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“I have coffee if you want it.”
I blink. Is Abel bringing me coffee in bed?
Isn’t our relationship supposed to be fake? I’m no authority on pretend relationships, but I’m pretty sure fake husbands do not bring their fake wives coffee.
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not. Are you decent?”
I bend down to let the girls out of their crate. They immediately go to the door. “Just a second.”
My heart beats hard in my throat as I throw on a bra and a sweatshirt. Glancing in the mirror, I give my bangs a little fluff. Chastising myself all the while, because it doesn’t matter how I look. Abel’s not climbing into bed with me. Not now, not ever.
I nearly trip over Cher and Tai on my way to the door.
“Girls!” I hiss. “Back up, please.”
Turning the knob, I pull open the door and there he is.Darkening another doorway with his dark, handsome looks and dark, handsome gaze.
Abel is freshly showered, his wet hair combed back from his face. He’s wearing a pair of jeans, a black T-shirt, and those huge boots of his. He holds a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, its velvety scent immediately filling my head, and his phone in the other.
He looks so good it literally hurts. My stomach contracts, making it hard to breathe.
“Hi,” I croak.
He holds out the coffee. “Hey.”
Oh God. The grizzly bear voice is real.
“This is... really nice.” It’s a miracle I don’t drop the mug as I take it. “Thank you.”
The dogs jump on him, whipping my ankles with their tails. “Girls! Get down! I’m so sorry?—”
“Told you, they’re fine.” His knees crack as he squats to pet Cher and Tai. “Y’all sleep okay?”
I suddenly feel hot all over. Sweatshirt wasn’t the right call. “We slept great. How about you? Was the pull-out as awful as I told you it would be?”
“Pull-out did its job.” His eyes flick up to meet mine. Tai is sticking her tongue up his nose, but he doesn’t flinch. “I gotta head to the office in a few. I’m not a big breakfast guy, but I grabbed some bagels from Foster’s if you want ’em. They’re by the sink. Plenty of coffee left in the pot too.”
There’s a small, familiar tickle inside my chest.
No.
No no noooooooo.
Now is not the time to get butterflies. Wasn’t I just mulling over the feelings I already have for someone else?
How could I not get butterflies, though, while being told by the beautiful man who’s loving up on my cute but annoying dogs that he thought to grab me breakfast? And all thisafterhe hands me a cup of fresh, hot coffee?
“Abel, you’re the best.”
He grins. “I know. Also. I’m free tonight. Any interest in dinner at Stede’s? We could continue our date-night streak. Let people see us.”
A dizzying lightheadedness comes over me. I was fine faking a relationship in theory. I was even okay moving in with Abel. But now that we’re actually going out to be seen by other people? That makes itreal.
I press my palm to my stomach, feeling sick.
“...or not.” Frowning, Abel stands. “You all right?”
