m mesmerized. Probably always will be. “It’s never too early for Levi Porter to call.”

“Yet I think it is too early for you to try on that accent once again.” He chuckles in my ear. “How long have you lived here, and you still haven’t picked up even a trace of a Southern drawl?”

“I’ve been here for about four years now. And no, there’s no Southern drawl. I love the accent, but a girl has to stay true to her roots.”

“If you were doing that,” Levi presses, “then why don’t I hear your New Yawker accent any longer?”

“Because even my accent gets confused as to where I am and who I am,” I manage to say with a laugh as Toto pulls me into a small park off the street. “What do you want anyway?”

A heavy sigh slams against my ear. “To say I’m so sorry again. I cannot believe that Duncan tried to lift a book from your shop.”

“It’s fine. He’ll come in and work it off today. It’ll be a lesson.”

“But why did he have to do it to you?” I can hear the upset in his voice. “It’s not the best way to start our new life together.”

“Look, this is new for you. You’re going to have moments like this where he’s going to test the boundaries and you have to be prepared.”

“When I was younger and I messed up, or if Austin did, our punishment was to go and work on our neighbour’s farm.”

“Why the neighbor’s farm and not yours?”

“They have milking cows and need their manure pit cleaned out.”

“Ewww.” I giggle. “Then he needs to be told how lucky he is.”

“That’s the truth. It’s not fun.” When he goes silent, I let the line between us stay quiet. I’ve gotten to know him well enough that I know he’s in thought, so I stay focused on the path in front of me and trot along after my dog, who has his nose in the air chasing some rogue smell or another.

“Thank you for being so cool about this,” Levi murmurs as he finally breaks the silence. “I’m going to come in with Austin to drop him off. We need to check in on some of our rentals, plus there’s a couple of properties we’re thinking of buying in Sweetkiss Creek as investments. I’m trying to find a suitable home for Duncan and myself.” Levi pauses, inhaling sharply. “But, I don’t know. He’s quiet, Georgie. The most he’s spoken to me so far was last night when we were outside the bookstore.”

I feel Levi’s sadness like it’s mine. The defeat in his voice isn’t something I’m used to. “Well, today’s a new day. And these things take time, right? He’s been living with his grandmother and who knows what that was like for him.”

“Lorna is not the easiest woman to be around, that much I remember from conversations I’d had with Tom and Katie over the years.” There’s a rustling sound as Levi moves around on his end of the line.

“Are you still in bed?” I ask.

“Yes. As a new parent, I need all of the rest I can sneak in, thank you.” I’m fighting a laugh when there’s a high-pitched shriek in my ear, almost like a mix between a squeak and a yelp, followed by a dull thud as the phone hits the ground. It’s a brief but intense moment of chaos, a cacophony of noise followed by the clatter of it skidding across the floor before all noise abruptly ceases.

“What happened?” I manage as Levi comes back on the line. “Were you assaulted?”

“Yes, by Mom’s cat.” I hear a door slam and Levi breathes out on his end. “That stinking cat has been at my door all night.”

“Aren’t you allergic?” I’m trying not to laugh, but the octave of his squeal still reverberates in my head. If only Sports Center’s hosts had heard it. It would be a viral sound to be used on TikTok over and over again by millions of viewers in a heartbeat.

“Very. But somehow this cat keeps getting inside at night and there’s no other room, no other door, no other person it wants to hang out with. Just me.”

“Of course. It’s a cat.”

What do you mean?”

“They can sense things. Like when someone doesn’t like them.”

“It’s not that I don’t like them, I think cats are awesome. I just can’t let it get too close to me or I’ll swell up like a balloon.”

“How is he getting in?”

“It’s a mystery. No one knows. Everyone swears it’s not them and I can’t find a way that he’d be sneaking in…”

“Like a tunnel? Or a trap door? Maybe the cat has a gang and they have a vault in the basement.” Another thing about talking to Levi that makes me happy: I can be myself and there’s just silliness. We can be serious, but he gets me when I’m just trying to make him laugh.

“And this is where you get ridiculous and I say goodbye,” he says with a chuckle in my ear. My heart skips a beat; my job is done. “Before I go, I’m going to say I’m sorry again and thank you for letting him work off his misstep at your store. He’ll be there at nine fifty-five exactly.”

“See you guys then.”

Disconnecting the call, I’m surprised that my cheeks are aching. I’m smiling that wide. This is what the man does to me.

Having a friend like Levi is the absolute best. To start with, he’s the first guy I’ve met who listens to me—and asks questions. I know, shocking, right? If only I could clone him and date him. It’s a thought I’ve had over the past year as I’ve struggled with my own feelings for this man.

Am I harboring a bit of a crush? Yes. I mean, the guy is HOT. He’s like this Greek god who landed on earth and was put in this little town for all others to aspire to. And I’m being serious when I say that. From the moment I met him, I wanted to know more. He’s one of those people who has a pull, a charm. Charisma that brings you into his orbit...if you’re lucky enough, that is.

Have I dated other people while dealing with this crush? Yes. I’ve gone on a few dates over the past year and they all have been as exciting as clipping my toenails. Necessary, but not something I look forward to. Unless it’s a spa pedicure, then sign me up. However, sadly, no man has ever been as good as that.

There was Dave, who I met on a dating app. He wouldn’t stop talking when we went to dinner. He talked nonstop for over an hour and I was exhausted after. I usually have a backup plan when I go out on a first date like that, but I hadn’t set anything up. You know, like phone-a-friend, a way out in case it turns out badly. I ended up going to the bathroom and setting my alarm on my phone. When it went off five minutes later, I pretended I was getting an emergency phone call so I could rush out the door and make my escape.

Of course, I can’t forget DJ Luv, AKA Elton Clark. I met him at a party in Charlotte; he was here from Vegas on vacation and recording an album. He came up to Sweetkiss Creek so we could go to dinner a few times, but we didn’t click. For one thing, his day began at five p.m., when I was closing the store. His days were my nights, and we never found synchronicity in our schedules. Levi had a theory that if I really liked him, I’d have made it work, and he has a point. The night Elton asked me over a glass of wine how much I made in a year was probably the night I lost interest.

I’ve thought about putting a profile up on a dating app and also about trying a singles’ night at one of the local bars in town, but no. In the end, I just can’t do it.

So have I sworn off the dating scene? For the time being. I mean, Levi is back here for a few months, and I’d be lying to myself if I tried to ignore the fact that I want to, I don’t know—see if we have a chance?

Toto and I make our way out of the park and back onto Main Street, navigating our way home. Passing by Altman’s Furniture store, I peek in the window at the new items they have. There’s a display showing off a new collection of pine furniture.

Pine. Pining.

Yes. That’s what I am. I am pining for Levi Porter. I could almost make that into a poem: “Pathetically pining for a Porter” is what I’d call it.

Mr. Altman sees me staring through the glass as I walk by and he waves. He’s always there early in the morning, before his staff. He’s also a fan of autobiographies, and I usually keep a few behind the counter for him to check out when he stops in.

Coming from my own life issues, Sweetkiss Creek has been the second chance I never knew I’d need. So when I think about Levi and the ridiculous crush I have on him, I want to make my move slowly.

That’s right, I’m going to make a move. He’s been wrapped up with taking over guardianship and when he wasn’t busy with that, he was on the road for work. Now that he’s back, I’m really hoping I have a chance.

But first, there are other dragons to slay. Like a ten-year-old with a proclivity for lifting cookbooks.