“So you’re still in love with her?”
“Absolutely not.” He used his strongest, resolved tone. “I don’t feel anything for her anymore.”
“And that’s why you looked at her like you wanted to stab her with a knife?”
“I did not.”
“I’m pretty sure you made her cry.”
He whispered an expletive. “I hardly even spoke to her. I didn’t mean to hurt her.” Why does everything with Charlie have to be so complicated? “Look Olivia. Don’t say no. Just give it some thought. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get custody of my niece and nephew. It could be good for both of us. And no one would have to know.”
“There’s no way we could fool my sisters.”
“Why not? Why wouldn’t they believe we’d fallen for each other? Let’s make a deal. Just try it for a few weeks. You and I will pretend to be in love. If your sisters buy it, then you agree to marry me.”
“Josh, I don’t know.”
“Remember, you promised not to tell anyone.” He leaned close to her and whispered, “Come here. I need to tell you something.”
“What?” She eyed him with obvious suspicion.
A deft turn of his head brought his lips to hers, as he slipped his hand behind her neck to prevent her retreat. When he broke the kiss, he spoke in her ear. “Don’t make a face. It wasn’t that bad. Was it?”
Leaning back, he cringed at the sight of Olivia’s reddened face and livid expression. Her whole body was shaking. “I want to slap you so badly. I did not agree to that. And yes, it felt like kissing Spencer.”
“Don’t tell me you love me like a brother. I’d rather you say, ‘The thought of touching you disgusts me!’” He chuckled.
“Fine—the thought of touching you disgusts me.” She squeezed the words between gritted teeth. “And how am I going to explain this to my sisters and Emily and Charlie?”
“Just tell them we’re madly in love and we’re getting married.” He grinned at her fury.
Emily almost spit out a mouthful of punch. “Ohmygosh!” She pulled on Spencer’s arm. “Did you see that? Josh just kissed Olivia.”
“What? There’s no way!” Spencer turned to frown at Olivia and Josh, whose heads were close in conversation.
“No, I saw it happen, although she doesn’t look too happy about it. Maybe they’ve been secretly dating, and she didn’t want anyone to know.”
“Well, Josh isn’t going to date my sister behind my back.” Spencer rose with a loud screech of his chair against the floor.
“Wait Spencer, don’t make a scene.” She grabbed his arm.
“I’m not making a scene—Josh made the scene. I’m just clearing the air.” Ripping his arm free, he advanced to their table and gripped Josh’s shoulder.
JOSH ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN his composure in spite of Spencer’s vice-like hold.
“Hey, Josh,” Spencer spoke with his nostrils flaring. “You want to tell me what’s going on here with my sister?”
“Nothing,” said Olivia.
Josh winced at his friend’s obvious irritation, but he knew he had to play out his scheme.
“So the two of you were just sitting here doing nothing when you suddenly decided to kiss?”
“He... he was...” Olivia stuttered.
“I’m in love with your sister. And I’m trying to convince her to marry me.”
Spencer stood in shock, his mouth agape, while Olivia glared at Josh, her brown eyes almost black. “And I’m trying to convince him this is the stupidest idea that’s ever come into his brain, and it will never work.”