20. Chapter 16

Dinner the other night went about as well as could be expected. As of today no one has called asking for more details, including Susie. Seeing that my family likes to ask lots of questions, it's slightly odd but also comforting. I'm not ready to have someone make me look deeper into this situation. Yeah, it's strange, especially for me. But I'm just being a good friend by helping Josh out, right?

I'm filled with nervous energy, so I grab my jacket and head out for a walk to see if I can calm myself down. The sun is starting to set and the light is hitting the leaves in a way that makes everything look like a pastel painting. There's a bit of a chill in the air, and the smell of burning wood is lingering in the breeze. I inhale and smile, feeling my nerves starting to calm. I love this time of year.

I look down the street and realize that my unplanned walk has led me to Josh's house. His truck is parked in the driveway. I've always found it impressive that even though Josh could pretty much afford any house he wanted, he bought a house in Pleasant Hollow. I smile as I walk up his stairs and knock on the door without thinking.

This is actually the first time I've ever come to his house without Susie, and I suddenly feel shy at coming over unannounced. I think about walking away but that would be silly after I already knocked. My heart starts to race just as the door opens.

"Brie," Josh says as he answers the door. His smile is quizzical as he looks at me. "Is everything okay?"

"Hey. Everything is fine." The smile on my face wobbles. "I was out for a walk, and somehow found myself here. Do you want to join me? I feel like we have some stuff to iron out a bit more."

"You know you could've just called, right?" The teasing look on his face is one that I've wanted to smack off so many times in the past and tonight is no different. But he's right. I could've just called.

I shrug. "Me being here is a surprise to me, too. No worries, I'll give you a call later." I smile and wave, then turn back toward the stairs when his voice stops me.

"Wait one sec. Let me grab a sweatshirt." I feel the corners of my lips curve up.

"Okay." I lean against the banister to wait. A few seconds later he reappears, putting on a sweatshirt and closes the door behind him. I push off the banister and start down the steps with Josh beside me.

Even though my entire body is aware of the man next to me, we walk in a comfortable silence. I don't think I remember my senses being this heightened while at the same time relaxed. It's a strange feeling.

"So…" Josh breaks the silence. "Dinner didn't go too bad last night."

"That depends on your definition of ‘too bad'. I mean, being grilled in front of our entire families about us kissing was a bit embarrassing." We both chuckle, and I notice him lift his hand to the back of his neck. His red face pops into my mind and a bigger laugh escapes.

"What?" He turns his body and walks backward facing me.

"Nothing," I say as I laugh again.

"Okay, Miss Brianne Woodbury. Tell me what you're laughing about!" I meet his gaze and all thoughts flee my head. His eyes are the perfect shade of green. Before I can stop myself, my eyes drop to his lips. "Come on, tell me."

I shift my gaze back to his and notice the teasing glint is replaced by something else that makes my stomach swoop.

"Your blushing." I giggle again. "I've never seen you blush like that before. It was adorable." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. Josh abruptly stops walking and I nearly run into his chest. I feel his hands on my upper arms as he steadies me.

"Adorable, huh?" He says, with a lopsided grin. How could I have never noticed how sexy that grin is before? He drops his arms and shifts himself back to my side to start moving forward again, thankfully interrupting thoughts I shouldn't be thinking.

"This situation is weird, isn't it?" I try to change the topic. I see him shrug from the corner of my eye.

"Fake dating is very weird." He nods in agreement. "Our families" reactions were even weirder."

"I know!" I think back to what felt like disappointment when they found out it was all a ruse. "I'm still a bit taken back by it."

"They made some valid points though," he says sheepishly. The corner of my lips lift again. I like this side of Josh Owens. I like getting to see part of the big confident football player that no one sees. It makes me feel special.

"Which part?" I ask, thinking about all of the different things they said.

"The kissing." He clears his throat. "We need to iron out the details on the kissing. You know, the when, where, how much, how little."

I can't help it, I laugh.

"I'm serious," he says.

"I know, and you're right. The way you said all of that was just so…technical." This time he laughs with me.

"Well, then how about you go ahead and tell me how much you'd like to kiss me?" His tone is joking yet serious.

"No. I think I'll let you decide that. I mean after all it was your agent"s idea." He suddenly stops and I turn around to look at him. One eyebrow is arched and his head is cocked. "What?"

"Who are you and what have you done with the girl who has to make sure she knows exactly what's happening and when?"

"That girl left the building when she said yes to your crazy plan." I laugh and reach my arm back toward him. "Come on."

He walks up to meet me and grabs my hand. It's my turn to stop and look up at him. That lopsided grin is back and my heart flips.

"If I'm the one making all the decisions about this, then I think hand holding on a walk is something a real couple would do." I stare at him and he laughs. He entwines my fingers with his and gives me a slight tug. "Come on. It's not a walk if you're not moving."

As my feet seem to move on their own, I can't help but laugh at that.

"Okay, so let's talk about our first official date." I look at him with an eyebrow raised. "Fake date. I meant to say ‘first official fake date'."

"You had me worried there for a second, Owens," I tease. "So what are you thinking for our first official fake date?"

"A full display at Rocco's," he says. "Plan for me to pick you up next Friday night at six. Make sure that you wear something date appropriate. We want people to believe that you actually care what I think."

I slap him on the arm and laugh. "It's not like I've never been on a date before."

"I know, but I've seen how you dress for them and I'm just saying make sure you dress a bit more… umm…nicer."

I gasp and he drops my hand and runs in front of me before I can hit him. I'm still laughing when I notice that we made it full circle back to his house. He's standing by his truck with the door open.

"It's getting dark, I'll drive you home." I smile at him as I climb into the passenger seat. Before he closes the door he leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek. My eyes widen and every nerve ending in my body fires to life. I feel heat creeping up my face. "In case anyone's watching," he whispers in my ear and then closes the door.

My stomach swoops and I can still feel the heat from his lips on my cheek as I watch him walk around the truck. When he climbs in he has a roguish smile on his face and he wiggles his eyebrows at me. I laugh as we pull out of the driveway.

I am having way too much fun with my best friend's brother, and if I'm not careful, I won't want it to stop.