Chapter 11
Penny
“You can’t stop thinking about how I’d taste?” I repeat Monty’s words as a small fire ignites in my belly. Warmth spreads through me, and I try not to smile, even as I feel my cheeks turning that rosy red I know will give away all my thoughts.
Monty steps back and pulls the glasses from his face, rubbing at his temple. He holds up a finger. “Yes, but not in some creepy way like you’re probably imagining. It’s just…” He sighs before readjusting his glasses. “Remember how I mentioned that I was having trouble writing?”
The writer’s block.
Or the writer’s block that can’t be mentioned. I nod.
“Well, this morning, the only thing I was able to write about was what might have happened last night—” My eyes go wide as Monty adds, “You know, if we were two different people.” He shrugs.
“Then my mom called and I was talking to her about my writing problem and she suggested that maybe it was because I haven’t been out there living.
She also thought you might be able to help me plot a better book. ”
“Okay,” I say slowly, trying to wrap my mind around what he’s saying. I’d really like to go back to discussing our almost kiss, and what he’s been writing about it. Was it a good kiss? Did it stop at kissing? Can I read it?
“Then when I used yesterday as inspiration,” Monty continues, “well, I started writing and I couldn’t stop. I’ve got ten pages already.”
“And that’s a lot?”
Monty nods aggressively, running his hands through his thick dark hair as he begins pacing the kitchen.
“You see, that thing you said last night might have hit a nerve. The thing about chemistry. And love stories.”
“Okay,” I say slowly, not sure where he’s going with this.
“And originally I was planning to write this story about a man who travels back in time to try and solve the murder of this bootlegger back in the 1920s.”
“A time-traveling mystery. Interesting.”
For just a moment, he pauses his pacing and lets his green eyes meet mine. “Thank you.”
I raise a brow, signaling for him to go on.
“Anyway, I realized I could still tell that story, but if I made the hero a heroine, I could capture the romance readers as well.”
“A two for one,” I tease.
“According to you, it’s probably ten for one, since romance has a bigger audience.”
I don’t hide how pleased I am at his words; so often people dismiss the romance genre despite its proven track record.
“So you’re writing a romance?”
Monty squeezes his fists by his side. “Well, I’d like to write a romance. Problem is, I don’t know how.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course you do.”
“Says the woman who told me my characters lacked chemistry.”
“Because you didn’t try and capture it!” I hear the frustration in my tone and then ease my approach. “I think you are more than capable of writing a romance, Monty.”
“No, before today, I really couldn’t.” He shakes his head. “But today, fuck, Penny, since spending time with you, I—” He glances toward the stairs then closes his eyes. When he opens them, his expression is softer, though I can still see the excitement coursing through him. “I think it helped.”
“Spending time with me helped you write?” This time, I look toward the stairs that I know lead to his bedroom—the same place where he found me naked—and my stomach tightens. “I’m not sleeping with you so you can write a book, Monty!”
He holds his hands up in panicked surrender. “That’s not what I’m suggesting, I swear it. Fuck, I keep screwing this up. I’m not explaining myself well.”
“Then just come out with it.”
Monty straightens as his emerald eyes lock on mine. “I’d like to be your fake boyfriend.”
“So you were serious?”
I hear my mom telling me to take a chance. And it could help me figure out what I want, but standing here so close to him. Knowing he wants to know what I taste like. It feels like playing with fire. And I don’t want to get burned.
“Think about it,” Monty explains. “This works for both of us. You said it yourself, you’re tired of everyone trying to set you up. And that you just need to be single for a while.”
“Exactly,” I say. “But how does being single equate to me fake dating you?”
Monty opens and closes his mouth a few times before shaking his head. “That’s not— Fuck, I knew I would screw this up.”
“Stop trying to sell me on something and tell me what you’re thinking. It’s just me. Why are you acting so weird?”
“Because the almost kiss is fucking with my brain, Xuxuzinho.” Monty tugs at his hair.
“Because I haven’t written a single page for months and, after one night hanging out with you, the words are finally coming.
This is my last shot, Pen. I need to write the best book I can. But I can only do it if you help me.”
His desperation is written all over him. In his voice, in the sagging of his shoulders. In the way he tugs at his dark hair.
“But how will dating me help?” I ask.
“Maybe it was just a fluke. Maybe spending more time together won’t help me write. But maybe—” His shoulders lift.
“I’m your muse?” I tease.
He shrugs. “Crazier things have helped writers.”
“Still—”
“I know this is crazy, and maybe it won’t work.
But you know romance more than anyone. Give me a few months: you can help me write the best book, and everyone in town will leave you alone.
No more ridiculous dating suggestions, no more candle séances.
You can just focus on your store because everyone else will be focused on how I’ve fallen for you… ”
“So you want us to act in love?”
