Page 61 of The Kiss Connection

“And how are we going to fake date if you’re not living in the city?”

“We’d have a long-distance relationship?” Her voice hitches.

“I need you at my games, Juniper, you’ll be expected to attend events, charity auctions, all sorts of girlfriend activities, including date nights in public. We can’t do that if you live and work outside of the city.”

She exhales a heavy sigh and glances down at her lap. “That’s the only way this works, Myles, if I get my bookshop. I shouldn’t have to put my dreams on hold so you can pursue yours. That’s not a fair ask.”

She’s right.

“What if we find a cute, cozy place here, in the city, for you to rent for your shop? I’ll cover your rent, but I want a fifteen percent investment in your business.”

“What?” Her head whips around and she climbs off the stool. “Absolutely not.”

“You’re going to pay one year of rent and own a fifteen percent stake forever? You’re a shark. Absolutely not! I wouldn’t even give you five percent.”

“Ten.”

“This isn’t a negotiation, Myles. I just said I wouldn’t even give you five percent and you come back with a higher number. My number is zero.”

“And mine is ten percent. I cover your rent for the bookstore forever, not just for one year, for that ten percent. At some point in the future, if you want to buy me out, you just have to start paying your own rent. And I’ll never take more than the amount of your rent in a month. That ten percent just helps me recover my costs.”

“That’s it? I can kick you out by paying my own rent? I get my ten percent share back?”

“Yes, no strings attached. One year, you and I pretend to have a relationship to restore my image.”

“One year?” Her breath catches in her throat. “I can do that, but there have to be rules.”

“Of course.” I toe the stool, pushing it back out for her to sit on.

She slowly climbs back onto the seat. “First rule, no more fighting with your brother, or anyone else.”

I’ve never been one who got into a lot of fights growing up. Most of my anger and emotions were channeled into hockey, being on the ice. “All right, but I can’t promise there won’t be a fight during a game.”

Juniper nods. “I understand that, but I don’t want to look like an idiot for staying with someone who has anger issues. And if you ever threaten me, I’m out.”

Does she think I’d hurt her? My stomach sinks just seeing the look cross her face. “Of course. I wouldn’t want you to stay with anyone who would ever hurt you.”

“Good. Next rule, no sex. Anything we do has to be for the cameras. Kissing. Handholding. We’re not doing anything when it’s just the two of us alone.”

A wry smile reaches the corner of my lips. I wasn’t sure she’d be on board with kissing. “How do you feel about tongue?”

Juniper rolls her eyes. “Keep it in your mouth, unless I make the first move.”

I like this side of her; it’s more than I’d seen with her when we were on our charity date. “Any other rules?” I ask.

“No sex with anyone else,” Juniper says.

“Obviously. And no dating anyone else. If word gets out that this is fake⁠—”

“That means you too, Mr. Hockey Heartthrob. No sleeping with other girls.”

Does she think I sleep around? I haven’t brought a woman into my apartment yet. In fact, Juniper is the first to step foot in my place. “That’s cute, you thinking I get laid often.”

“You don’t?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.

“My sex life isn’t your concern.”

“It kind of is if we’re fake dating. You can’t be sleeping with other women—or men; it’ll come out.”