She didn’t poke at him about that. She didn’t want that photo posted either. It showed a little too much, things she didn’t want anyone else to see. Especially not their families. Because they’d know.

What exactly she was worried they’d know, Catie didn’t want to face.

Danny’s phone pinged.

Looking down, he said, “Limo’s here” and squeezed her waist.

It was only then that she realized she’d stayed tucked up next to him. It had felt… natural.

Cheeks burning, she pulled away at last. He dropped his arm but then held it out, crooked at the elbow, his smile roguish. “My lady.”

A smile cracked her lips as she accepted the offer. “I hope the theater is warm, otherwise I’m going to freeze.” She’d decided not to take her coat since they were planning to go from the apartment to the car to the red carpet at the theater to inside, then back again the same way. If there was an after-party and they decided to attend, they didn’t plan to walk.

“I shall be gallant and sacrifice my poor, shivering body and offer you my jacket,” Danny said as they stepped out the door.

“Then I’ll be wearing two jackets.” She pulled the door shut behind them.

“Yeah, but mine would cover your stomach.”

“Excellent point.” She loved the way his jacket was cut, the fit flawless yet elegant—it gave her a glimpse into the future, of what Danny might look like with ten, twenty more years on him.

Good. He’d look good.

She pressed a hand against her stomach, certain the flutters were visible. “It’s not looking poochy, right?”

Danny drew back, face stretched in a silent horror-movie scream. “Did you just ask me what I think you did? Because there is no fucking right answer to that. Every man on the planet knows this.”

His overacting was so bad that she started laughing and was still grinning when the elevator arrived. Stepping in, she said, “Sorry, had a bout of nerves. I know we’re going to be the focus of a lot of cameras tonight.”

He took her hand, squeezed. “You look awesome, Catie. Like your badass sprinter self.”

That was the best compliment he could’ve given her. She almost leaned over and kissed his cheek, caught herself just in time. Jeez, Louise, she had to be careful or she’d give herself away, wreck everything.

On the other hand, she had to fake-like him for the duration of their agreement, so maybe she’d work through her unexpected fascination without anyone else being the wiser. “Let’s go be fabulous and lie our faces off.”

13

RED CARPET… KISS?