9. Liking You Was Never the Problem
Liking You Was Never the Problem
Braden
M ina is restocking the pastry shelves when I stroll into One More Page, her face intent as she repositions the cakes to her liking.
Even with the most mundane task, she’s thorough and exacting, which is why she’s the only proper candidate for the dance studio, no matter what brand of bullshit her aunt is peddling.
“Hey, you got a minute?”
Mina glances up, an artificial smile playing on her mouth. “What do you need? Coffee? Croissant?”
“Nothing, thanks. I spoke to Ash about this weekend.”
Her brow furrows. “You did?”
“Don’t look so surprised. Anyway, good news, I’m off for the weekend, and I have two goals.”
She pauses, her tongs frozen in midair. “Dare I ask?”
“First is convincing your Aunt Bitsy how amazing I am. By the end of the weekend, she’s going to love me.”
Mina snorts at my comment. “I don’t think Aunt Bitsy loves me , so don’t get your hopes up.”
“Stranger things have happened. Don’t you want to know what the other goal is? ”
She clears her throat and rests her forearms on the glass counter. “I don’t know. Do I?”
“Ensuring you have the best time ever.”
Mina brushes a few imaginary crumbs from the counter before meeting my gaze. “I think you have a better chance with Aunt Bitsy.”
Ouch. That one stings—but I’m not giving up. Hey, at least she’s looking at me again. And unless I’m imagining things, there’s the faintest trace of a real smile.
It’s progress.
Mina glances at the clock and shrugs off her apron. “I have to go.”
“Where are you headed?” I ask, rocking back on my heels.
Am I stalling? Damn straight. I need to fix this situation with Mina, and fast. Bitsy is too wily to buy our relationship if we don’t lean hard into the whole true love angle.
Plus, I don’t want to leave just yet. I have an hour before my next appointment, and spending time with my ballerina girl seems like a perfect antidote to chase away the doldrums.
If she’ll let me.
A flush blooms across Mina’s cheeks. I swear, it gets more adorable every time.
And now I really want to know where she’s headed.
“That good, huh?”
Mina waves me off and steps out from behind the coffee bar.
“Not hardly. Aunt Bitsy made a few comments about me not wearing an engagement ring, so I’m going to the flea market to see if I can find something that will pass her inspection.
Here’s hoping she doesn’t bring her jeweler’s loupe for fun. ”
She pauses beside me, giving my arm an awkward little punch. “I appreciate you coming with me this weekend. It’ll be nice to have someone in my corner.”
From gentle kisses to a punch in the arm. Yep, we have some work to do .
I fall into step with her, noting how our strides align perfectly. “I have some time before my next client, so I’ll come with you.”
“Why?”
I shrug at her pointed tone, feeling my own cheeks redden under her direct gaze. “Isn’t it the groom’s job to pick out the ring? Come on, I’ll drive.”
I don’t give her a chance to argue as I loop an arm around her shoulder and steer her toward my truck.
And yes, I open the door for her. That’s what good guys do, even when she looks at me like I’ve sprouted a second head.
We drive along in silence, save for the rock song playing on the radio and Mina’s voice as she sings along.
“I didn’t know you were a fan of grunge,” I remark with a wink.
Mina shrugs, her gaze focused on the road. “Yeah, my mom listens to it.”
“Is that a jab at my age?”
“Maybe. You love reminding me of mine.”
Touché, Mina. Touché.
“Trust me, sweets. You’re all woman.”
Am I pushing? Of course. Is it working? Damned if I know.
Mina points down a side street. “The flea market is down that way.”
“I know, but we’re not going to the flea market for your ring.”
Mina’s eyes grow round as saucers as I park in front of a small jewelry store. “Braden, I’m broke, remember? I can’t afford an apartment, much less a diamond ring.”
Pivoting in my seat, I grasp her fingers and brush soft kisses across her knuckles. “This store belongs to a good friend of mine. Let’s go in and have a little chat with him—see what we can work out. ”
“Work out? As in… trade?”
“That might fly if he wants a plethora of ink or dance lessons.” I chuckle at her horrified expression. “He’s lent my family jewelry before. My mom had this huge shindig to attend, and he let her borrow an emerald necklace from the store.”