“Fuck, Pen, I don’t know, I’ve never even been in a relationship. You’ve studied these books more than a doctor studies for the boards. What do you think?”
“I wouldn’t say I read that much.” I laugh and he looks at me quizzically. “Okay, maybe I have. But this is crazy. No one is going to believe that you are dating me.”
Monty steps closer and his eyes dip to my lips again. I do a tremendous job of not doing the same. “But they already think we are.”
He nods his chin to the phone in my pocket and I suck in a breath.
“The town chat.” Monty grins devilishly. “We use it against them; give them just enough information to keep them hooked. Date in town, flirt in public.”
My pulse ricochets a million miles per minute. “And I teach you how to be a romantic hero in private?”
He rolls his teeth over his bottom lip, and I feel the tug of it in my core. “Whatever you think I need to know. Whatever it is that makes a romance special. Whatever makes them your favorite books.”
What makes a romance special? God, it’s moments like this, where the tension is as high as the stakes. Where the chemistry is so palpable you can almost taste it. But I’m not sure I could handle all of that with Jake Montgomery.
I flutter my eyes closed and create some space between us. “We can’t do this.”
“See, that’s just the thing, I think we can.”
“Right, because this works for you.” I scoff.
“You get to look like the hero who saved pathetic Penny. You’ll write your book, get your publishing deal, and leave.
Meanwhile, I’m the one lying to everyone I know and, when this ends, I’ll return to being pathetic Penny. The Darling girl who can’t keep a man.”
“Or—” Monty closes the gap again with a short step.
“You control the narrative. You show everyone how strong you are. You want to break my heart at the end of all this? Fine. You want to tell them we decided a romantic relationship wasn’t worth risking our friendship for?
Also fine. Because, Penny, I am not willing to destroy that, either. ”
I frown and he takes one more step toward me.
“I don’t have many friends like you. I wasn’t lying yesterday when I said your texts were the highlight of my days these past few months. We’ll do this however you want.” He sighs. “Or not at all, if it’s really too much.”
Take a chance. I swallow down the rising anxiety. Because I think I might want to do this, too. “It’s not too much.”
His expression is pure shock. And a touch of joy. “No?”
Tongue to my cheek, I shake my head, knowing I’m probably going to regret this.
But maybe Monty’s right. Maybe I can get something out of this. Maybe if we date—pretend date—I can practice not losing myself in a man. I can care about my books and my Instagram, I can revel in Hope Harbor’s magical fall activities, all while keeping the Liberty Ladies at bay.
It would be easy to pretend with Monty and maybe, if I get comfortable fake dating him, I’ll be ready to real date someone else.
“I guess it wouldn’t be awful for me to put myself out there again.” I purse my lips. “Show everyone I’m fine.”
“Plus, you’d be helping me write a good book, which means there would be one less bad book in the world.”
I shake my head, though I can’t help the smile spreading across my face.
Monty’s lips hook up to one side. “And I could probably get Julie Rose to sign some books for you.”
“Oh, that’s not playing fair! You know she’s my favorite author of all time.”
His smirk tips into an all-out grin. “I might even be able to get her to come do a signing at the store.”
My mouth falls open. “Seriously?”
“We have the same publisher.” He shrugs. “And we’ve attended a few events together.”
“Wait, do you have Julie Rose’s phone number?” He shrugs and I take one more step, eradicating the space between us entirely. “Did you date Julie Rose?”
“No! I don’t date. After all the relationships I’ve witnessed over the years, I don’t even know if I believe in love.”
I let out a low hum. “Well, maybe I should do this just to prove you wrong.”
“You should.” Monty flashes me a smile, then turns serious. “But remember this is for the book. And for your peace of mind. I don’t want you thinking you can fix me.”
I scoff out a laugh as I move backward. “Noted.”
“So you’ll do it?”
I look toward the stairs. “We’ll need rules.”
“Of course.”
And then toward the platter of sweets laid out on the counter. “And snacks.”
“I’ll bring you pastéis daily.” Monty grins. “Hell, I’ll get you the damn recipe and teach you how to make them if you want.”
He steps closer, brushing his fingers softly against my cheek. Goose bumps scatter across my arms and I lean into his palm. “Whatever you want, Penny, we do this your way.”
I search his green eyes for the lie. I’ve been in this position before; been promised everything and left with nothing.
But this is different because none of it is real.
And Monty’s not Dick. I can help my friend and enjoy my favorite season without the whole town trying to set me up on bad dates.
And, who knows, maybe I’ll even have a little fun.
It’s that last thought that seals the deal for me. Because I haven’t had fun in a long time.
“Okay.”
Monty’s lips part. “Okay?”
“Yes, okay.” I laugh. “I’ll be your fake girlfriend.”