Chapter 19

Evie

The sky is filled with stars, a twinkling sea spreading from horizon to horizon. The swirly haze of the Milky Way hovers above us. When I'm finally able to speak, I do so with reverence. "I've never seen anything like this."

"Never in all your hiking adventures?" Adam asks, delighted by my reaction.

I shake my head. "Nothing like this."

Keeping a respectable distance on the swing, Adam points skyward. "Know what that is?"

"Sure, it's the Big Dipper."

"How about that one?"

"Is this a test?"

Adam chuckles. "Sort of. You game?"

"Why not? Okay, that's Orion's Belt."

"I'm impressed."

"Now it's my turn," I say, playfully. I point to a star at the end of a kite-like tail, then move my finger eastward.

"The Little Dipper, and Polaris at the bottom, of course."

"I mean, that star just to the right of Polaris."

Adam squints, looking and concentrating. "I think you have me stumped."

"That's the DanJeff star."

Adam frowns. "I don't think I've ever heard of that."

"Makes sense. My ex and I bought it for our sons after the younger one was born. You know, on one of those star registry sites. At first I thought it was a major racket, selling stars," I say, recalling that time so long ago. "But now I know better. No matter where I am in the world, every time I look at it, I think of them. And I hope the reverse is true for the boys."

Adam is completely focused. On me.

"What are your sons like?" he asks.

A broad grin spreads across my face. "Daniel is a guy's guy. Sports are his life. Jeffrey is more into academics. I'd say they each have a bit of me and their dad in them but also are very different."

"Are they close?"

"Very. That's not to say they didn't fight like cats and dogs when they were little. But they are best buddies."

"They sound like great guys."

"They are. How about you?" I ask, softly.

"I've been lucky. Great family. If you don't count the constant pressure."

"You mean to get married?"

Adam nods. "Or at least to find a committed relationship. Rather than dwindling, they've turned up the heat. It makes getting together as a family very challenging."

I'm facing him, listening intently. He looks pained. I try to imagine the kind of external pressure he's describing. Mine has always come from within.

Adam goes on. "I hate to admit it, but I've avoided going home the last few holidays, claiming conflicts just to avoid it all. Of course, that's not an option with Steph's wedding."

"You mean you haven't been home for Thanksgiving?"

"Not for the last two years."

"Oh."

"Yeah I know, I'm a coward."

"Not at all. I speak as a parent when I tell you, we can be a bit much sometimes but it always stems from love."

"Sure, I know that. To clarify, I did see my parents when they came out here to visit." He pats the swing. "I built this with my dad the last time."

"You're a man of many talents."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you."

I smack his arm, playfully. And giggle.

The last time I giggled, I was fifteen, huddling on the freezing bleachers enamored by the high school quarterback waving at me from the field.

"Are your parents hikers also?" I ask.

"My dad enjoys the outdoors more than my mom but I can't picture either of them dangling from a cliff."

"Then who did you get your adventurous streak from?"

"I'd have to say my Granny Bess."

I laugh.

Then I shiver.

"You're cold."

"A little."

He takes off his sweatshirt and puts it around my shoulders. I don't put up a fight. "So, how about we discuss the big scam we are about to undertake?" I ask.

Adam leans back, the swing rocking us as he does so. "I've given it some thought and realize you may feel indebted to me for nearly pushing me off the cliff."

I sigh.

"Okay, low blow but in all seriousness, those worries are baseless. I'm fine, barely a scratch on me."

I can see there's more coming.

He says, "I will totally understand if you choose not to go along with all this."

"But?"

He grins. A mischievous, delicious grin. "It would be great if you played the role of Ronna, my loving fiancée."

I desperately want to say yes. Honestly, if he asked me to skydive off Half Dome, I'd say yes.

And yet. I can't ignore the low buzz in the back of my mind. "No qualms about lying to your family?"

Adam chews his bottom lip. I wonder how it would feel if it was my ear lobe.

I tell myself to get a grip.

He says, "At the end of the day, you're right. It is a scam. But it's one of those white lies where no one gets hurt. If anything, they'll all be happy. No harm, no foul."

Adam seems sure of himself. While the lying part makes me uncomfortable—significantly so—I understand his predicament. Like he said, no one will get hurt. And I owe him.

I meet his eyes. "I gave you my word. To me, that's sacrosanct."

"Not only beautiful but loyal."

I'm grateful for the dark. He can't see the blush rising to my cheeks.

All I can think of is, he thinks I'm beautiful! I try hard to silence my inner teenager, again.

"You do see the irony, right?" he asks.

"You mean keeping my word about tricking other people."

He shrugs.

"Yep, it does seem funny but there you go."

The corners of his lips lift and he wiggles his brows. "Does that mean you're in?"

"I'm in," I say laughing. Seriously, I've laughed more in the last twenty-four hours than in ages. Even with the FF club. "Just to be clear, I'm not quite the saint you're conjuring up. Who doesn't love a good con?"

This time it's Adam who lets out a hearty guffaw. He sticks out a hand which I shake. "Welcome aboard."