“I don’t know. This sounds like a terrible idea. I’m hardly a celebrity.”
She looks terrified—which sends my protective instincts into overdrive, even if her fears are focused on cut diamonds and band designs.
“Yet. But you will be.” I qualify her statement, earning my first genuine smile of the day. “Look, if he isn’t cool with it, no big deal. I’ll throw down my credit card until we’re able to return the ring. Sound good?”
I hop out of the truck and walk around to Mina’s door. With a dramatic sigh, she slides to the ground and shrugs. “I guess.”
“Mina, your aunt’s no fool. She knows the difference between real jewelry and costume, and I’m fairly sure she will inspect it. She’ll see through a flea market find in a heartbeat. Besides, if we’re going to do this, let’s do this right. Come on.”
The bell above the door jingles as we step inside, and my buddy Teddy strolls out from the back. A broad grin spreads across his face when he sees me.
“Braden Hammond, how the hell are you?” He pulls me into a big hug before grinning at Mina. “Who is this lovely lady?”
“This is Mina. We’re shopping for an engagement ring.” I drape an arm around Mina, pulling her close. She stiffens and averts her gaze, and I swear my friend is going to think the woman is my hostage instead of my fiancée.
Teddy pumps the air with his fist. “Holy shit. That’s amazing. I better be invited to the wedding. Congratulations, man.”
Mina shifts her weight from one foot to the other, her discomfort increasing by the second. She shoots me a glance, and I know she expects me to spill the details to Teddy about our arrangement.
But right now, I’m enjoying the idea of her too much.
After a beat of silence, Mina sighs and shakes her head. “No need to congratulate us, Teddy. It’s not?—”
“It’s not something we’ve made public yet.” I tighten my grip around her waist, wrapping my hand around her hip in a protective gesture.
I damn near burst out laughing at the incredulous look Mina shoots me. No words are needed, but I hear her loud and clear.
Braden, what in the hell are you doing?
“I told Mina that you could help us find the perfect ring.” We step toward one of the glass counters, filled with engagement rings. “Shit, there really are a ton of options.”
“And that’s just a sampling,” Teddy replies, walking behind the counter. “What kind of ring are you looking for, Mina?”
Mina shrugs, the anxiety wafting off her in waves. “I don’t know anything about engagement rings.”
Teddy nods and chuckles. “Good thing I do. We’ll start easy. Do you want a solitaire? A three-stone? Maybe a halo option?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Her words fall flat and emotionless from her lips.
I hold up a hand to Teddy. “Give us a second, okay?”
I pull Mina to the side and tip her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Hey. I know it’s hard, but could you try to act like you like me?”
Mina crosses her arms over her chest and glowers at me. “You know I like you, Braden. That’s not the issue. Why didn’t you tell Teddy the truth? Tell him that this is just a fake showing?”
It’s a fair question, and one I have the perfect answer for— thought up right on the spot. Best part? It’s true, so she can’t argue it.
“Sparkwood is a small town, Mina. Word travels fast, and everyone’s going to know we’re engaged by the end of the weekend, right? I told you before that if we’re doing this, we’re doing it right.”
“Seems to be your credo,” Mina grumbles, swiping a few tears from her eyes.
She might not want to discuss last night, but if we’re going to make this work, she needs to believe my intentions are honorable.
“Damn straight it is.” I frame her face with my hands and press a lingering kiss to her mouth, savoring the taste of her.
“You deserve special . Not mediocre, not fake, and certainly not some drunken escapade. You need top-of-the-line, fantastic, over-the-moon experiences. Every. Single. Time. And dammit, if I’m your fiancé, then that’s what you’re going to get from me.
So, could you stop fighting me, please?”
Mina’s bright blue eyes search my face, a hint of a smile creeping across her lips. “Damn, when did you get so bossy?”
And just like that, Mina lays down her arms. Poof.
Argument? What argument?
My mouth twitches in amusement as I shrug, dusting my nails across my shirt. “Well, I am the man in the relationship, so I have to take charge occasionally. Don’t worry, I fully understand I’m never winning another argument.”
