I shrugged.
“Me right now. I won’t pretend to be an expert on entertaining company. Outside of my clients, the only people who come over on a personal tip are family and friends and they tend to help themselves.”
“Water is fine.” I reached for her hand to lead her to the kitchen. I would be a lie if I said I didn’t feel the spark of electricity that surged through my hand and down my body from just the simple gesture between us. The small gasp McKay delivered let me know she felt it too. So much that just as quickly as I had her hand in mine, it was gone.
Once we made it to the kitchen, I went for the bottle of water while McKay took a seat at the island. I slid the bottle of water over as I watched her open it and take a long drink before she finally spoke. She let out a deep sigh.
“Burkeley, first, I want to apologize for my behavior the other night. You caught me off guard with your suggestion. Secondly, you have to stop refusing my money. I don’t like the feeling of you doing something for me and not paying for your services. It makes this thing between us uneven.”
“McKay, no need to apologize. I did come out of nowhere, and like you said, you don’t know me. I saw a problem and figured I had a solution that could help us both. And second, with me presenting the offer, I didn’t feel comfortable taking the money, especially not after.”
We got quiet for a moment, but it wasn’t weird. I could tell McKay was battling with her words right now so I took the initiative to try to help her.
“Was there something else, McKay?” I asked. Jumping the gun and talking too fast the last time McKay and I were together had me choosing my words out cautiously this go around.
“Yes. Um… this is going to sound silly, considering that I called you crazy for presenting the idea to me almost a weekago, but does your offer still stand? Ya know, for you to meet my parents and well… me to spend the holidays with you in return?”
I licked my lips as I looked her over, gauging her nervousness. It was cute to me, especially since she was right. Last week she had just called me crazy?—
“And kicked me out.”
She released an exasperated sigh as she playfully rolled her eyes.
“Yes, which I just apologized for, Burkeley.”
“True but that doesn’t mean my feelings aren’t still hurt, McKay. And now here you are, asking this… Ah, what is it that you called me?” I tapped my chin as I moved my head to the side, feigning complete confusion. I remembered.
“Burkeley,” McKay called out.
“No, that wasn’t it. It started with an s, I think. Damn, what was it?”
“A stranger, which you still are, but we can fix that.”
“Can we? How are we going to do that? I want to hear this plan of yours.” I was fucking with McKay hard right now, only because she wouldn’t even hear me out. I was sure her plan was similar to mine for us.
She kissed her teeth and began to get up. “Yeah, never mind this was—” She was moving, but I rushed her, grabbing her hand to stop her.
“Hold up. Okay, I’ll quit playing. Yes, the offer still stands, McKay. And no, I don’t blame you for how you reacted. Hell roles reversed, I would’ve thought your pretty ass was crazy too. Shit, the verdict is still out.” I tossed her a smirk with her pressing her lips together, giving me her best glare. Another cute tick of hers. I was enjoying learning the many different sides to McKay.
“Okay, I’ll stop for real this time. But seriously, I am curious, what’s your plan to fix this minor problem of us not knowingeach other?” I ushered her back toward her stool at the island, but this time, removed her jacket, draping it on the other barstool next to her so she could be comfortable.
I made my way back to the other side of the island and leaned against the counter.
“Okay, another crazy idea, but dates to get to know each other. I figured we could at least become friends first. Well, work up to that since meeting my parents will have to be soon. I told my Grandpa Mackie I would tell them when I made it to my second trimester, and well, I’m a couple weeks in to it, and probably can drag it out to make it two if I avoid that old man and give him a date.”
“Dates? You wanna go out with me, McKay?” I curved my top lip up as I watched McKay now give me a stoic expression. I wasn’t paying any mind to her nonchalant attitude because it didn’t matter to me, either way. The opportunity to even fake date McKay was all I needed…wanted. I would play her game though.
“For the sake of making this believable for my people and yours, yes, Burkeley. But that’s it. Strictly professional or transactional, however you want to see this.”
“Personal. You said become friends, and unfortunately, that title is only on a personal level for me.”
“You know what I mean. The dates will only be for the business side of this. We date to strictly get to know each other to pass ourselves off as a real life couple. Also, will your family and friends know I’m pregnant? I mean, what am I saying? That's a dumb question. After a while I won’t be able to hide it.”
I thought about her situation, considering her stomach would grow over the duration of the next couple of months.
“Am I going to tell my people that the baby is mine? Yes. For this whole thing to work between us, everyone must knowthe same story. If your parents meet me as your boyfriend and child’s father, then mine will too.”
“Then how will the breakup work then?”
