narrowed his eyes with suspicion. He didn’t think that was the real reason she was balking at his suggestions. “That’s not going to happen.”
“I’ve never gone all out pursuing a goal. I’m all about consistent and small steps. Even then, I’m holding back a little.”
“Why would you do that?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “Maybe it’s my way of not getting too excited or too hopeful if it all falls apart.”
“But you have to go all out if you want to pass this test and get your dream job.”
Claire covered her face her hands for a moment. “I am so out of my comfort zone.”
Jason exhaled sharply. Why did she have to make everything so difficult? “Claire, haven’t you ever done something incredibly stupid that everyone found out and talked about it? They’re not talking about it now.”
“That’s because I haven’t done anything like that.” She frowned when he scoffed at her answer. She set her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Have you heard any rumors about me?”
He tried to come up with one but he couldn’t remember hearing any stories about Claire. He had heard plenty about his sister, but Kim had been proud of her antics.
“Well?” she asked with a defiant thrust of her chin.
“I just assumed you were good at covering your tracks.”
“I don’t make my mistakes public and I don’t bring attention to myself. That’s just how I was raised. The importance of image is ingrained within me and I can’t change my basic nature in just one night.”
He splayed his arms out. “Why not?”
His question flustered her. She fidgeted, shifting from one foot to the next. He watched, fascinated, as her mouth opened and closed but no words came out. She wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the courage to say it.
“Oh, this should be interesting.” He rocked back on his feet. “Got any deep dark secrets I should know about? Or have the statutes of limitations not run out yet?”
“This idea isn’t going to work.” She crossed her arms. “I don’t know why I didn’t realize it sooner. We should quit while we’re ahead.”
“Quit?” He was stunned. Claire Miller didn’t give up. She kept at a project, trying different things and not stopping until she got results. And now she was going to abandon her idea because it made her uncomfortable? “Since when has that word been in your vocabulary?”
“I can recognize when something isn’t going to work. There is no way I can make anyone think I’m an adventurous or spontaneous woman.”
“Yes, you can.” He may have had a different answer earlier today but he was used to seeing her passionate nature focused on business. He wanted to see her tap in to her sensual side.
She couldn’t look at him. “You don’t have to say that, Jason. Don’t worry, I’m letting you off the hook. We’re even.”
Jason hesitated. That was what he wanted, wasn’t it? If she wasn’t pursuing this crazy goal, he wouldn’t have to protect her. This had turned out easier than he had expected. Now was the time to say thanks and walk away. So why wasn’t he?
“It’s not like you to give up,” he said.
She flinched. “I was crazy to think I had a real chance at this job. Those kinds of careers are meant for other people. Not for me.”
“There’s something I’ve always admired about you, Claire,” he said gently. “You are the most tenacious person I know. I wish I was more like you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Say what?”
“I wish I had your discipline and your willpower,” he confessed. “I don’t know what you call it...your commitment? Your stubbornness?”
“Thanks, but you live a charmed life. You don’t need discipline to get by.”
He wasn’t so sure about that. “And if anyone can create a new image in just a few days, it’s you.”
Her expression softened and her blue eyes seemed bigger. “I appreciate the support, Jason, but those qualities you just listed are standing in the way of me being a wild party girl.”
Jason wanted to argue but there was some truth in her words.
“I can try to push out of my comfort zone,” Claire continued, “but it’s not going to be enough. I could do something outrageous and everyone at this party will explain it away because I am the serious one. Or worse, they won’t notice.”
But they had noticed—when he was with her. “Then I’ll do it for you.”
She blinked hard. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Jason was just as astonished that he had made the offer. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. “There’s something that Dustin said to me tonight. His opinion of you changed because I was with you.”
She looked around him and stared at the people circling the bonfire as if she was trying to find Dustin. “Changed how?”
“He thought you were more like the women I usually date. Is it because you dressed differently? Is it because you danced with me?” He gave a shrug. “I can’t say, but my reputation is transferring onto you.”
“There has to be something more than that.”
“We’ll figure it out as we go along. Yeah, yeah.” Jason held his hands up in surrender. “I know, the very idea makes you have an anxiety attack. But this means you don’t have to act wild and crazy. I can do it for you.”
“I don’t understand,” she said. “How is that going to work?”
“Simple. I will act drunk with love for you.”
* * *
CLAIRE STARED AT Jason’s mouth. His lips were settled into a grim line. She couldn’t have heard that correctly. She was daydreaming again. That had to be the only explanation.
“You’re suggesting something like when a movie star wears a borrowed designer dress on the red carpet,” she said as if she was in a trance. “It lifts the status of the designer and it helps the star maintain her brand.”
“I guess,” Jason said. “What do you think? This will work.”
The only difference between her analogy and their predicament was that her association with Jason would not help him. Their friends and acquaintances would question it until they figured out the truth. “You think that if you act crazy in love with me—”
He winced. “Let’s go with infatuation.” He shook his head once he said the word out loud. “Uh...in lust?”
Her pulse skipped a beat as she imagined what life would be
