25. Chapter 20

I lean back against the door and take a deep breath. I bury my face in my hands and do a little dance with a squeal.

I just kissed Josh Owens. Oh. My. Josh.

I cover my mouth and laugh as Susie's saying pops into my head. Except this time I don't roll my eyes, because seriously. Oh. My. Josh!

When his lips touched mine my knees turned to jelly. I put my hands on his chest to keep from falling. What I wasn't expecting is how hard his chest is. I mean, yeah, he's an athlete and in amazing shape, but still, who thought muscles could be that defined.

Tonight was probably the best date that I've ever been on. It was comfortable and easy. Josh was attentive and perfect. The way he knew everything about what I would like from dinner to drinks, how he asked before just ordering was perfect.

It was perfect. He was perfect. The kiss was perfect. It was all perfect.

I slap my palm to my forehead. It was perfect and fake.

I push myself off of the door and hang up my coat, purse and put my phone down. The thrill of the entire night is dampened by the reminder of what Josh and I are actually doing. I am helping him improve his reputation—we are not really dating. No matter how real all of that felt tonight.

I sigh and head to the kitchen, pull out a cup, grab my lavender tea bag, and turn on the kettle. Then I head to my room and pull out my favorite pair of comfy pajamas. I hear the kettle boiling and get my tea ready.

While I'm waiting for the tea bag to steep I check my phone.

Fifteen messages?! What the heck?

Susie: OH. MY. GOSH. JOSH!

I laugh out loud, and shake my head, smiling. Great minds.

Susie:You two might want to act a bit more like #Briosh isn't so real!Susie: animated winking gif>Susie: link to Tea Time>

The next ones are just to me.

Susie:Are you sure this is fake?Susie: Those pictures…woah.Susie: Come on Brie, you know you can tell me anything.Susie: You can't avoid me forever laughing emoji>

I can tell her anything, but right now I'm not sure what to say. The biggest emotion I feel is confusion and uncertainty about all of this. I've known Josh forever…is it possible that that's what makes this easy and comfortable?

My palm starts to tingle as I recall his lips there. My chest tightens. I don't know what any of this means and I don't have an answer for her. The smell of lavender from my tea surrounds me as I take a sip. The warmth from it fills me and relaxes the tension in my muscles. It spreads from my belly throughout my entire body.

I look down and see more texts from her but close out that text string, and move on to the ones from my aunt and uncle.

Aunt Marie:You two look absolutely adorable together.Aunt Marie: link to Tea Time>

A smile crawls over my face at my aunt's words, but I roll by them in my mind and move on to the one from Uncle Rich.

Uncle Rich:I was famous at the club tonight! You and Josh were the topic of conversation.

Uncle Rich is an active member of the Rotary Club in Pleasant Hollow. He's taught me so much about why community is important and that taking care of each other is why we are here. I feel heat creep up my face knowing that Josh and I are the topic of everyone's conversation, not just at Rocco's, but for the entire town.

I pull up Josh's name and send him some texts about everyone texting me. He responds immediately, and my body tingles from head to toe. My face is stretched from ear to ear with a smile as I read his messages and laugh.

This entire situation is crazy. I shake my head and chuckle.

I feel an overwhelming urge to ask him if he felt the same way I did tonight. Was this the best date he's ever had? Did it feel perfect to him? What about that kiss? I type the words and erase them multiple times before deciding not to send. I'm not ready to have answers to the questions. What if he says no? My stomach drops at the thought.

Brie, this is just a fake arrangement. You're helping him. That's all this is. Remember that.

These thoughts make my body feel leaden and dampen the elation that I felt the entire night. I pick up my cup from the table and take the last sip of tea. The warmth once again fills me but doesn't quite comfort me. I stare at the text string and see three dots before getting a text.

Josh: Good night, Brie.

A burst of happiness springs out from my heart and a lightness fills me, almost replacing the heaviness. I smile.

Me: Good night, Josh.

I stare at the screen a bit longer, the smile still in place, before I put my phone down.

I'm not sure what's happening here. But I know that I can't figure it all out tonight. My logical side kicks in and I remind myself to take it all at face value. It's just like math.

Yeah. That's right. I'm just going to keep telling myself that this is just an arrangement that Josh and I made. There isn't anything else to look at. If I keep it simple, then nothing can get confusing, right?

Right?

