Rolling my eyes, I swatted at him. “Easy, it’s just for show.”
He caught my hand mid-swipe and pulled me into his chest. My eyes locked on his in surprise. My heart thumped wildly as his thumbs ran down my arm. Without warning he brought my arm up and his lips traced so softly against the inside of my wrist, it felt like a feather slipping across me. I swallowed hard.
His eyes locked onto mine. Neither of us moved. The air was charged with sexual tension and all I could do was hold my breath, waiting, hoping maybe he would kiss me. A snap and pop from the chicken startled both of us as we jumped apart. Josh quickly turned down the flame. “See, even the chicken got too hot and bothered around us.”
My face fell. “Seriously?”
He chuckled. “Oh, lighten up. I think we’ll do just fine.”
The problem was, I didn’t think he was wrong. For a split second, even I got lost in the moment and forgot it was all for show. Even if there was no one to show off to. Maybe this could work.
I was in my office, getting ready for work after a fitful night. My mind still trapped at Josh’s and dinner. The phone rang for the eighth time, mom’s number flashing on the screen, each ring seemed to have picked up volume like a shrill cry to answer it. I had been avoiding her long enough. Sure, Josh and I had been good with this, but I was still hesitating when it came to confirming. Maybe it was superstitious orwhatever, but I was nervous that something would come up and he would bail.
Reluctantly, I answered. “Mom, hi.”
“I’ve been calling.”
“I know, Mom. We’re in season. It’s busy.”
“Too busy for your mother?”
Yeah. At least, that was what I wanted to say but knew better. “We are prepping for the All-Star break, Mom.”
She mumbled something I was sure I didn’t want to hear. “Anyways, the party is less than a week away. You’re certain he can come? I need a head count for the food and if he can’t, then...”
“Why do you always say that?”
“Hun. Your dates have a track record of canceling at the last minute.” My mom said in a sickly-sweet tone, as if she was only stating a fact and not being condescending.
My eyes closed. I let out a long breath. I hated that she was right. Everyone I dated ended things with the mere mention of meeting family. Maybe not immediately, but shortly thereafter. It got to the point that I stopped asking, because it was like a sudden leap into “serious” relationship status, or at least that’s what Wes had said when I first asked him to come. Needless to say, he wasn’t exactly on board with this and somehow, I was convinced I could get him to say yes. I was wrong, again. I knew Josh had agreed, but now I felt bad involving him.
“I told you he’d back out.” I heard May’s voice on the other line. I forgot my mom was one of the few people who still used a damn land line. “May?”
“Yeah. I bet mom a hundred bucks he wouldn’t make it.”
“He’ll be there,” I emphasized.
“Hmm.” May added like she didn't believe me. Alright, I see the irony in it, but I was sick of her crappy better-than-me attitude. “What was his name, again?”
Fuck it. He said he would, so here goes. “Josh.”
“Josh?” My sister echoed.
It was like saying his name made him appear. He came around the doorway and tilted his chin at the phone. I mouthed to him, “My mom and sister.”
He stepped in closer, the scent of his soap from the shower wafting at me and damn, did he smell delicious. “Can’t wait to meet them.”
They gasped. I bit my lip to stifle my laugh. “Now that that’s settled, I gotta get back to work.”
“Uh, okay,” my mom stuttered, clearly shocked I was telling the truth. Even in that insult of doubt, I felt a moment of gratitude for Josh.
“Thank you.”
He smiled genuinely. “No worries. Besides, it sounded intense.”
“Did it?”
“Uh, you were about to gnaw your thumb off.” He pointed to the now red nub.
