Speaking of Topher, I leaned back in my chair, trying to sound casual. “You ever notice how he’salwaysworking? Like, constantly?”
Josephine sighed, sitting down across from me. “That boy doesn’t know how to slow down. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders. Like if he stops for even a second, everything will fall apart.”
I nodded, my heart giving a little squeeze. I didn’t know why I cared so much about his well-being, but there it was. “He acts like the world will collapse if he’s offline for five minutes.”
Josephine tried to hide her grin, but it slipped out. “Well, the internetdoestend to get a little... spotty when he’s home.”
I stared at her, something clicking into place. “Wait a second. Have you been messing with the Wi-Fi?”
Josephine gasped, her hand flying to her chest in an overly dramatic display. “Me? Sabotage my own son’s internet? Never!” But the twinkle in her eye gave her away.
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. “You have, haven’t you?”
She sighed, dropping the act with a guilty smile. “Alright, fine. I might’ve unplugged a thing or two here and there. But in my defense, he works too much! A little break won’t kill him.”
I remembered the weird episode with Gladys and the Saran Wrap in the kitchen. “Did you get Gladys in on this scheme too?”
Josephine’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “She was averywilling participant. You know how much she loves getting into people’s business.”
I shook my head but smiled. “You’re devious.”
She grinned. “Please don’t tell Topher, though. It’s been so good to see him relax.”
“So, that’s your grand plan? Sabotage his Wi-Fi, so he’ll slow down?”
Josephine chuckled, a little too pleased with herself. “It’s worked so far, hasn’t it?” She gave me a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling. “You’re good for him. Whether he admits it or not.”
Just then, Topher walked into the kitchen, his brown hair perfectly mussed, as handsome as I had ever seen him. He crossed the room with that easy stride of his and bent down to kiss his mother on the cheek. “How are you doing?”
“Better every day, sweetie,” she said.
Topher swept across the kitchen and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Good morning, beautiful.” His sleep-roughened voice made me want to melt, but his strong arm kept me upright as he pulled me closer. “I’m the luckiest man alive.” Before I could respond, he leaned in and gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “You always manage to look perfect in the morning.”
I blinked. “Perfect? I didn’t even brush my hair.”
He grinned, leaning just a little closer. “Well, whatever you’re doing, it’s working.” I could feel my face heat up, and before I could come up with a response, he added, “Is it some secret moisturizer or something? Because you’re glowing.”
I blinked again, dazed. “Uh, coconut oil... I guess?”
Topher chuckled softly, his voice low and teasing, his breath warm against my skin. “Coconut oil. Noted. Whatever it is, don’t ever stop.”
The warmth in his voice, the way his hand rested on my waist, and how he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered.
“I won’t,” I said, barely thinking before speaking, “if it keeps you this close.” Butterflies stirred in my stomach.
He looked at me with such intensity, such warmth. His touch sent a little thrill through me, his smile making my heart stumble in my chest. I reached up and pushed a wayward strand of hair off his forehead, smiling.
“Oh, you two.” His mom laughed. “Nothing like young love, is there?”
Reality hit, hard and fast, like a cold splash of water.
All for show. His mother was there. This was all part of the charade, part of the lie we were selling. But for a moment, it had felt real, as if he were a man in love. My body had responded before my brain could catch up, leaning ever so slightly into his touch, craving more of the connection I hadn’t realized I wanted.
I felt a pang of sadness, a heaviness in my chest, knowing that it was fake.
Still, for just a moment, it had felt nice. Really nice.
Josephine looked between the two of us, her smile wide. “So, what made you fall for Kathleen?”
