A Little Christmas Jingle by Michele Dunaway Page B

to wipe her lips, she recalled the sensation of their kiss. She pulled her fingers away.
It’s for the animals,
she scolded herself. “So what events?”
    He visibly relaxed. “Mainly my stepsister’s wedding and all the family stuff surrounding it. And the Pet Rescue Ball. If it’s anything like the calendar ball, I want a wingman to run interference.” He shuddered, the memory clearly disturbing.
    â€œThere are a few other things, too, but we can discuss those later. Anyway, I’ll help you with your shelter and your legal things, if you keep my meddling mother and every other woman who sees me as an eligible boy toy at bay.”
    â€œSo I’m to be your girlfriend.” She rolled the word over her tongue, trying it out.
    â€œTo everyone else, yes. Only we’ll know the truth. You’ve already seen me in a tux and as we’ve already shared a kiss, it shouldn’t be too awkward to pretend to like me or share a few more kisses, right?”
    â€œI … uh …” One kiss had been earthshaking.
    He bulldozed ahead. “I’ll tell my mother I have my plus one when I call her tomorrow. That is, if we have a deal. Do we? Are you in?”
    Once again, like with the tour, he’d put her between a rock and a hard place. But she needed help. She needed a miracle to save her shelter. Jack, Mr. Animal Task Force, could be exactly what she needed.
    â€œBefore I say yes …” Kat began.
    â€œAsk away.”
    â€œYou’re a smart, intelligent and, honestly, a hot guy.”
    â€œHot, huh?”
    â€œI’m sure your stalkers have massaged your ego enough. So why me?”
    â€œBecause I like you.” Words every woman wanted to hear, until they were followed with, “But I’m not looking for happily ever after. My job comes first. If my mother understood that, I wouldn’t be in this situation. She’s already got my wedding date set. A Jane Moorhead. Went to Stanford.”
    Kat ate more pizza as each fell to his and her thoughts. Finally Kat spoke. “You do realize that in all those Hallmark movies the fake couple always falls in love.”
    Jack didn’t appear too concerned. “Ah, the magic of Hollywood.” He tilted his head, that blue-eyed gaze intense as he studied her. “You certainly have the beauty part down.”
    A zing ricocheted through her “You think I’m beautiful?”
    â€œOf course you are.” He seemed amused by her surprise. “My family will love you.”
    The real reason for the farce. Which was a shame. For she found Jack very attractive as well. Liked how his lips felt on hers. Wondered how much his touch might ignite. But cold-bloodedly discussing fake dating with Mr. Hot and Sexy, albeit with flirting, just proved that once again she’d found Mr. Wrong. The thought made her a little sad, and she brushed it aside.
    â€œI’d like us to be friends,” Jack confirmed. “We can make that happen if we go into this arrangement with our eyes open. I like you. It’s a simple transaction. I help you and you keep my family off my back.”
    â€œFor how long?”
    He looked up, as if the stucco ceiling would have the answer. “How about until right after New Year’s? We’ll be seeing each other that long anyway because of Jingle. Even though our contact will continue, New Year’s Eve should do it.”
    December 31. The one holiday she hated. With all her friends married, Kat was always odd man out. She put another piece of pizza on her plate but made no move to take a bite. She wiped her hand on a napkin. “So, would you be willing to attend things with me? If I needed you?”
    Jack tilted his head, considered. “Why not? My mom would think it strange if I didn’t.”
    Kat assessed one of the most beautiful men she’d ever seen. As long as she kept her emotions in check, she could revive Jack’s missing