Surprisingly Us (Unexpectedly in Love, #4)

by Erin Hawkins

Wait a minute…I know those eyes. They’re as blue as the waters of Lake George that I used to swim in as a kid. And the way that nose wrinkles when she’s determinedly set her mind on something. That’s when it hits me. The woman staring me down like she’s got a bone to pick is none other than Colette Davenport.

“You’re losing me, Princess.” Her gaze darts back to mine. “Princess?” “New nickname since you didn’t like the old one.” She scoffs. “I don’t like that one either.” But I love the way her cheeks pinken when I call her princess, so I’m going to keep calling her it.

If I’m understanding this correctly, Hannah has sent Lettie to keep an eye on me. To prevent me from hooking up with anyone at the wedding. Lettie is here to cock-block me. Trouble is, she’s the prettiest cock-blocker I’ve ever seen.

That lower-belly flutter is back and I’m suddenly understanding the phrase ‘panty-dropping smile.’ Rhys has one and the purpose is clear. “And here I thought you were being nice.” “I’m always nice, Princess, especially to you.”

“I’m Rhys,” and because I’m trying things out, “I’m Lettie’s boyfriend.” Lettie’s mouth drops open, but it’s a few seconds later when she finds the words. “No, Mrs. Donahue, he’s not.” “Not yet, but I’m working on it.” I toss a wink in Mrs. Donahue’s direction.

“Come on, Lettie,” I cajole, giving her my best smile, “will you do me the honor of being my fake girlfriend?”

A sharp pain pierces my sternum and radiates through my chest. Beneath Lettie’s palm, my heart thumps wildly. Erratically. What the fuck is happening to me?

“I didn’t like seeing his hands on you. No boyfriend would want to see that.” “Not even a fake one?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood. His jaw stays set like it was cast in stone. “Besides, that was nothing. When we’re dancing, his hands are all over me.” I mean for it to be comforting. To prove that Sebastian and I are comfortable with each other from being in one another’s personal space all the time, but as Rhys’s gaze narrows, and his eyes darken, I realize that he didn’t find my comment reassuring at all. Oops. A deep rumble escapes from Rhys’s throat. Wait. Was that…a growl? Oh my god. It was. Rhys just growled. I’ll have to tell Chloe and the other ladies.

“What do I taste like, Princess?” he asks. “Mint. Spice. A fever dream I don’t want to wake up from.” Did he slip me some truth serum or am I just that bad at not being completely transparent? His mouth lifts at the corner. “That’s very specific.” “What about me? What do I taste like?” I ask. It’s purely research. I’ll need to know if my breath is bad or if there’s anything I can improve on for future kisses. Not necessarily with Rhys, because that’s not what I should be focusing on, but at this moment I’m having a hard time imagining kissing anyone else. “Like you’re mine.”

I’m a few bites in when I notice something. “This tastes different.” “Different how?” Rhys asks, lips twitching. “The candy pieces are…better. Are these,” I examine a candy-coated peanut butter piece, “real Reese’s Pieces?” “Maybe.” “And there aren’t any raisins. Did you pick them out?” I ask. He shrugs. “I made it.” “You made it?” I repeat, not fully understanding. “Like you bought all the ingredients and put it together?” “Yeah.” He nods. “For me?” It’s obvious, yet I’m still in shock. It’s a small thing, but I’m realizing that’s the part of fake-dating Rhys I’m starting to enjoy the most. The little things he does. Picking me up from practice, planning dates that work around my schedule, and now, this sexy man in his designer suit is making me custom trail mix so I don’t get hangry after a long day of practice.

“You’re the best fake boyfriend in the entire world.”

I’d been trying to play it cool, but when she asked me what she tasted like, I blurted out the first thing I could think of. Mine. But that’s not right. What the fuck does mine even taste like? Besides, she’s not really mine. But fuck, after that kiss, I wanted her to be. I wanted to find any excuse to seal my mouth to hers again.

“Isn’t that what you’re doing? Sacrificing the life you were living in order to be president of your parents’ foundation?” “I guess you could say that.” But even as the words pass my lips, I know it’s not true. Spending time with Lettie doesn’t make me feel like I’m sacrificing anything. It feels like I’m being given a gift.

Your hands are absolute magic.” I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “That feels good.” I press my thumbs into the ball of her foot and she moans. I rub circles around her ankle and she sighs again. “Hmm. You’re really good at this. It’s almost like you’ve had practice.” “I asked your trainer to give me a few pointers,” I admit. Her eyes fly open. “What?” “Just the basics. I’m not going to be a professional masseuse, but I thought it would be good to know how to make you feel good.”

