One I didn’t have time to process, because she was already halfway out the door. “Come on,boyfriend.Let’s get this shit show started.”
Boyfriend.That word packed a walloping punch right to the center of my chest. If only I’d be so lucky, outside of a bet. Trailing behind her, I finally caught up and grabbed her hands, stopping her. Her eyes tracked our interlocking fingers.
“Eyes are on us.” I smiled, stepping in closer to her, inhaling her sweet scent.
“Really playing this couple thing up.”
Ignoring the ticking in my chest, I shook our hands together. “This is standard protocol.”
I tightened my grip, so she couldn’t get away as we walked over to the deck where her mother and sister were fixing up a table and some other decorations.
Without hesitating, I offered to help. Their eyes drifted towards our hands with a raised eyebrow, but put me to work, nonetheless. April shot me asorryglance, but I shrugged it off. This was what couples did,right?
CHAPTER 21
APRIL
Josh was incredible. He introduced himself with ease to everyone. May seemed shocked into silence when I introduced him as my boyfriend. I knew I’d have to do a lot more than just say it to win her over. But the way he was constantly touching me or staring at me from across the room, damn near hadmealmost believing that we were a real couple. It was for show, I’d reminded myself more than once to keep from launching into his arms and planting one on him.
He was so relaxed and carefree, even with my Papi around he didn’t flinch. He respected boundaries, called him sir, which I one hundred percent knew earned my Papi’s respect. He was a man of honor. I had only introduced one other guy to him when I was younger, and let’s just say, it hadn’t gone great. We broke up shortly after and I can’t for sure say I know why, but despite my heartbreak, I swear I saw my Papi do a little dance.
“Josh seems great,” my mom said, reaching for a large tray of fruit from the fridge.
It took me a minute to register the compliment. I reached for the tray. “Let me help.”
“How did you meet again?”
I cleared my throat nervously. “We work together.”
Her eyebrows furrowed together and a crease formed. “I thought you said at a function or something.”
My heart started to thump faster. Crap.What had I told them already?How did Wes and I meet? I racked my brain for any details, but they were all jumbled together. I didn’t have much choice as my mother waited expectantly, as if she had caught me in a lie. “Nope. You must be confusing him with someone else.
Her shaped brow arched. “Was there more than one person you were dating? I specifically remember an event…” Her voice trailed off when Josh snuck in behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist. Sending a flutter of shivers down me.
“No.” I paused, trying to figure out how to word this without going off the path of the story we had said.
“We met at work, but it was the night of the fair that I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. She was kind of interested in someone else at the time.” I whipped around to see his amused grin. “But patience turned out better for me and I finally got to make my move.” He leaned in and kissed the top of my head, my heart sputtered in my chest. He sounded so fucking believable.
My mother brightened with anI-knew-you-said-eventgrin. She stared between us for a moment as if she had more to say, but my aunt came and scooped her away.
Thank you, I mouthed to Josh once they left. He simply winked and my insides flipped.
“Josh, you coming?” I heard the whiny voice of my twelve-year-old cousin, yelling from the yard.
“Duty calls.” He grinned.
“Careful. They look sweet, but they will take you out.” Josh chuckled. “Watch out for Aunt Lily, whatever concoction of scented goods she layers has a tendency to stick to you.”
He moved his eyebrows around like he was trying to remember my aunt. “Silver hair, overdressed.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “Avoid the old one and take out the kids. Got it.” He winked as he took off out the back door.
I felt incredibly uneasy about leaving him with the kids to play, but I was under outdated house rules of boys have fun and girls do all the work. My mother put me on my least favorite duty, setup.
All eyes were glued to Josh the entire day. No matter who asked questions, they were still shocked that he was there withmeas a date. It was insulting. Sure, I hadn’t brought guys home despite saying I would and it falling through.
“Wow, you bagged Josh Davidson?” May smiled sweetly, popping herself aside the counter. There was a menacing undertone to her question, as if she was about to launch an attack.
