“I’m trying to figure out how you ended up engaged to the blue-haired fairy girl, and that’s the only reason I can think of. Is Ellie pregnant?”
I elbowed him in the side, earning a grunt.
“She’s not pregnant,” I bit out.
At least, she’d better not be. That wasn’t something I’d asked during our negotiations.
When Ellie took a sip of her mimosa, my shoulders relaxed. She didn’t seem like the type to drink while pregnant.
“Do you want any pastries?” she asked me, oblivious to Harrison’s question as she made heart eyes at her croissant.
I checked that my brother was distracted filling his own plate before I bent closer to her. “We don’t need to talk. Just look like you’re having fun.”
The croissant froze halfway to her mouth.
“Or maybe we could actuallyhave fun?” she whispered back, wiggling the pastry and gesturing around the table. “We’re out on the ocean, it’s a gorgeous sunny day, and we’re having chocolate croissants with mimosas for breakfast. This is the definition of fun.”
My lips twitched, but any urge to smile died when Dr. Lovejoy got to her feet.
“Good morning, everyone!” She lifted both arms in that same hippie manner. “Welcome to your first morning of our journey together. Has everyone greeted the day with gratitude and open hearts?”
Madison and Piper nodded enthusiastically, while the rest of us gave incoherent answers.
“Today’s focus will be on reconnecting with the earth and each other,” Dr. Lovejoy continued, pushing up her glasses. “We take so much of this world and our partners for granted. It’s time to slow down and connect with both. Harrison, do you have anything to add before we break our fast together?”
Ellie—the only one who’d already taken a bite of food—immediately stopped chewing and dropped her croissant onto the plate.
My brother raised his glass. “Eat, drink, and be merry. The morning will be spent on board, then put your suits on after lunch because we have a beach day planned at grandfather’s private island!”
I frowned. Abeach day? We weren’t five-year-olds.
Ellie’s blue eyes grew comically wide, and she leaned closer to me. “Your grandfather has his own island?”
“It’s more of an investment,” I said, leaving out that he also owned at least six others, “but he fixed up the beach for us to visit.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “Your life is insane.”
A yelp sounded from Mac’s direction, followed by him yelling, “Ellie, your damn gremlin ran off with my drink umbrella!”
“Oops. I’ll be right back.” She jumped up and slid her sandals off before taking off across the deck. “Drop it, Whiskey! What did I say about stealing things? It’s very rude.”
The whole table watched her chase her cat around the deck in her very short dress, and I rubbed a hand over my face.
We hadn’t even survived a full day yet.
spread the love
. . .
Ellie
Ellie’s Guide toProfessional CuddlingBeing a Fake Fiancée, Tip #10: If the opportunity arises to put your hands on the attractive shirtless guy pretending to be your fiancé, do it.
Whiskey was one evasive kitty, but he eventually took pity on me and dropped Mac’s drink umbrella after I tripped over a third chair while chasing him.
Mac had already gotten a new umbrella by the time I returned, huffing and puffing, but hopefully Whiskey had learned an important lesson.
Stealing was wrong.
