Between You and Me

She blinked and her jaw dropped. It was crystal clear to him those things had never even crossed her mind, which reassured him. “No,” she said. “I won’t. But if you want me to sign something swearing to that, I will. Reciprocation is fair play.”

He only nodded. He trusted her. Then he said, “Reciprocation. . . Funny you bring up that word. Because I have a request of my own. Separate from this.” Shit. What he’d thought of made sense on the drive over here, but now, saying it out loud filled him with apprehension. He’d sound like an idiot. Well . . . too bad. “I’m not saying my agreeing to be your donor is dependent on what I’m about to ask of you—it’s not. Okay? I agree to do this, and on your terms. No worries there. But . . . yeah, some reciprocation of goodwill would be appreciated. I need a favor.”

She smiled and said, “Okay, I’m listening.”

“This might sound crazy,” he admitted. “Yeah, it probably is. But I’m going to ask you anyway. Because I realized tonight, you’re in a position to help me out with something too.”

“Go on. How can I help you?”

He sighed. Was he really going to do this? Yup. Yup, he was. It was worth it. “My mom’s dying. There, I said it.”

Tess’s gorgeous eyes filled with sadness. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks.” He swallowed hard and barreled on. “I realized that she’s focused on me so intensely these past few months because she’s afraid after she passes, I’m going to be alone . . . and maybe go back to drinking.” He held up a hand before Tess could say a word. “I know I won’t. I know I’ll be wrecked with grief, but I’d like to think I can get through that without the bottle.”

“I’m sure you will.” Her voice was gentle, kind but not pitying. He loved that.

“Thank you. Anyway . . . so the thing is . . .” He shifted in his seat, raked his hands through his hair. “I thought, maybe if she sees I’m not alone, it’ll help her relax . . . make her happy. So would you be willing to pretend to be my girlfriend for a while?” He watched her eyes widen. “Yes, I know it’d be a lie. I don’t mean to deceive her, I don’t want to play with her emotions, you understand? I just . . .” His chest tightened. “I want her to have whatever peace she can while she’s still on this earth. If she doesn’t have to worry about something dumb like this . . .”

“I’ll do it,” Tess said. “I can do that. You’re doing me a tremendous service. I’d be very happy to return a favor, and for a good reason.”

Now it was his turn to be slack jawed. “You don’t think I’m crazy?”

“No. I think you’re a son who loves his mother and wants her to be happy in her final days.” Her mouth curved softly. “I can’t think of anything more decent than that.”

“Even though we’d be lying to her.”

“For a really good reason.”

He wanted to laugh. He was shocked that he’d even thought of something like this in the first place, and she was ready and willing to go along with it? Either she was amazing, or as crazy as he was. Possibly both. “It’s insane. I know that. I just . . .”

“I said yes.” Her grin and tone were playful. “But we’ll have to construct a story. Basic things, in case there are questions.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Okay.”

“Also, right off the top of my head? What about the fact that I’ll be going back to New York in a few months? How do we address that when she asks?”

“Oh. Good point. Uh . . .” Damn. He thought quickly. “We’ll just say at that point, we’re having a long-distance relationship. Your life is in New York, mine is here. You’re rich and more flexible, you have the house here, so you can come visit me and all that. It’ll work. But . . .” His chest constricted again. “I’d love to say she’ll still be here by the spring, so we’ll have to come up with a more elaborate story then. But I don’t know if she will. This could be a few months, or more than a few months. I don’t know. I really don’t. You still okay with that?”