But no, she had to be the most interesting and intriguing person I’d ever met. Go fucking figure.
Tane froze and his eyes sharpened, all teasing gone.
“Well, shit!” he drawled.
I nodded, then he nodded and we stood in silence for two full seconds like a pair of jackasses. Then Tane clapped his hands like he’d just come to a conclusion.
“Right. Time to lock her down.”
I choked. “Excuse me?”
Did I say conclusion? I suppose I should’ve gone with deranged epiphany.
He launched into motion like a general preparing for war.
“First option,” he said, counting on his fingers, “you cook for her. Women love food. You make her a meal so sexy she thinks about it for the rest of her life.”
“Yeah, hold on. How does one make a meal sexy? It just sounds wrong, mate.”
“Then get better at cooking!”
I covered my face. “Tane, please—”
“Option two,” he continued, ignoring me, “we fake an injury. Something noble. You tear your ACL, I don’t know…”
He tapped his finger against his chin. “Oh, that’s good! You tear it while rescuing a kitten. She nurses you back to health. Boom. Bonded for life.”
“What is wrong with you? Didn’t youjustsay you need me?!”
“Right, right,” he relented, nodding sagely. “Back to the drawing board!”
“Can we just not?” I sighed.
“Option three — my personal favorite — you simply pick her up, throw her over your shoulder, and announce that you’re courting.”
“Tane!”
He shrugged. “Worked in my day.”
“No it did not.” I scoffed. “What, should I put a baby in her belly while I’m at it? Lock her down?”
He paused. “Now, there’s an idea. Just don’t get caught.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Don’t get caught paving the way, if you catch my drift. Anyway.” He waved the thought away. “Point is, if you’ve caught feelings, you need a strategy.”
I gaped at him in disbelief.Did he really just say what I think he said?
“Right, right. You know you soundinsane, don’t ya?”
Tane snorted, but then his face softened ever so slightly.
“Does she like you back?”
“Maybe, but she just…” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “I don’t know, actually. She’s not easy to get to know and keeps me at arm’s length … well, she tries at least, I reckon. Not giving her much of a choice, to be honest.”
“Mm.” He nodded knowingly. “This is how you know it’s real.”
