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“Of course you were.”
Suddenly, she wasn’t feeling so sleepy. She sat up, pulling her bent legs up to her chest. “It was scary. If Tanner hadn’t been there . . . I might have . . . I might . . .” To her mortification, tears started dripping down her face.
“Hey, baby. Don’t cry. You’re safe. You’re okay.” He drew her onto his lap, which was both amazing and slightly worrying.
What if she was squishing him?
But then his arms went around her, holding her tight. Soft words were spoken in her ear. She couldn’t really make out what he was saying, but the tone was enough to have her calm down.
She cleared her throat. “I’m so sorry.”
“What do you have to be sorry for?”
“For crying all over you. Getting your shirt wet. Squishing you.”
He made a low warning noise. “What did I say to you? You’re not to talk about yourself like that.”
She nodded. It wasn’t going to change anytime soon, but she’d try to watch what she said around him.
With his finger under her chin, he tilted her head back. “You’re damned beautiful, Lara Matheson. A total knockout. And not only that, but you’re also as gorgeous on the inside as you are on the outside.”
Wow. He was so nice.
“But I will say this to you, we might not be a real boyfriend and girlfriend, but if I hear you keep talking bad about yourself or I find out you were walking around town on your phone, you’ll be in trouble, got me?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good girl. You know, if you were mine, you wouldn’t be allowed to stay here.” He frowned, glancing around.
“Well, here is where I’m staying. And I’m perfectly safe.”
“Yeah? Tanner said to ask you how the rat army was treating you.”
“Tanner is a stirrer,” she muttered. “There aren’t any rats.” Mice, maybe. Perhaps rats. But she didn’t know for sure that there were any.
“I don’t like it, but I guess I can’t make you move.” He sounded rather put out by that. “But again, if anything happens, I want your promise that you’ll call me.”
“I will.” After tonight, she’d only be here four more nights. What could happen in that time? Surely nothing.
He lifted her off his lap, and she scrambled back against the headboard.
She was only a fake girlfriend. Imagine what he’d be like with his actual girlfriend.
That woman would likely never get away with anything. But she’d also be well-protected and cared for.
She yawned again.
“I should let you sleep.”
“I’m okay.” She wasn’t. Today had completely drained her and she really needed some sleep.
“I’ll go. I was going to check your wrist, though.”
Yeah, no. That was the last thing she wanted him to do.
“It’s fine. I just banged it. Happens all the time. I doubt it will even bruise.”
She hoped, anyway.
She let out another loud yawn, hoping he’d take the hint.
“All right, pretty girl. I’ll text you tomorrow and make sure you’re okay. We should probably get our stories right too on how we met.”
She groaned. “I really wish I wasn’t going. You should see the disgusting bridesmaid dress I tried on today.”
He grimaced. “That bad?”
“Worse. Much worse. I hope you’re not allergic to pumpkin.”
“It’s always been my favorite vegetable.” He leaned in and she held her breath. Would he kiss her?
“Where’s your phone?”
“What?” That wasn’t what she was expecting.
“Your phone. Make sure it’s charging, and then I need you to make sure the door is locked after I leave.”
She found her phone and plugged it into the charger. Then she followed him to the door.
“Sorry you had to wait so long for me to come home.” It still surprised her that he’d done that.
“Just wanted to make sure that you were safe, pretty girl. I’ll text you tomorrow.”
She made certain the door was locked after he’d left, then she floated to the bed.
“So, a pretend boyfriend, huh? Sounded to Old Al like you might want something more.”
“Well, we both know your hearing isn’t what it used to be,” she called back, covering her heated cheeks with her hands. “And didn’t your mama ever tell you it’s not polite to eavesdrop?”
“Now, girlie, you wouldn’t deny an old man the most fun he’s had in years, would you? I’ve got arthritis, gout, constant indigestion, and I’m a bit lonely. I’m living vicariously through you.”
She sighed. Damn it.
“Fine, Old Al. You can listen in, but just don’t tell anyone, please?”
“My lips are sealed, girlie.”
Uh-huh, sure they were.
After getting ready for bed, Lara grabbed the scrapbook that she’d put up in the small closet. This was the most precious item she owned. She sat in bed and looked through the pages, smiling at the photos. Proof of happier times. She ran her finger over dad’s smiling face. He had his arm around her beaming mom and Lara was held in his free arm. Her chubby toddler face dirty from eating chocolate ice cream.
