Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
I yank the blind shut so fast I almost rip it off the wall. This cannot be real. Serafina picked this place because it was supposed to be quiet. Isolated. Now we’ve got nosy-ass suburbanites throwing a full-blown pool party at ten in the morning like it is their civic duty.
Poe’s door opens down the hall. He steps out looking rumpled and unfairly attractive in last night’s borrowed clothes, hair still messy from sleep. He hears the noise and cocks an eyebrow at me.
“Sounds like a rager,” he says, voice rough with leftover sleep.
Before I can tell him to shut up and stay inside, the doorbell rings. Actual ringing. Like we’re normal people who answer doors. What the hell?
I mutter a curse under my breath and head downstairs. Poe follows, because of course he does. I open the door just a crack.
The blonde is standing there with another woman, both of them holding red Solo cups and wearing giant sunglasses. Behind them, a man in cargo shorts is waving a spatula like a conductor’s baton.
“Hi! I’m Tammy! This is my sister Lisa! We saw you guys pull in last night and figured we’d be neighborly. Pool party BBQ! You have to come! Bring your hubby!”
I open my mouth to say no, absolutely not, we’re busy, we’re contagious, we’re moving to Antarctica. However, Poe steps up beside me, shoulder brushing mine, and flashes a smile that is way too charming for someone who’s technically my prisoner.
“Sure, sounds fun,” he says, like it’s the easiest thing in the world. “What time?”
Tammy lights up like he just handed her a winning lottery ticket. “Now! Whenever! The more the merrier! Oh my gosh, you two are so cute together. How long have you been together?”
I feel my blood pressure spike. Poe laughs, low and warm, clearly enjoying the way my jaw’s clenched so tight it might crack. He slides an arm around my waist like we do this every weekend. A full riot of butterflies swarm through my core. This can’t be happening.
“Feels like forever,” he says, squeezing me gently. “Doesn’t it, babe?”
I want to elbow him in the ribs. Hard. Instead I force a smile that probably looks more like a grimace. “We’ll be over in a bit. Thank you.”
Tammy claps her hands. “Yay! Can’t wait to hear how you two met! Bring swimsuits!”
They bounce off back to their yard, already yelling to the others that the hot new couple is coming.
The second the door shuts I spin on Poe, narrowing my eyes. “What the hell was that?”
He’s still grinning, eyes sparkling with pure mischief. Which is completely distracting. “What? You said we need to blend in. Can’t have the neighbors thinking we’re suspicious. Besides, it’ll be funny.”
“Funny?” I hiss, stepping closer so I’m right in his face. “If you try to signal someone for help, if you say one wrong word, if you even look at someone too long, Serafina will take it out on your sister. Do you understand? This isn’t a game.”
His smile fades a little, but the spark doesn’t die completely. “I understand. But we are going. You can play the uptight wife all you want. I’ll be the fun husband who keeps you from scaring the neighbors.”
I want to strangle him. Slowly. With my bare hands. Instead I shove a swimsuit and cover-up at his chest that Serafina’s people stocked in the closets. “Get changed. And remember every single person at that party is a potential witness. Don’t make me regret this.”
We head upstairs to change. I pull on a simple black one-piece that is modest enough for a fake married woman but still makes me feel exposed. When I come out, Poe is waiting in the hallway in board shorts and a t-shirt, looking like he actually belongs at a suburban BBQ. The sight is annoyingly distracting.
“Ready, honey?” he asks, offering his arm with exaggerated charm.
I ignore the arm and head downstairs. “Call me that again and I’ll shoot you in the foot.”
He laughs softly behind me. “Noted, babe.”
The walk across the backyard to the fence gate feels like crossing enemy lines. The music gets louder. The smell of grilled meat hits us. As soon as we step through, every head turns.
Tammy rushes over first, dragging her husband behind her. “You made it! Everyone, this is our new neighbors! Sorry, I didn’t catch your names?”
“Poe,” he says smoothly, sliding his arm around my waist again before I can stop him. “And this is my beautiful wife, Orchid.”
I force another smile. “Hi.”
The group erupts in greetings. Someone hands us plastic cups of something fruity and strong. A kid runs by screaming about cannonballs. Lisa leans in close, eyes bright with curiosity.
“So how long have you two been together? You look so in love! The way he looks at you? Swoon.”