Chapter Fifteen

Kyle

Kyle took a deep breath as soon as they entered the nursery, hoping the smell of green things growing would relax the knot in his shoulders. Why had he told Faith the truth about talking to girls? What was she thinking out there, staring out at the trees? She’d looked so torn, but hopeful, and sad, too. What did he say?

Admitting the dyslexia was the only thing he could think of to change the subject. Way to go, jerk—making her feel guilty for your mistake.

“This place is awesome!” Faith breezed past him, heading straight for the flowers. She didn’t look upset anymore, wearing a bright smile. She glided toward the rows of annuals. “These pink ones are so pretty!”

He came alongside her, relieved he hadn’t done any lasting damage. “Those are vinca. I’m planning to get some—they bloom early and keep going until late fall. Something an ex-governor’s wife might like, right?”

“Definitely.” She bounced over to the next table, running her fingers along a gray-green leaf. The little plant swayed at her touch. “What’s this?”

“Dusty miller. Good ground cover. It can get out of control, but you have a good lawn guy. He’ll make sure it behaves.”

She laughed behind her hand. She always did that, like his jokes were a surprise, and it put a smile back on his face. Faith found joy in the simplest things. She seemed a little fragile to him, but that could be the hurt from the last few days. Maybe if he could make her laugh enough she’d forget about Cameron all together.

He followed her up the aisle, pointing out plants that would go well in their backyard, taking care to listen when she had a doubt. If she didn’t approve of it, her mom probably wouldn’t, either.

“I like this one,” Faith murmured. Her fingers skimmed the tiny pink flowers dotting the plant’s thin branches.

Kyle reached out and brushed his hand along hers as he grasped a section of leaves. Faith stiffened for a second, but didn’t move her hand. He was standing behind her, and something made him take a step forward so that his chest was almost touching her back. His knees trembled a little, but his voice was level when he said, “Azalea. They’re beautiful, and while they look delicate, they’re strong if they’re taken care of the right way. They’re perfect for you.”

She held very still. “You think?”

He swallowed hard. Praying she didn’t notice that his hand was shaking now, too, he brushed his lips against her ear, saying. “Absolutely.”

“Are we still talking about plants?”

There was something coy to her tone, and it unnerved him, which was stupid, since he knew she could flirt. “I’m not sure.”

She ducked out from under his arm, smiling. “Trouble talking to girls, he says. Uh-huh. Sure.”

Kyle flushed and took a step back. “We’re still, uh, buying the azaleas, right?”

“Yep.”

She wandered up another aisle, and he let out a slow breath. She’d never believe him if he told her the truth, would she? He’d told her he wasn’t good at talking to girls and she didn’t believe it. How would she react if she knew the truth about the “real” Kyle Sawyer?

Probably twirl over and kick him in the nuts.

Besides, if the plan with Cameron was going to work, she didn’t need to know any more than she already did. It was enough that he had to act a part. He couldn’t be sure she’d be able to keep it up if she knew.

“I found a couple more!” Faith called. “Will you come see if they’ll work?”

He forced himself to loosen up and let the swagger creep back in. “On my way.”

“That’s a lot of plants,” Faith said, staring at the pots and buckets littering the backyard.

“It’s less than you think.” Kyle dragged the six azaleas over to the shady part of the yard. He’d see to it these lived, if nothing else did. There wasn’t much he could do to impress Faith, but if this did, he’d work for it.

“Oh, I’m sure. You made a pretty big pile of ripped out bushes earlier.” She twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

What would her hair feel like against his fingers? He knew her hair smelled like citrus, but he wouldn’t mind running his fingers through it to see if it was as silky as it looked. And she was warm, too. When he stood behind her at the store, he could feel her body heat. And those legs…

Oh, shit.

No, no, no—this could not happen. She was a pretty girl, that’s all. Faith had too many good things ahead of her without him in the picture. And wasn’t that getting ahead of himself? She’d never want someone like him. She deserved better than a liar who was too scared to admit what scared him.

“You in there?” she asked, startling him. He had the feeling she’d kept talking, and he hadn’t heard a word.

“Um, yeah. Sorry, I was planning out where to put everything.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Yeah—and that’s what I was asking. You okay?”

“Fine.” The word came out a lot rougher than he intended, and Faith stepped back like he’d taken a swing at her.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “Guess I’ll leave you to it.”

She turned and went inside, casting a quizzical look over her shoulder. Kyle leaned against the big tree and banged the back of his head against the bark He was messing this up, and it wasn’t even a real thing. Why did she wind him up so much? He’d been paid to do a job, not get involved with the girl who lived here.

Cursing under his breath, he starting laying out the rest of the garden.