I put my empty cup into the sink, and head to bed. I climb in, get comfy and grab my book off the nightstand. When I realize I've read three entire pages and have no clue what they actually said, I let out a huff and put the book down before turning off the light.

I fluff my pillow and pull the covers over me. When I close my eyes, the kiss between Josh and I replays in my mind. I groan, pick up my pillow and cover my face. Falling asleep tonight is not going to be easy. I put my pillow back under my head and start counting backwards from 100. I get through four or five hundred before I finally fall asleep.

The last thing I remember is Josh as he waved at me before he got in his truck, and a small smile crawls upon my lips.

My phone keeps buzzing but I haven't checked any messages yet. I'm determined to keep my life normal for as long as I can and just go get a cup of coffee. It's a brisk morning but not too cold so I layer up a bit and head on over to Thanks-A-Latte.

The bell announces my arrival and everyone in the entire place stops what they're doing and turns to look at me. I don't know that I will ever get used to this attention, but I'm not going to act like I'm doing something wrong. I put on the biggest smile and wave at all of them.

"How is everyone today?" I ask loudly. The surprise on most people's faces makes me chuckle. I get some smiles, a few nods and even a few responses before everyone goes back to chatting amongst each other. I can still hear that the topic of conversation is "Briosh" and I shake my head.

At some point this has to die down, right?

"Hey, Brie," Rachel greets me with a knowing smile on her lips and I feel my face heat. Thankfully she makes ordering easy. "Your usual?"

"Hi, Rachel. Yes, Please." She yells the order back before asking me how my date went.

I laugh at her. "We both know that Tea Time gave you a complete scoop." She shrugs and has the decency to look slightly abashed.

"Can't blame me for wanting to know from you." I shake my head and grab my drink.

"Thanks, Rachel. Have a great day."

"Have a great day, everyone." I wave as I walk backwards out the door. I hold the door open for someone coming in, and then head back home.

I laugh to myself as I think about how much fun everyone is having with this. It's one of the strangest things I've ever experienced, and yet I can't deny that I am having just as much fun as them. At first I was embarrassed by the attention, but now it's like a game. I grew up with these people, they know me and I know them. This is just what Pleasant Hollow does when something "exciting" is happening.

I don't know if I would call me or Josh exciting, and I'm not sure Briosh is exciting, but then again I'm just going to enjoy the—

"Brie." I smile at Josh's voice. I look up and see him jogging toward me. I can't help but admire him as my eyes drift over the solid planes of his muscles. When I finally meet the gleam in his gaze, I find my face heating. He stops in front of me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning."

The gruffiness of his voice sends little shivers down my spine. "Good morning. Aren't you supposed to be doing your final runthrough?"

"Done already. Wanted to get some coffee so I figured I'd go for a quick jog and then head back to get my stuff together."

"Game is at one tomorrow, right?" My racing heart is not getting the message that my brain is trying to relay a reminder about this all being for show.

"Yeah, we're playing the Saints." The crooked smile he flashes me is so adorable that I fear I will never get my heart to slow down.

"Well, go get your coffee, and I'll talk to you later."

"I'll call you." He kisses my cheek again before continuing his journey to Thanks-A-Latte. "You'll be watching right?"

I turn around continuing to walk backwards. "Wouldn't miss it." He puts his hand over his heart and winks at me.

This is what being a candle must feel like because I am literally melting from the heat that is engulfing me. It takes everything in me to turn back around, move my feet and head back home. What I actually want to do is follow Josh like a puppy. I shake my head at my thoughts and keep walking. Then suddenly my feet just stop.

Every part of my being wants to spend time with him. There's no reason we can't walk back together. In fact, doesn't it look more weird if we walk separately? Yes, it does. Walking together will definitely look better. Just before I turn around I hear my name.

"Wait up, I'll walk with you." I turn to watch him and can't keep the smile from breaking free across my face. The butterflies in my stomach take flight and I fly a little bit with them.

I ignore the nagging voice that sounds a bit like Susie teasing me about falling for her brother. There is no falling going on—at least that's what I'm going to continue telling myself. I smile at him and slip my arm through his when he catches up to me.

We have to make sure that the audience gets a good performance. My heart is pounding, but only because there is always someone watching. Not the fact that I'm touching Josh and all I can think about is that kiss.

Yeah. Definitely not about that at all.