rule-following, never-breaks-a-single-regulation counselor-stand

spreading across my face. "Well, well. L

e, crossing her arms in that defensive way she always did. "And don't

you're tired of being the victim. Admirable, actually. A littl

im

t's get down to business. Your grandm

Satu

ay. So here's what I'm thinking: we do your event first, see how

eyebrow. "Dr

ed my

to iron out the d

ind of

t the edge, right in front of her. Close enough

tilted my head. "What ar

d. "What d

l. "How are you going to refer to me?

ent wide.

. Honey. Sweetheart. Whatev

mes." Her voice wa

What do you mean you've never?

e. Or embarrassment. "Oliver and I... we weren't like that.

years and no pet

s a hopeless ro

he slight shift in her posture, the way she seemed to ha

e than I thought," I mu

ha

formation away. "Okay, no pet names. But t

me warily

each other. Hold hands. Put their

n in a relationship before. Where

need to touch your arm when I'm talking to you. I need to stand close enough that people actuall

ewhere between hand on lower back and kiss, because she just sa

and I-" She stopped like she'd just walked into a glass door.

repeated. "What ha

Her voice dropped. "Said it was for teenagers.

or five full secon

heated on you with your cousin, who strung you along for a decade, who

, h

the edge out of my voice. "You just...

mature to show affe

nd opened them again. That bastard. T

forward slightly, my voice dropping. "Couples who are

ide. "We're not

we need to be convincing. So when I lean in to kiss your cheek, or whe

very speci

point is, I need to know where your boun

er lip in a way that was di

my arm-that's fine. But kissing..." She hesitated. "I don'

breath. "Fine.

one at the office about this. I have a reputation, and I'm no

tial," I agreed. "

sion. "When this is over-after both events-we go back to

yes. "Nothi

nt, searching for any sign of de

"Then we have a deal. Tomorro

do yo

he was already walking toward

am

t the thresh

hair, a slow smile sp

ning. I want to make

but she was smiling

ing at the door she'd just closed, wonder