“What are you going to wear?”
“Brooke picked something out for me, so I’ll find out when I get back to Jett’s.” I look down at the bag full of leggings and the hand-knit sweaters I spend my life in. “Whatever it is, it’s going to be fancier than anything I have.”
I finish stuffing my underwear and socks into the bag, and zip it up, then I start putting together some things for Cordelia. The little rainbow striped sweater I knit her, her bed, and a few of her favourite toys.
“Isn’t Jett allergic to cats?” Wren asks once we’re back out in the kitchen, and I’m getting Cordelia ready to put in her travel carrier.
“He says he is, but I think it’s an excuse, and he just doesn’t like them. He was over here a couple weeks ago, and he didn’t sneeze once,” I point out. “Besides, his house is big enough, he can avoid her if he wants. I can’t leave Cordelia for that long.”
“This is so wild,” Wren laughs, and I tilt my head, waiting for more. “This whole thing, thinking about you and Jett pretending to be a couple. Living in the same house. Isn’t it strange for you?”
I shrug. It took me a hot minute to wrap my head around it. But truthfully, I don’t really mind being around Jett.
“We don’t act like a couple in private,” I say, whichsomehow gives me a strange sensation in my gut, almost like it’s not entirely truthful. Because there’s something about the way he smiles at me, how his dark brown eyes light up … He makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the world that matters to him.
“I would hope not.”
I quickly check the apartment to make sure it’s okay to leave for a few days, weeks, I’m not sure when I’ll be back for any length of time.
“I know he has redeeming qualities, and we love him because he’s a Landry,” Wren says. “But that man is heartbreak waiting to happen.”
Wren helpsby bringing my bags out to my car and loading Cordelia up in the back seat. She’s been giving us the death stare from behind the mesh of the carrier since I put her in there, but she’ll just have to suck it up. Then, I give Wren a hug goodbye, and head back into the café to make sure Ethan has everything he needs before I go.
“I hate leaving you all alone here to manage,” I say.
The lineup from before is gone, so I help Ethan restock some milk jugs into the small fridges below the counter while we talk. Once I put the last one in, I rub my wrist where it has started to throb. I love the café, but my joints sure won’t mind a bit of time off.
“I’m not all alone.” Ethan wipes down some spilled milk and coffee from the counter. “I have Jaime.”
“I know, and you both do such a great job…”
“Look, I’ve been wanting to take on more responsibility around here. With the way your arthritis has been, it’s probably time for you to cut back and focus on the business end of things.” Ethan throws his rag into the laundry pail and picks up a fresh one to replace it. “Just enjoy your time off with your boyfriend.”
Guilt nabs at me. Because I can’t tell Ethan why I’m really going to be away, just that I need some time off and want to spend a few weeks with Jett in Banff.
I don’t want to stress him out with the predicament the café is in. He hasn’t asked many questions about it, which I’m grateful for. But lying is not my strong suit.
Even though Jett and I agreed only Wren and Hudson could be in on the ruse, it kills me inside to keep the truth from anyone. I can see Jett’s point though, it’s too risky otherwise. The secret could easily get out.
“Thanks,” I say, heading back toward the door. “I’ll still be taking care of all the back-end stuff while I’m gone, and I’ll be available for anything you need, just say the word.”
CHAPTER 15
JETT
“Cheers,”I say, lifting my wine glass towards Poppy, across the small table between us. The lighting in the restaurant is dim and golden, casting Poppy in an ethereal glow.
She lifts her glass and clinks it against mine, quickly lowering her gaze.
“Cheers,” she echoes.
There’s a palpable tension between us tonight. Perhaps tension is the wrong word. It’s more like the buzz of anticipation.
We’re getting engaged.
I’ve been hyper fixated on the weight of the ring box in the inner breast pocket of my suit. My hand keeps instinctively going to check for it, to make sure I haven’t dropped it somewhere.
The din of the dinner rush is increasing in volume over the last few minutes. We arrived for the reservation Brooke made for us right on time, but with strict instructions to wait for the proposal until all the tables are full. Once everyone inthe restaurant is well into their meals, we’ll have the most attention on us.
