Just Pretend (Love Comes To Town)

“Don’t be so hard on her,” Nolan says. “Sierra’s just being cautious. I can respect that.”

“That’s understandable,” Mom agrees. “But when were you planning on having us meet, Sierra?”

How about when I knew whether Nolan and me were the real deal and could say for certain that he wasn’t using me as part of some elaborate fake engagement plot?

“You’re right, Mom,” I say instead. “Sorry. I just got caught up with all the work lately and didn’t plan out a good time.”

Nolan, to his credit, doesn’t mention that he’s already tried meeting my family a few times before. I guess I’m not completely furious at him.

“Speaking of which,” Mom says, “how’s that article been going? The independent one from that man?”

I gulp.

Way to bring up the last thing I’d want you to, Mom.

“You’ve got another job going on?” Nolan says, turning to me with what looks like genuine interest.

“Yeah, I just quit, though,” I say. “Didn’t like my boss.”

“Oh.” Mom tries to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “I thought you said the pay was extremely good?”

“It was,” I say quickly. “Just not the right fit.”

“I’m sure she had her reasons,” Peyton cuts in, in a tone that suggests they were stupid ones.

I guess me praying that she’ll focus on driving is pretty much hopeless.

“Anyway,” I say, as she parks the car, “looks like we’re here!”

The rest of the day goes better.

Nolan charms Mom and Peyton enough that Peyton hardly has time to try pissing me off. Nolan even talks to some of the landlords on Mom’s behalf. At one place, he manages to halve the price. At another, he straight-up tells Mom to turn it down.

“I know the contractor who made this building,” he explains as we leave. “The man cuts corners in everything. You’d have plumbing and electrical problems from day one. Not worth it.”

By the end, Mom’s decided on a nice two-bedroom in town, and Nolan has bargained the price down for her.

“Nolan Storm,” Peyton says, stepping forward and touching him on the chest once we’re finished. “I do think that you’re our knight in shining armor.

Frowning in confusion, Nolan steps back. “Thanks. But it wasn’t really a big deal.”

“Well, you’ll have to let me take you out sometime to make up for it,” she declares.

I just gape at her.

I have to give it to her: Peyton has balls.

I mean, I’ve never seen her as Pollyanna, or anything but a selfish bitch, but this takes the cake: Flirting this blatantly with my boyfriend while literally right in front of me.

“If Sierra’s there, I will be too,” Nolan says stoutly, nodding to me.

I could kiss him right now.

“But right now,” he continues, “I’m afraid I do have plans… with Sierra—if she’s free?”

I find myself grinning. “Oh, I’m free.”

Anything to get away from my evil sister.

And after today, I actually want to spend some more time with Nolan. He made what was slated to be an agonizing afternoon actually bearable.

“It’s a surprise, though,” he says, with a wink.

Mom grins at us. “You two have fun. Thanks for helping me out, both of you. Lovely to meet you, Nolan.”

“My pleasure,” Nolan says, smiling.

Peyton is squinting at Nolan as if he’s a sign she can’t read. “So, you’re actually going off… with her?”

“They are dating, Peyton,” Mom says with a small laugh. Knowing her, she’s once again reinterpreted Peyton’s inborn bitchiness as ‘a bit of confusion’. “Now, you two have fun!”

“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend tonight with,” Nolan says, kissing me on the cheek.

Then, he takes my hand and we’re off.

“Whew,” I say, as soon as he’s driven off.

“Your sister…” he begins hesitantly.

“Hates my guts,” I finish for him.

“Ah,” he says. “I wondered.”

“Thank you,” I tell him. “At first, I didn’t think you coming was a good idea, but I actually had a great time. I really appreciate all the advice and help you gave to my mom.”

“It was good meeting your family,” Nolan says. “Although there is something I’d like from you.”

My heart drops.

Great.

So much for him doing this just for the sake of it.

There’s a price—of course there’s a price. I should’ve known.

Chapter 19

Nolan

The car stopped at a red light, I glance over to scan her face.

She’s gorgeous, of course, even with her red-brown hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and little makeup. But she looks tense. Not like someone who’s about to give me anything.

“Stay the night with me,” I say, grinning.

Sierra’s eyes semi-squint. “That’s it?”

“What do you mean, that’s it?”

“That’s all you want?” She sounds surprised.

“Why is that so hard to believe?”

She lets out a little laugh, which ends in an easing of her features and body. “I don’t know. Because of how you said it? Who says ‘although there is something I’d like from you’ when they just want you to stay the night?”