Aiden walked into the kitchen and reached for a piece of bacon. Grams turned around so fast, he thought maybe she’d fall over. “Don’t you dare.” She lightly slapped his hand back. “You wait until Felicity gets down here.”

He gave her an innocent look. “I was just making sure they turned out okay. Might be embarrassing for you if the bacon is too soggy or something.”

Grams scoffed at him, but he saw the hint of a smile tugging on her lips. “You just sit over there. I’m making pancakes.”

“I’ll grab the eggs.”

“Thank you.”

Aiden opened the refrigerator and pulled out the plastic bucket that held the eggs. Only a few left. He’d have to pay the boy up the road to bring a few more.

Grams gave him a sideways glance. “What has you all chipper this morning?”

“Chipper?”

“You were humming.”

He was? He hadn’t noticed. But this was the perfect opportunity to unfold his plan. “No reason. Just had a great evening last night.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You did?”

He allowed a small smile to form on his face. “Felicity and I talked.”

“And?”

Aiden paused to draw out the suspense. “We’re getting back together.”

He expected Grams to get excited but instead, she just said, “About time.”

A motion from the other room caught his attention and he turned to see Felicity enter the room. “And here she is now. Good morning, sweetie.” He walked to her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Surprise flashed across Felicity’s face before she smoothed it out. “Good morning.”

Why was she shocked? They’d talked about this. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. She stiffened, but when he didn’t move, she forced a smile. “Can I help with anything, Phoebe?”

Grams shot them a look. “If you and Aiden want to set the table, that would be good.”

“Sure thing.” Felicity moved out of his grasp and opened the cupboard.

He held out his hand for the plates. When they were in the dining room, he leaned toward her. “I thought you were on board with this.”

“Sorry. I’m just nervous she’ll find out.”

“It will be fine if you just act natural.”

“I’ve never been comfortable with lying. You know that.”

The plates thunked as he set them down a little too forcefully. He cringed. He hadn’t meant to do that. “Don’t think of it as lying.”

She narrowed her eyes at him and folded her arms. “Then what is it?”

He paused, trying to come up with a comeback. He said the first thing that popped into his head. “Acting.”

She scoffed and left the room. He followed her. Not a great idea to let Grams see them arguing. He put on a wide grin while they got out the silverware and napkins.

In the dining room, she rolled her eyes. “Wipe that ridiculous smile off your face. You look silly.”

He sobered. “Look, if this was a bad idea—”

Grams entered the room with the plate of bacon. “I can’t tell you how happy I am you two realized you were right for each other.” She set the plate down and gave Felicity a hug. “You belong in the family.”

“Thanks, Grams.”

A knock sounded and his grandmother went to answer the door. Felicity turned to him. “I feel guilty already.”

“Acting. That’s it. And don’t worry about Grams. She’s resilient. She’ll bounce back.”

Brittany entered with Grams on her heels. “What’s the good news your grandmother is talking about?” Brittany hiked her shoulder bag up.

Aiden reached out and pulled Felicity to his side. “Felicity and I stayed up late talking last night. We’ve decided to get back together.”

Brittany froze, her smile looking like it might crack her face. “Oh?”

“Yes. We realized we still love each other.”

“Well, that’s...great.” Brittany rushed over to him and gave him a hug. He wondered if she were making one last ditch effort to snag him, since it took a long time for her to let go. Then she turned to Felicity. “Let me be the first to congratulate you.”

“Thanks,” Felicity said into Brittany’s shoulder as she was accosted.

“Have you eaten, dear?” Grams asked. “We have pancakes on the griddle, and I think they’re about done.”

“Oh, I can’t eat that. I only eat organic whole foods. But thank you.”

Grams looked at her sideways. “You don’t eat pancakes?”

“No. I’m watching my carb intake.”

Grams shook her head slightly and muttered under her breath. “I watch mine too. I watch it go down my throat.”

Brittany didn’t seem to hear her.

Grams motioned to the table. “Why don’t you sit down and join us anyway. We can talk.”

“Okay.” Brittany pulled out a chair and sat, putting her bag on the seat next to her.

“I’ll help you get the pancakes, Grams.” Felicity left the room with her.

Aiden slid out a chair and joined Brittany at the table. “So.” He tried to think of something to say that couldn’t be taken for interest in her. “Sleep well last night?”

“Oh, yes. The beds here are super comfortable. You did an amazing job with this place.”

The curtains blew as a morning breeze came in the window. It was promising to be a beautiful day outside. Aiden picked up his napkin and put it in his lap.

Brittany tapped the table with a finger. “You and Felicity, then. Wow. I thought she’d never forgive you for what you did.”

He bristled. It wasn’t all his fault. She was the one who left without talking to him. “Yeah, well, she did.”

“I guess a billion dollars is pretty good incentive.” Brittany looked down at her fingernails.

Aiden’s mouth fell open. But before he could say anything, Felicity came back in the room with a container of syrup and some butter. Grams followed her with the plate of pancakes. “You’ll have to eat quickly. There’s not a lot of time.”

