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“No, you want me to make your choices.” I correct her gently. I know that everything she does is with good intentions, but damn if they aren’t occasionally outdated, snobby ones. It’s no wonder I’ve been driven to this whole ‘fake girlfriend’ charade to keep her at bay. “I don’t need you playing matchmaker,” I say firmly. “You wanted me settled, and I am. I have a girlfriend.”
“For now.”
I pause. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Zelda gives a little shrug. “We both know how easily you get distracted. Let’s just see how this whole thing with Callie works out.”
She pats my hand, flashes a smile, and turns back to her coffee.
Uh oh.
I feel a shot of unease. This was supposed to be simple: Show up with a serious girlfriend, get my trust released, and have everything go back to the way it’s always been. But clearly, despite our lovey-dovey act at dinner, Zelda doesn’t believe Callie and I will last.
I mean, she’s right. We have a forty-eight-hour expiration on the relationship, but Zelda isn’t supposed to know that. And what’s with her assuming I’ll get bored and dump Callie next week? If we were serious, I would be more than capable of going the distance.
On some level, I realize it’s crazy to be insulted that my grandmother doesn’t think I can make this fake relationship work, but my pride smarts at her comment. Sure, I’ve never tried commitment before, but if I wanted to, I would be a great boyfriend. The best.
The most committed guy around.
In fact…
“I’m going to propose to Callie.”
“What?”
Zelda’s spoon slips, clattering against the fine china. I’m just as surprised to hear the words come out of my mouth, but what the hell.
She wanted settled, didn’t she?
“Is she…?” Zelda asks in horror.
“What?”
“Expecting.”
I choke on my bacon. Pregnant? “What? No!”
“So why the rush? You barely know the girl.” Zelda looks relieved. “You haven’t been dating more than a few months.”
“Neither had you, when you eloped with Grandpa Phin,” I say, pleased to have shocked her. “And you married your second husband after just a week at sea on that cruise.”
“That was different!”
“How?” I grin, sitting back in my chair. It was an impulsive declaration, but now that I think about it, I should have gone with a fake engagement all along. Anyone can have a girlfriend. But a fiancée? That says stable and settled all day long. “You always said, you just knew. Well, that’s how I feel about Callie. I just know.”
Zelda gapes some more. It’s not often I see her lost for words, so I take a moment to enjoy the peace. Then I see Callie exit the house, coming to join us. She’s wearing navy shorts and a top that flutters around her bare shoulders, and damn, if she doesn’t look gorgeous.
Gorgeous, and about to flip her lid when she hears I’ve upgraded her from fake girlfriend to fake future fiancée.
I clear my throat. “But don’t say anything to Callie,” I tell Zelda quickly, as Callie makes her way over. “I want it to be a surprise.”
“Uh huh,” Zelda manages to murmur, as Callie arrives at the table.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I tell her with a broad smile. “Sleep well?”
“Great, thanks,” she says. There’s a brief pause, before she ducks awkwardly to peck a kiss on my cheek. Even the brief brush of her lips on my skin is enough to send a jolt of heat through me.
A brush isn’t enough…
