Zia rushes over, pats me on my back. “Are you okay, my dear?”
I nod several times, eyeing Chase as he annoyingly appears to struggle with holding back a laugh. BB comes to my rescue, licking up the small puddle of water off the floor. “I’m fine, just choked on my own sip of water, that’s all.”
“Are you hungry? Let me warm you both up some soup.” Zia makes a beeline for the refrigerator. “You two have a seat at the table. The soup will be ready in no time.”
Evidently starving, Chase and I practically inhale the soup. Then afterward, Chase takes BB outside to relieve herself while I help Zia clean the lunch dishes.
She smiles as we load up the dishwasher. “So, where did you lovebirds meet?”
My conversation with Chase about how we’d describe our meet-cute pops to mind.
“Oh, it’s a funny story actually. See, I was walking BB on my way to London Federal Bank and somehow, she got loose and took off toward the bank’s door. Next thing I knew, BB was attacking your son, ferociously biting at his trousers.”
Her eyes widen. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“No, Mom, she’s not,” Chase chimes in, BB trotting along beside him. “In fact, I’m pretty sure BB was growling as she tugged away at my pants.”
Zia’s hand falls to her belly as she lets out a chortle. “What a hilarious way to meet.”
Chase swoops in behind me, hooks his arms around my waist, and kisses me on the cheek. I don’t know if I’m more annoyed that he kissed me or annoyed that I liked it. “Evelyn came to my rescue. One look at her—those stormy-blue eyes, I knew she was the one missing in my life.”
His delivery could be categorized as downright cheesy, if you ask me. Good thing his mom gulped it up and swallowed it whole, like a woman off of her diet.
“It’s good to see you elated, Chase.” Zia winks at me, her mouth turned up. “And I can tell by the expression on your face, when he put his arms around you, planted that kiss on your cheek, you’re happy as well.”
Chase finally sets me free from his surprise embrace and grabs hold of my hand. “I hope to make her happy for the rest of my life.”
BB barks as if she’s telling Chase to lay off the cheese.You tell him, girl.
Yet, cheesy or not, I try my best to conceal how flustered I am from just a simple kiss on the cheek. His lips, soft against my skin, sent a bolt of desire straight to my heart. And the way his arms felt around my waist? Oh. My. God. I thought for sure I’d melt right then and there.
What is wrong with me?I know damn well, I cannot—will not—develop feelings for this man.
Mentally, I recite MyFakeFiance.com’s Rules of Engagement to set me back on track.
1) Don’t fall in love with the client. 2) When in doubt, refer to rule #1…
