AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t know how to act. Do I have a pet name for you?”
“No,” he says.
“Any private jokes?”
“Why?”
“Because don’t all couples do that? They’re always off in a corner snickering about private jokes.”
“I’ve never done that.”
“Then I’m clueless,” I say with a shrug.
“Just follow my lead. But we need to be convincing.” He pushes the doorbell and grabs my hand. The shock of his touch slides up my arm like a current of energy.
“What are you do—” I start to say as the door swings open and I clamp my lips shut. I guess this is what Lucas means by putting on a convincing act.
Henrique stands in the door with his wife, Veronica, whose silver bob complements her elegant sleeveless sheath.
“Welcome, Gianna and Lucas,” Veronica says with a warm smile, before her eyes drop to our linked fingers. Now that we’ve made our entrance as a couple, Lucas lets go to shake Henrique’s hand. Veronica wraps me in a hug like I’m an old friend. Even Henrique seems more relaxed than normal, unlike his usual uptight self.
They wave us into a grand foyer with a chandelier so large it looks like it belongs in a medieval castle.
“So happy you could come,” Veronica says. “Please leave your bags. I’ll have our house assistant put them away for you.”
“Thank you for inviting us,” I say as Henrique opens his arms to me. Before this moment, I couldn’t have imagined Henrique acting nice to me, much less hugging me. Dating Lucas has clearly skyrocketed my status.
Henrique waves us toward the deck. “Join us for drinks, would you? We’d love to talk before our other guests arrive.”
“Other guests?” I frown.
“Oh, didn’t Lucas tell you?” Veronica looks at Lucas. “Henry invited friends from Asheville, so Lucas could get more opinions on his new recipes.”
“No, Lucas did not tell me,” I say, turning to Lucas and raising an eyebrow. Did he think I’d back out? Not want to come?
Great. Now I need to convince a crowd that I’m Lucas’s girlfriend. No pressure.
“I didn’t want to scare you away,” he admits before turning back to Veronica. He grabs my hand as we follow Veronica to an elaborate deck with several seating areas, a fireplace, and bar. “Would you like any sweet tea or lemonade?” she asks.
“Tea for me,” I say.
“Same,” Lucas adds, not letting go of my hand. He’s making sure that Henrique and Veronica are convinced of our couple status.
She motions toward a love seat. “Henrique has told me so much about you. I want you to feel like this is your home while you’re here.”
As soon as I sit, Lucas settles next to me, so close we’re almost joined at the hip. I’m not used to anyone sitting this close. I’m practically on his lap.
Veronica hands us our drinks. “I want to hear what attracted you to each other. Spill the tea.”
“Excuse me?” I nearly choke on my drink.
“Was that too personal?” she says, smiling.
“Of course not,” Lucas says, wrapping his arm around me. Apparently Lucas’s version of “being convincing” includes large amounts of PDA. I had no idea Lucas was into cuddling. It’s like he can’t keep his hands off me in public. Even though it’s just an act, I don’t hate it.
“I used to work in psychological research,” Veronica says. “I like to hear what attracts people to each other.”
“That’s what I hope to study in my internship this fall,” I say. “I’m going to the Research Center for Relational Studies. Also known as The Love Lab. Have you heard of it?”
