Her lashes flutter, and she escapes me, leaving me to freeze alone with the ice pack. “Can we talk numbers for a second?”
“Numbers?”
“Do you make six figures?”
I abandon the ice pack on the counter behind me, cock a hip against it, and cross my arms. “Are you sure you want to have a conversation that may further complicate yourdo I like him for himconcerns?”
“Yes.”
Very well then. I answer, “Closer to a low seven.”
Her eyes bulge. “Peryear?”
“Yes.”
She whispers a soft curse. “Who in the world are you? And why in the world are you in my kitchen? Onpurpose?” Her eyes bounce, thoughts streaming, as she searches the air, the floor, the counters, our feet. “You…wouldn’tneedto rent. You didn’t… There wasn’t a mix up renting from Lynnat all. This scheme goes that deep? And you’reallin on it,thatcompletely?”
I hum, inconclusive.
“You’re here…fully…because of…” Her lips part, and her gaze lifts. “Me?”
Holding steady, I say, “I love you, August.”
Every muscle in her winds as the blaze that falls over her skin leaves her tipping back against the fridge for support. “I don’t…understand. Is this…amnesia?” August—fully convinced suddenly—grips her hair. “Oh my goodness. I have amnesia. This is an amnesia plot. Are you…already my husband? I’ve just forgotten. You’re trying to get me to remember by taking me to the courthouse, where we got married in a flurry of passion, because I’m impulsive and you’re…” She waves a hand at me, erratic. “Are you…also impulsive?”
“Not usually.” Even though I am presently considering whether or not convincing her she’s right might result in us going through the entire marriage process. Wham, bam, mission accomplished. Yeah, let’s try that. I proceed, “But when the woman I love sayswant to get married, Dominic?I sayyes.”
“Dominic.” Her brow furrows. “Right. I forgot.” Her frantic melts, and she regards me. “If this made sense, you wouldn’t be going by an alias. Scrap everything I just said.”
Darn. So close.
She sighs. “You were actually going to tell me I was right and that we should go to the courthouse to see if it would work, weren’t you?”
“August, if you’re going to say you want manipulation, I would appreciate it if you stop seeming affronted each time you’re almost manipulated.”
She balks, hand to heart. “I’m not affronted that you’re trying to manipulate me. I’m affronted that I keep figuring it out too fast. Can’t you….do it better?”
My brows rise. “My apologies. Should I target your self-esteem and insecurities? And would blatant gaslighting be acceptable?”
She perks. “The tactical abuse you’re suggesting would be a long-term arrangement, which is conducive to my slow burn desires. I accept.”
Of course she would. Pity calling her crazy wouldn’t result in anything other than ayes, and?Setting the matter aside, I say, “How are you feeling?”
“Still a little swimmy.” She nurses a few sips of water. “I have a stupid question.”
“Maybe I’ll have a stupid answer.”
“How hard do you think it would be to orchestrate a situation where I’m kidnapped and you have to rescue me like Usui does in that one episode?”
I cross my arms. “Misaki’s never kidnapped. Are you talking about the creeps that broke into the cafe? Because Usui didn’t really do any rescuing then.”
Her head shakes. “I’m talking about when she goes to the other school. ”
“The other school where the bad guy steals her clothes and pins her to the floor in a maid outfit?” My entire being revolts at the very image of August in such a situation. “Impossible.”
“Impossible?”
“People would die before they got so far with you.” I stretch my fingers. “Maybedon’ttry to orchestrate that kind of situation. Ever. As stated previously, my lawyer is already concerned about lawsuits.”
