Page 19 of The Other Plan

“My job,” I said decidedly. “I’m going to do my job. I’ll just ignore any feelings I still have for him and focus on throwing the most incredible wedding week the Bronson’s have ever seen. Nothing has changed.”

“And if he hits on you?” Cameron lifted a curious brow.

I scratched Arnold’s brown and white head. “He won’t.”

“And what makes you so certain?”

I bit my lip and peered up at Cameron with a shy smile. “Because he thinks I have a boyfriend. A serious one.”

Bulging eyes met mine. “What? Hold the freaking phone. You have a faux boyfriend in play?”

Grimacing, I nodded. “I may have panicked when Lydia went on and on and on about me being pathetic and single, and after just hearing Carter was engaged, I may have blurted out that I had a serious boyfriend.”

“Wait! He’s engaged?” Cameron shrieked. “Why didn’t you lead with that?”

“No. Broken up. He’s single.”

“This is so confusing. So, he’s single, but he thinks you’re not.”

“Yep.”

“Wow.”

“Yep.”

“So, Carter is single, and you are in a serious relationship with... who is the lucky fellow? Please don’t tell me you told him me. I mean, I’m a good actor, but there is no way I’m tongue kissing you. Sorry, not sorry.”

“Um, I blurted out Evan’s name. You know, my old friend, the paramedic.”

“Oh! Yes, he’s yummy too. So, you picked a real person, huh?”

“I’d just bumped into him the day before at the gas station, so I guess his name just popped into my head. So, if anyone asks, I am in a very serious, committed relationship with Evan. Comprende?”

“Comprende. And may I ask, why not date Evan for real? He’s so cute, single, and he lives here in Door County. Maybe this is what fate is trying to do! Get you together with Evan!”

“Would you stop with the fate thing?” I laughed. “Evan is like a brother to me. It would be incestuous to date him. And Carter is out as well. He lives in New York, and there’s just too much baggage between us. It’s just me and Arnold forever.”

Arnold looked up at me and licked my face. He was the main man in my life, and I had no intention of changing that. Arnold was the most committed relationship I’d ever had, and he was the only one I wanted.

“You’re my only guy, shmooshy wushy face,” I cooed as I scratched his wrinkled brindle and white head.

Cameron rolled over and slapped his thighs before standing. “Okay, now that I’m all caught up on the drama, I’d better go downstairs and get the wine tour goodie bags ready like I planned. What time do you leave at?”

“One hour,” I answered back. “All the stuff that goes in them is in my office. There should be twenty-five bags that need to get stuffed then loaded into my car.”

“On it,” he answered as he stood. “Do you want me to drop them at the trolley when I finish and save you the trip?”

I scowled. “No. I have to ride along today, so just put them in my car, and I’ll load them onto the trolley myself. Ugh. I do not want to go.”

He stuck out his lip. “Oh, boohoo. You get to spend your day on a trolley sipping your way down the Door County Wine Trail. You poor, pitiful creature.”

“On the trolley with Carter. That’s what I’m not looking forward to.”

“Want me to go instead? I’m all about winery tours. Just say the word, and I’ll take your place.”

I considered it before shaking my head. “I wish I could, but I promised Aunt Tilly I’d be there. You know how upset she’ll be if I don’t show up.”

“And we don’t want to upset Aunt Tilly.”