13. Chapter 13
Phoenix
I'm practically floating down Main Street, hands in my pockets, whistling happily.
The kiss, the way Gigi melted into me, the feel of her hand resting on my chest like it belonged there—I haven’t felt this sure of anything in years. Since my football career ended, I’ve been drifting. But now? I know exactly where I want to be.
Here. With her.
The bonus money feels like a bad memory. A mistake I made before I knew her. Before I saw what she’s built, who she really is. Before I realized trying to change her would be like painting over a masterpiece.
I’m going to tell her. Today. The whole truth. She deserves that—and more.
When I open the bakery door, the scent of sugar and warm vanilla hits me like a hug. But the woman behind the counter doesn’t look like the one I kissed under the stars.
Gigi’s frosting cupcakes with precise, mechanical focus. She doesn’t look up.
“Morning, beautiful,” I say, leaning on the counter with a grin.
“We’re closed.”
“The sign says open.”
“The sign is wrong.”
Something in my chest tightens.
“Gigi?”
She finally looks up. Her eyes are green fire. “What?”
Is she mad at me? What did I do wrong?
I run a hand through my hair, unsure how to respond. “Look, about last night—”
“Yes, let’s talk about last night.” She sets the piping bag down. Her voice is sharp and calm. Too calm. “Tell me, Phoenix… was kissing me part of the job description?”
The floor drops out from under me.
“Gigi—”
“Because I have to say, you’re very good at your job. Thorough. Convincing. Fifty thousand dollars buys a lot of charm, huh?”
She knows.
“Please,” I say, stepping forward. “Let me explain.”
“Oh, I’d love that. Truly. Explain how seducing me was just part of your contract.”
“Seducing you? No. God, no. It wasn’t like that.”
“Then what was it like?” she demands, arms crossed tightly over her chest. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks a lot like you showed up, played the long game, and got a nice little bonus for your trouble.”
“I never needed the money,” I say quickly. “I was going to tell you today. I swear, I was. I agreed to help your parents before I knew you. Before I understood what they were asking me to do.”
“You mean before you realized how easy it would be to play me?” Her voice breaks, just slightly, and she shuts her eyes like she’s furious at herself for letting it.
“I wasn’t playing you.”
“Then what do you call it?” she snaps. “You let me believe something real was happening here. You made me feel things, Phoenix.”
“It was real. Every second after I met you.”
She laughs—a brittle, bitter sound. “Right. Because nothing says sincerity like taking a fifty-thousand-dollar bribe and keeping it a secret.”
“I’m not going to keep the money! I haven’t even brought your parents’ proposition up, have I? At the bake sale, you told me to drop it, and I have.” I lean against the counter, trying to make her meet my gaze. “I didn’t come here to hurt you. I just wanted to help.”
“You were never helping me .”
“I know that now. And I’m sorry. Gigi, I’m so sorry. I never meant to—”
“To what?” Her eyes flash. “Make me fall for you? Because congratulations. You nailed it.”
“Gigi—”
“I want you to leave.”
The words slice clean and cold.
“Please,” I beg. “Don’t do this.”
She moves around the counter, marches to the door, and holds it open for me. “You need to go, Phoenix. Go back to your shiny endorsements and fake sincerity. Go back to the people who pay you to pretend.”
“I wasn’t pretending.”
“Just go.”
I hesitate, still rooted to the floor. Still hoping she doesn’t really want me to leave.
“Go!” she shouts.
I will my legs to move, walking to the door. “For what it’s worth, falling for you is the most honest thing I’ve done in a long time.”
She doesn’t blink. “I don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth.”
The door chimes as I walk out, a cheery sound that mocks me as my heart breaks in half.