I almost regret asking her to stay.
Then again, I don’t.
Weneedto learn to tolerate each other if we’re going to make this work. If we’re going to get past her urge to scratch out my eyes, or my temptation to carry her off to the bedroom over my shoulder.
We need to act like sane people.
There’s too much riding on this deal to blow it now.
“You know, I researched you more last night. Pretty deep dive before I agreed to something totally crazy.” She glances across at me.
“Yeah? I’m not surprised. You don’t just jump in and fake-marry a dude without knowing something.”
“Why pet food?” she asks.
Unexpectedly blunt. But she’s still just staring, waiting for an answer.
“Why pet food,” I repeat.
“You mentioned it at the bar. When I looked it up, I found your website. Pretty well put together. I wasn’t expecting a whole white paper linked to the mission statement.” She smiles curiously.
“I didn’t write it. I have a couple nutritionists who roped their peers into helping me refine my plan.”
“Well, obviously. You don’t get to addscientistto your skills.”
I snort. “If you didn’t sound like such a smart-ass, I might think that was a real compliment.”
“It was. You’re welcome.”
“Shit, Lena. I’d hate to hear what you sound like when you’re insulting someone.”
“Usually I’m happier than this,” she assures me as she sips her beer.
Biting back a smile, I drop down on the sofa, my bottle hanging loosely in one hand. “I know it’s a crowded market. I’ve heard a hundred reasons to bail out before I blow a ton of money and wind up with nothing to show for it. But it’s important to give everyone a fair chanceto help their pets live long, happy lives. That shouldn’t just depend on money.”
“Fair. Guess you really meant it when you told me that story about the army dog.” She pauses, and I nod. “That’s admirable for Daddy Dollars. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose the nepo baby label with your haters.”
My gut quakes as I snort and shake my head.
“Tragic. How wouldyouhate me, then?” I growl, trying to look unaffected.
Honestly, I fucking hate being told my efforts only mean anything thanks to the family name. Especially because it’s true, minus my stunning success with the dating app.
“It would be a little more convenient,” she says, idly twirling a strand of her hair in the evening light.
“For pretending you’re in love with me? I could see that.”
Her cheeks brighten, and she looks down. “I thought you were a mammoth asshole the first time we met.”
“And the second. Am I down to dwarf elephant yet?”
That thin smile returns, igniting her eyes. They look almost golden in the light.
“Don’t push your luck. You weren’t too great the third time, come to think of it.”
“Only at the end.”
“And the next day.”
