Except I don’t think it’s the heat.
I think it’s him.
“I program the microcomputers that control automated processes for assembly lines,” he’s telling my mom.
That sounds like a job I would absolutely not be interested in doing, ever, and also like the sexiest thing in the world.
Just becausehe’sthe one who said it.
Also? I’m starting to want to eat more vegetables after watching his “mostly vegetarian” diet for the past two days.
Have I ever thought farro looked delicious? I don’t think I have. But his farro bowl is so bright and colorful with all the veggies in it, and I keep resisting the urge to try some.
Which I wouldn’t be resisting if we wereactuallyengaged.
“So you want to automate our secret family recipe?” Grandma says.
Dane covers my hand with his, an easy smile on his face. “I’ll do whatever Amanda wants me to do.”
Today’s swoon factor is dialed up to eleventy bajillion.
I like it.
And I hate it.
“I should probably master making gingerbread by hand first,” I joke, then cringe to myself.
I don’t want to make gingerbread.
That’s the whole point of Dane being here. And I just ruined his attempt at making Grandma reconsider that I’m the best person to take over for her.
“You’ll make good gingerbread,” Grandma says.
“I really don’t think—”
“When—ifI give you the real recipe, it’ll do its magic. You’ll see.”
The real recipe?
Magic?
I slide a look at Dane.
He rubs his thumb over the back of my hand. “Amanda has her own magic.”
“You know, Grandma, when we get married ...,” I start, but she snorts and waves a hand.
“You’re not getting married.”
I don’t care much about rules and edicts in the general scheme of things. If they work for me, great. If they don’t, I push back.
Right now, that rule about respecting your elders is about to fly out the window.
Mom puts her fork down and shoots me a look that silences me, though. “I’m really looking forward to dress shopping,” she says.
The look Grandma gives her makes me glad our family doesn’t believe in evil eye curses from the head generation.
But Mom doesn’t bat an eyelash. “My only daughter having a Tinsel wedding instead of eloping like her brother? I’m taking her dress shopping. She could be marrying a serial killer, and if he made her happy, I’d support her.”
