He exhales through his lips. “I saw that you were on Match. I knew you’d never agree to go on a date with me, so I made an account under someone else’s name. I figured if you got to know me, you’d feel the connection between us and then maybe you would agree to give me a chance.”

What? He wants to date me? I hold his gaze but say nothing. This isn’t what I expected. My mind goes blank and I can’t think of anything I’d planned on saying to him.

“Raegan.” He reaches out and takes my hands in his. “I know everything is screwed up between us, and I know I’m to blame for that. I know you don’t trust me, but I want to prove myself to you. I want to show you who I truly am. I want you.”

I look down at the way he’s holding my hands. At the sincere, pleading look in his eyes. Is this really why he created Josh’s profile? I was prepared for a prank. I was prepared for the usual conniving Jaxon. But this?

The heat rises inside me, and I feel the words coming to the surface. I pull my hands back. “I knew it was you all along.”

Jaxon’s hopeful expression falls. “What?”

“I saw fake Josh’s profile on your screen when I used your computer last week. I knew you were trying to trick me, so I decided to go along with it. The messages, the phone calls. I knew it was you the whole time. So your big plan to trick me? It’s not going to work.”

Jaxon puts his hands up. “Wait, Raegan. You’ve got it all wrong. This wasn’t a plan to mess with your head. I didn’t lie about anything we talked about. Everything I told you was the truth.”

I choke out a laugh. “Everything except for your identity. Kind of a big omission, don’t you think?”

“I know, but I only said I was someone else because I didn’t think you’d go out with me if I’d asked you.”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t have. And this is why! You lie and scheme to try to get your way. It’s all you’ve done since I met you. So tell me: What was the real point of all this?” I look up at the ceiling. “Is there a bucket of pig’s blood waiting to drop onto my head? What were you trying to gain?”

“Nothing! This isn’t some prank. I know it wasn’t the best idea, but I didn’t know how else to go about it. I just wanted another chance with you. A clean slate.” He scrubs his hand over his jaw. “I would never try to hurt you, Raegan. I care about you.”