Felicity sat next to him and then leaned closer. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

He realized his mouth still hang open and he snapped it shut. Their lie accomplished what he wanted. Brittany would leave him alone now. No need to tell Felicity what the spoiled brat had said. “Nothing.”

They ate breakfast while Brittany talked about how her hair stylist had moved away and what a strain it had been on her to find someone good enough to do her hair, and what a tragedy it was. Aiden stopped listening when she started talking about her purse. Who even cared what animal skin it was made out of? It was a relief when he could get up and take the plates to the kitchen.

Grams came in after him. “Have a good trip.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and whispered, “And watch out for that girl. She’s trouble.”

“I’ve got it under control.”

She looked at him as if she saw right through him. “Uh-huh.”

For a split second, he worried Grams knew he was lying about getting back together with Felicity, but he shook off the feeling. That was absurd. How could she know?

She patted his arm. “Drive safe.”

The girls came into the kitchen, carrying the rest of the breakfast items. Aiden motioned toward the garage. “We can take my car.”

Brittany squealed and made a lot of fuss when she saw his Aston Martin. “I love this silver color. And the seats look so buttery soft.”

He opened the door for her and moved the passenger seat forward. He tried to ignore the way she pressed her breasts up against his arm. It couldn’t have been by accident. “Climb in.”

“What, in the back?” Brittany stared at him for a second before realizing he was serious. “Oh. Okay. I think I can squeeze in.”

His car did have rear seats, but the leg room was pretty much nonexistent. He kind of felt bad for her. A little. After she was in, he tossed their bags on the seat next to her then clicked the lever and righted the front seat so Felicity could sit.

When they were on the road, Brittany talked non-stop. Aiden tuned her out again, which probably was a bad idea given that they were on this outing because he’d been nodding and not paying attention to her. He just couldn’t stand listening to more about her nails or shoes, or the many other pointless things she rambled on about.

Was it horrible he was hoping she might get tired of trying to chase him now that he was faking a relationship with Felicity, and go home?

***

FELICITY STOOD AT THE mouth of the cave, her excitement barely contained. The sight was breathtaking. A crystal river ran out of the opening, trickling down a rocky bed. The hike with the tour guide up to the mouth of the cave had been exhilarating, and Felicity’s muscles burned. Their group was small, only ten people, and their guide was energetic. The jungle here was lush and even more overgrown than where they’d been yesterday. They’d crossed three rivers to get there, so stepping into the water now was not a big deal. She adjusted her helmet and turned on the light like the guide instructed.

Brittany looked at the water with a frown on her face. “More water? The pamphlet didn’t say we’d have to get this wet.”

Aiden gave her an annoyed look. “That’s why we brought a change of clothes. We’ll be swimming for a bit.”

Felicity turned so she didn’t have to see the look of disdain on Brittany’s face. She’d been the one to buy the tickets. Why was she complaining?

“Okay, but if my hair frizzes, I’m going to ask for my money back.”

Oh, brother. If Felicity had to hear more about Brittany’s hair, she would stab herself with a stick. She took a step and hit a rock, knocking her off balance. Aiden reached out and caught her. “You okay?”

So far, she’d managed to walk far enough away from him to avoid having to hold hands. But now, with his muscular arms around her, her body reacted. Her heart pounded and zaps of electricity coursed through her. It seemed stronger than even this morning. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice more breathless than she had wanted.

He took her hand. “Come on. I’ll help you keep your footing. You’re going to love this cave.”

“Who’s going to hold my hand?” Brittany said as she picked her way over the rocks. Aiden ignored the comment and Felicity held in a smile. At least pretending they were back together was keeping Brittany from fawning all over him. That was a plus.

“The ancient Mayan people believed the gods’ domain was under the earth,” the guide said. “When their crops didn’t grow or they suffered from drought, they would make their way down here to offer up human sacrifices to their gods. But don’t worry. We won’t be offering up anyone today.” He chuckled at his own joke. “Follow me, please. We’ll need to climb up on the rocks once we get inside.”

Anticipation coursed through Felicity as they swam into the cave. Her eyes adjusted to the dim lights from their headlamps. The walls of the cave seemed to glow from the sliver of sunlight creeping in. Aiden climbed out of the water onto the rocks then held out his hand to help her up. The rocks were slippery and, once again, he steadied her by wrapping his arms around her.

She peered up at his eyes, dimly lit by the light on her helmet. His eyelashes were sticking together, tiny drops of water on them. His lips curled up into a smile. “What are you thinking? Are you wishing we were alone?”

Words failed to come to her mind as she stared at him. Butterflies filled her stomach and she couldn’t remember what he’d asked. Was that his heart pounding? Or was that loud noise in her ears the sound of her own heart?

“Get a room,” Brittany said as she brushed past them.

Aiden chuckled and leaned in closer. “I think our plan is succeeding.”

His breath tickled her ear. Felicity pulled back from him, her brain slowly starting to work again. “Sure. Yes.”

Well, almost working again. She forced a smile. “You’re a genius.”

Aiden brushed his lips across her cheek and she shivered. “Come on. We don’t want to be left behind.” He took her hand and led her into the darkness.