A full grin breaks across her features as she relaxes her posture. “So long as you’re aware.”
“Trust me, I know. Now, could you please resume your role as my ridiculously in-love fiancée?”
Mina giggles, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve heard all day. “For you? I’ll give it a go.”
Just like everyone else, Mina has Teddy charmed within thirty seconds. There’s something so ethereal about her. She possesses this ingenue quality—equal parts innocence and playful exuberance—all wrapped up in the body of a fashion model.
No joke. I assumed she was a model when we first met. I also tripped all over myself, trying to appear cool and unaffected by her beauty. When I realized she was also a sweetheart, all bets were off.
Now we’re shopping for rings for a fake engagement that’s feeling more real by the minute.
What a wild trip.
Mina points to a small, nondescript-looking ring in the case. “How about this one?”
I know what she’s doing—picking the cheapest ring in the store in an effort to save me money.
Not happening.
I give the ring a cursory glance and shake my head. “Absolutely not.”
Mina rolls her eyes and snorts before pointing to the ring next to it, only a fraction larger than the first. “Fine, boss man, how about this one?”
“Still no. Come here.” I motion for her to join me by the adjoining case. “I like this one.”
Teddy describes the ring, using a bunch of technical terms I don’t understand—cut, clarity, and a few other C-words I’ve already forgotten.
All I know is that it’s a beautiful ring, and it will look beautiful on Mina.
Mina gulps and shakes her head when I show her the diamond ring—a gorgeous round stone surrounded by tiny sapphires. “It’s stunning, but that’s a very expensive ring, Braden.”
“Let’s focus on the first part of that statement,” I reply, motioning for Teddy to take the ring out of the case. “Just try it on. Humor me.”
Mina’s lips quirk with mischief as she holds out her hand. “I think that part is your job. ”
“I think you’re right.” Taking the ring from Teddy, I grasp Mina’s left hand and gently slide the ring down her finger.
As I do, the strangest feeling rushes through me—a connection to this woman I still barely know, yet an uncanny belief that she’s the best thing that will ever happen to me.
Plus, this fake engagement offers me a chance to toss out all my preconceived notions—about Mina’s age, her lack of sexual experience, and my slightly spotty sexual history. All the reasons I’ve concocted why we won’t work.
It’s given me an opportunity to focus on why we might.
“Well,” I murmur, gliding my thumb across her fingers, “what do you think?”
When our gazes meet, I know she feels it too.
Her eyes are bright with tears as she bites back a smile. “It’s the most perfect ring ever.”
Yep. I’m a goner.
I hand Teddy the ring. “We’ll take it, but I have a huge favor to ask. I need this ring sized by tomorrow.”
Teddy chuckles, running a hand over his jaw. “Talk about a rush job.”
“I know it will cost more, but that doesn’t matter.”
Teddy’s gaze bounces between us before he nods. “You’re lucky I like you. No problem, Braden. It will be ready to go by tomorrow. No extra charge.”
“No, I don’t expect it for free.”
“Trust me, man, the ring isn’t free, but the sizing is no big deal. I do the work myself, so it’s not outsourced.”
I reach across the glass, clapping Teddy on the shoulder. “Appreciate it.”
Mina and I walk out of the store fifteen minutes later and hop back into the truck.
My credit card isn’t speaking to me anymore, but it’s worth it.
She’s worth it .
Mina flops back against the seat with a sigh. “I’m going to be indebted to you for the next hundred years.”
“Maybe more.”
I move to put the truck into reverse, but she grabs my hand. “Why did you do that?”
“I wanted you to have a nice ring.”
“There were nice ones that cost half that amount. You didn’t need to buy me something fancy.”
I lean over and steal a quick kiss from her mouth, determined to lighten the mood. “Brownie points. Besides, I know you like me a little.”
Mina scoffs at my cocky aside. “Liking you was never a problem.” She waves her hands, motioning to me. “Just have no clue what to do with you.”
“Trust me, sweets, that’s the fun part.”
“What is?”
“Discovering everything you can do with me.”