The Inn on Harmony Island (Sweet Tea and a Southern Gentleman #1)(14)

My mind was still trying to play catch up, and something that sounded like a giggle escaped before I clamped my hand over my mouth and stared, mortified, at him.

He quirked an eyebrow, smiled, and continued chewing the gum I could see rolling around his extremely white teeth.

Thankfully, I composed myself enough to remember why he was here and what I was going to ask him to do. “Thank you for meeting with me. I’m not sure how much Charity told you—”

“Is this a business meeting?” Titan interrupted me.

I startled and stared up at him. “Um, what?”

He nodded toward my fingers, which were threaded through each other and both of my hands were resting on the table in front of me.

“It’s not a business meeting,” I said, pulling my hands apart and letting one fall on my lap.

He wrinkled his nose. “You just look like you’re about to ask me for money or something.” He leaned forward. “Which I don’t do anymore.”

I waved away his comment. “I’m not looking for money.” I took in a deep breath, although asking for a loan seemed infinitely less embarrassing than asking him to pretend to date me. “Did Charity say that I needed money?” I asked, panic taking over me.

He let out a laugh. It rumbled so loud that it startled the other coffee shop patrons. My cheeks burned, but I forced a smile as well. It was only a matter of time before someone realized that I was sitting with Titan Strom, linebacker for the New York Panthers. Hopefully, they would get nosy and start taking pictures. Rumors would spread, and I would have bought myself a few weeks to let the stories fly.

He shook his head once his laughter died down. “Nah, she didn’t say that.” He leaned forward and punched my shoulder. “I’m just kidding. I know why I’m here,” he said as he leaned back once more, his left leg dangling out from under the table.

Relief flooded my body. I was certain that my cheeks were pink, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from my goal. I needed a fake boyfriend.

“So, you’re okay going along with this?”

He studied me for a moment before he shrugged. “What will I get out of it?”

His gaze flicked down to my mouth, and in that moment, I realized I’d started chewing on my lower lip without realizing it. A response to stress that I’d picked up as a kid. I stopped and straightened, clearing my throat. “Er—well, what do you want?” I winced as I anticipated his response.

It probably wasn’t wise for me to leave the question so open ended. I’d read some articles recently about Titan, the linebacker player. But with one look at me, he had to know I wasn’t the kind of girl that participated in that.

I was far from the perfect blonde cheerleader that he normally dated.

Then I felt stupid. It didn’t matter if I wasn’t his type. We were here for one purpose and one purpose only—to save my career while I went to deal with my grandmother’s estate.

That was all.

“I could plan your future wedding,” I offered before he could respond.

He flicked his gaze over at me, his lips tipping up into a smile. “Ain’t no woman in this world going to tie this stallion down,” he said as he drummed his hands on the table.

Not sure how to respond, I just pinched my lips together and nodded. I had no money—at least not enough to tempt him. If he didn’t want my wedding services, what did he want?

He folded his arms across his chest and studied me, like he was sizing me up. I offered him a weak smile, not sure what he was going to say.

Suddenly he cleared his throat, glanced around, and leaned in. “I need a favor.”

My eyes widened. Here we go. This was the moment I’d been dreading. “Okay,” I whispered.

He studied me. “I need a date to my sister’s wedding.”

I startled. Why was he asking me when he could ask anyone in the world? “Um, okay.”

He nodded toward me. “You’re perfect. You’re not going to fall in love with me.” Then he stopped and leaned closer. “You’re not going to fall in love with me, right?”

My cheeks flushed as embarrassment coursed through me. Love was the last thing on my mind. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not interested in…” I let my words draw out but then waved them away. It was just never going to happen. I was determined to die a single woman, alone and free from heartbreak.

He chuckled as he leaned back. “Which is what I’m looking for. The last thing I need is for some girl to agree to be my fake girlfriend and then sabotage my plans.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Plans?”

It was his turn to blush. He cleared his throat as he tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Yeah.” He sighed. “Long story, but my ex will be at the wedding.”

I suddenly had flashbacks of the Carson wedding where the groom’s ex showed up with his secret family. The amount of expensive champagne that was thrown that night would make anyone cry.

Of course, it had been my first solo job as a wedding planner, and I’d almost died of embarrassment. Patricia had not been happy, and I thought she would fire me on the spot. But she didn’t. Who knew that a year later I’d be here, jobless?

“Why is your sister inviting your ex to her wedding?”

Titan sighed. “It’s her best friend. She’ll be the maid of honor, and I’m the best man.”