“Just so we’re clear, you’re offering to anonymously match donations at the fundraiser up to ten million dollars?” “Yeah.” Mo lifts his chin toward me so I can scratch under it. “But you’re already donating five million, so you’re going to match your own donation?” I smile at Ramsey’s befuddled look. “I never said it had to make sense.”

Am I excited to be babysitting two infants? No. But I would have come even if Lettie had told me we were getting our nose hairs plucked out. That’s how badly I want to spend time with her.

“What are you doing?” I ask. “They forgot to hold the mushrooms in your Moo Goo Gai Pan so I’m picking them out.” “You don’t have to do that. I can eat around them.” “I got you, Princess.” He winks and that simple flash of his eyelashes sends a shockwave through my body. I feel it deep. All the way down in my bone marrow. This right here. Rhys being this sweet, thoughtful man, is going to be trouble.

“For such a bad boy, you’re actually quite a softie, Rhys Spencer.”

Kissing Lettie is like a drug. She gives me the highest high; it’s exhilarating, but I’m terrified that I’m addicted now. And dreading the withdrawals when this is over. Because once she comes to her senses, this will be over.

Maybe I’m still recovering from kissing Lettie, but watching Hunter and Sophie together, their open affection and adoration has me feeling envious.

Lettie: The old Lettie can’t text right now. Rhys: Why? Lettie: Because she’s too turned on

He’s sexy and hot and all the other adjectives that come to mind to describe a sinfully attractive man, but as much as I’m attracted to Rhys physically, I also know his heart.

“As your mom, I wondered if I should be concerned about his past relationships, or lack thereof, and how quickly you’re moving, but then I saw a photo of you two from the Leg-Up community day and it all made sense.” My eyes snap to her face. “What made sense?” “How much Rhys adores you. He looks at you like you’re his whole world, and you appear to be as in love with him as he is with you.” Her words stun me into silence.

Colette: You made your own cat meme. And it did make me smile, so mission complete. Rhys: I love your smile. Send me a pic. I snap a selfie with me smiling, then send it to him. Rhys: I almost forgot how beautiful my fiancée is Colette: I’ve been gone for nine hours Rhys: I miss you when you’re gone for nine minutes

“It’s a nice touch. Really committing to the role of doting fiancé by putting my initial around your neck.” She smiles and it’s so fucking bright, I know I’ll be able to face anything as long as she keeps looking at me like that. “It’s very Taylor Swift of you.” Should I tell her that I’ll wear it even when we’re done pretending because she owns me now? And that I’m hers, even if I don’t deserve for her to be mine.

You’re the most dedicated person I’ve ever met, and I want to give you a space to be spoiled and cared for. You’re not a princess, Lettie, you’re my princess. Maybe it was a joke at first, but for me the nickname is my way of telling you that it’s okay to relax and let me be there for you.” He swallows hard, his eyes searching mine. “It’s a way of letting you know I’ve got you, just like you’ve got me.”

She hops off the bar stool and wraps her arms around my neck before pressing a kiss to my lips. My hands slip around her waist, bringing her into me until her body is aligned with mine. Fuck. I could get used to this. I already am.

“I can’t fuck you, Lettie, because that’s not what it would be. I’ve been losing my mind trying to understand what this is. Trying to push my feelings for you away. Because that’s what I have. Feelings. It’s overwhelming and terrifying. And when you said you didn’t need your first time to be special, I realized that’s all I wanted. For it to be special. For you. With me.”

“Thank you,” she whispers against my neck. “For everything.” She doesn’t owe me gratitude. She did all the hard work, but I greedily accept her words anyway. “What did your mom say? And Hannah? Did she lose her mind when you told her?” “I haven’t told them yet. I came straight to see you.” It’s a good thing her head is still tucked into my neck, so she can’t see my eyes turn glassy. She found out the biggest news of her career, and she came straight to see me. What is this woman doing to me? I quickly realize I’d do the same with her. I clear my throat, and once I know my emotions are at bay, I set her on her feet and pull back to look her in the eyes.

Her eyes drop to my hand. It’s shaking. “Rhys, are you okay?” she asks. Of course she’s checking on me. She’s sitting here in a hospital bed with a concussion and she’s worried about me? I really don’t deserve her, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving to her that I’m the man she needs.