Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
“Let’s talk inside, shall we?” Coach says, ushering us all into the warm comfort of his home.
“Dad, what’s going on?” Noelle says once the front doors shut behind us. “You want us to pretend to date?”
Noelle’s mother, Connie, smiles, welcoming us into her home. We follow her into the kitchen where there’s an assortment of deli meats and olives. The charcuterie is impressive, and I grab a cracker and pop it into my mouth. “Please, let’s all calm down while we discuss this,” Connie says, noticing how Noelle appears a bit frazzled.
“Oh, I’m calm,” Noelle says, sounding not very calm at all.
The family dog, Sally, a blue-eyed Australian Shepherd enters the kitchen, moving toward Noelle, obviously happy to see her. Noelle stops, leans over, and says hello to Sally.
I’m no stranger to this home, and I smile as Coach stares at me.
“Listen, I saw the story break and immediately called Pam over with PR, and she wanted to make sure this story didn’t come off as bad publicity. You know how everything goes. Someone can take something innocent and turn it into mayhem.” He leans against the counter. “Can I ask why the two of you were kissing?”
Noelle stands, her face tinged pink with embarrassment. “I was trying to help ease York’s anxiety about takeoff.”
I rub at the back of my neck. “It was completely my fault, and it definitely won’t happen again.”
Coach studies me for a long, awkward moment. “Right. So, we need to get all of our ducks in a row. I hate to have to ask you both to do this, but do you think you can pretend to date? While we’re here at the house no need to pretend, but maybe we’ll do some public outings.”
“Is that really a good idea, Coach?” I ask. “I mean, what happens after Christmas?”
Both Connie and Coach look at me as though I’ve sprouted another head.
“After?” Coach says like he hasn’t thought that far yet. “Well, we’ll tell everyone you broke up.”
Connie’s nodding along like her husband holds all the answers. She smiles, holding her hands to her heart. “Everyone loves a holiday romance.”
“Right,” Coach agrees. “This could be a very good thing.”
“Let me get this straight,” I say, grabbing another cracker. Before popping it into my mouth, “We’re just going to do a few family outings, and pretend?”
“I think it’ll be great publicity for the team. Connie’s right, everyone loves a good holiday romance.”
I glance at Noelle, my eyebrow rising up. “Will you be my fake girlfriend for the holidays?”
Chapter 5
Noelle
Is it hot in here? I try to swallow, but there’s zero saliva in my mouth, and I grab a glass of water off the counter. I don’t even know who’s water I’ve grabbed. It’s probably my mother’s, and at this point I no longer care.
I need a moment to catch my breath.
I’ve only ever thought about being York’s real girlfriend my entire adult life. Now being asked to be his fake girlfriend has me all in my feels.
I set the glass down, and try to force a smile. “I guess?” I phrase it like a question. “There’s really no other option.”
I remember the anguish and stress my father faced last year when the team was painted in a bad light by the media. It took months and months of trying to rebuild their reputation. So, I get it.
This will only further enhance that reputation. Everyone does love a good holiday romance, even if it’s fake.
“There’s not. We’ll need to put out a press statement, and then we can go to a few outings around town to show you off as a couple.” My father’s a bit too happy about this whole idea.
I look to my mother, but she’s already onboard with my father’s idea, and honestly, if I get to hold York’s hand out in public, I’ll take it.
When will I ever get another chance like this in my lifetime? Um, never.
I glance around, taking in the familiar sights of home. The large wooden table, now set with my mother’s best china, is ready for the holiday feast. The fireplace crackles warmly in the corner, its mantle adorned with stockings and garlands. Despite the turmoil inside me, the scene is almost idyllic.
But the reality of the situation pulls me back. I’ve admired York from afar for so long, and now this bizarre opportunity is staring me in the face. It’s overwhelming. I look at York, standing by the window, his strong profile lit by the twinkling lights outside. Can I really go through with this?
York turns to me, his expression a mix of apology and determination. “Noelle, I promise I’ll do everything I can to make this as easy as possible for you.”
His words are comforting, but they also make my heart ache. This isn’t how I imagined us being together. But if it helps the team and my father, I have to give it my best shot. I nod, taking a deep breath.