Chapter 7 #2
He laughs. Not his usual chuckle, the bright, loud, unselfconscious one I’ve heard through the window.
This is shorter. Warmer. A quick burst through his nose followed by a grin I can almost see.
Something about it feels different, but different isn’t wrong.
People laugh in various ways depending on the situation, right?
“So tell me more about this ex,” he asks, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on his thigh.
“How far are we pushing this? Low-key but attentive? Hand at your back, inside jokes, laughing at the right moments? Or are we going full possessive Alpha mode where I keep you tucked against my side, kiss you when he looks over, and make it obvious I know exactly how lucky I am to have you?”
My brain trips over the image so hard it practically face-plants. “Wow. Is that how you are with dates, or did I accidentally hire the deluxe package?”
His mouth curves. “You asked for a fake date. I take responsibilities seriously.”
“That sounded alarmingly rehearsed.”
“I work fast.”
“Clearly.” I smooth my hands over my dress, mostly because they need supervision. “Just… present. Attentive. You don’t need to fight anyone.”
“But I could if needed?”
“Please don’t fight anyone at the wedding.”
“What if he deserves it?” he asks.
“He probably does.”
“Then I appreciate your honesty, but I’m keeping a contingency plan.”
I bite back a smile, knowing it’s going to be a good night. Just making Louis jealous will bring me all the satisfaction I’ve needed.
“If he’s rude to you, I’m allowed to stand close enough to him that he has to be scared for his life.”
Despite myself, I laugh, and some of the tightness in my body loosens. “Deal.”
We drive, the outskirts of Mistberry Cove sliding past in soft, watery shapes through my traitorous contacts. I should be terrified, and I am, but every time he glances over, far too comfortable with the idea of pretending I’m his, my panic loses a little ground.
Then my phone rings, and I answer, placing the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hey!” Nina’s voice explodes through. “Tell me everything. Is he there? In the car? Right now? Is he wearing a suit?”
I press the phone to my other ear and drop to a whisper. “Yes. And volume, please.”
“Oh my God, he can hear me?”
“Yep.”
“Fantastic. Sir, if you can hear this, blink twice if you’re hot.”
His shoulders shake, but he maintains his focus on the road. Yet the grin is immediate.
“Nina.”
“What? Is he hot in the suit? On a scale of one to I’d-leave-my-husband-if-I-had-one?”
“I’m not answering that.”
“That means ten. Excellent. Listen, tonight is going to be incredible. You’re going to walk in there looking like a goddess with that man on your arm, and Louis is going to swallow his own tongue. Possibly choke on it. We can hope.”
I can’t help but laugh with her.
“Just be happy. The best way to destroy an ex is to show up living your best life while he watches from the sad little corner he built for himself.”
Brody makes a low approving sound. “She’s good.”
“Is that him?” Nina shrieks. “Oh, I like him already.”
“I’m hanging up.”
“And if Louis walks over, kiss the Alpha with tongue and all. Make it count. No little grandma peck. I want the photographer to question whether this is still a family event.”
“Goodbye, Nina.”
“Proud of you! Weaponize joy!”
I hang up and stare straight ahead while silence fills the cab for three full seconds.
Then Brody exhales through his nose, still grinning. “Your friend gives solid tactical advice.”
“She’s unhinged.”
“She’s not wrong.”
I turn my head slowly. “Don’t encourage her.”
“I’m just saying, as the Alpha currently assigned to this emergency, I respect a clear strategy.”
A laugh slips out before I can stop it as he adjusts the mirror. I catch the movement of his hand, fingers drumming once against the steering wheel before stilling.
“She’s right about being happy too,” he says, quieter now. “That’s the part that’ll get him. Not me standing there but you walking in and remembering you’re allowed to enjoy your own damn life.”
The words sit with me longer than I expect.
He glances at me. “So here’s my challenge for tonight. I make you laugh and keep you from disappearing into a corner unless you need a minute, and if your ex looks over, he sees exactly what he gave up. In exchange, I get to spend the night getting to know you better.”
My pulse stumbles. “That sounds fair.”
His smile turns slow. “Good.”
“Good?”
“Means it won’t be boring.”
I’m scared to ask what he means by that, so I peer out the window, fighting a smile and the ridiculous urge to believe him. “Deal,” I say, even though I’m starting to suspect I have no idea what I’ve just agreed to.
We drive in comfortable silence for a minute. Then my right eye twitches, burns, and I press my finger to my eyelid with a groan. “I can’t do it. I can’t wear them anymore.”
I fish the contact case from my clutch, unscrew the cap, and lean toward the visor mirror. One lens out. Then the other. Both dropped into solution. I squeeze drops into my eyes, blink through the sting, and the world dissolves from watercolor haze to full naked blur.
“Sorry you have to watch me dismantle myself in your passenger seat.”
“Please. I’m the guy who once livestreamed himself with toothpaste on his face for twenty minutes before anyone told me. Human moments are my brand.”
I smile, fumbling for my glasses case. “That feels alarmingly on-brand.”
The frames slide onto my nose, and finally the world snaps into focus. Then I glance over at Brody and my heart stops.
It’s not him driving the car. But a damn stranger.
Wrong face. Wrong eyes. Wrong mouth. Wrong man.
I half squeal, half scream, slamming my back against the passenger door, clutch crushed to my chest, seat belt cutting into my shoulder. “Oh my God. Who are you?”
His eyes widen. The truck jerks right, tires bumping over the edge of the lane before he swears, corrects, and pulls onto a quiet side street. He throws it into park but keeps both hands on the wheel as though he’s afraid sudden movement might make me launch myself out the window.
“Claire, are you okay?”