I put the key in the ignition and start her up, then roll down the window. “Are you coming?”
He throws open the door and looks at the tiny space. “You really hate me, don’t you?” He half-falls, half-crams himself into the seat, and I can’t help but laugh. He shoves his middle finger in my face while I pull out of the spot.
I bite his hand playfully.
He growls and then adjusts, trying to put his seat back more, but it doesn’t budge. “Why do you keep doing this to me?”
“I like putting big things in tight spaces, I guess.”
When he doesn’t react, I give him a quick glance before leaving the garage. He’s stone cold, glaring. Is he upset?
“What?” I ask when he doesn’t stop.
“You know I haven’t gotten laid!”
“Now you know how I felt.” It’s bad how much I like his admission.
I crack the windows, inhaling the air to clear my head. I’d never move back to Georgia, or the South for that matter, but it still feels like home. I miss the weather and warmth on my skin year-round. Snow is bullshit.
Wolfe rolls down his window fully and sticks his head out like the golden retriever he is. His happiness is infectious, and I try to absorb as much of it as possible before we have to do this.
“You didn’t tell them, right?” he asks after I park in front of the rental house I booked. “I want it to be a surprise.”
“No, I wasn’t explaining this before it happens.” I shudder to think how that would have gone over with my sister. “But I havea plus one to the wedding if she ‘meets my boyfriend before’ and that was her mistake.”
“What did she say when you said you were bringing a date? Did you tell her it was me?”
“I just said I’m bringing someone. I’m not giving her time to change the rules. She can’t say she doesn’t know you. I’m also baby-stepping this in case you back out.”
“Not a shot. I’ve already taken my vow of celibacy!” Wolfe slips his hand into mine. “We’re platonic soulmates for life, and everyone will know it.”
My heart sinks a little as he squeezes my hand. I can’t let myself want this.
“What’s the matter?” He stops pulling my arm until I do, too.
“Just not looking forward to family.” I turn to face him instead of getting my bag. “What?”
“You need to enjoy this.”
“I can’t. You know how they are. I just need to get through it.”
“I’m here. You should have fun playing into it.”
“I don’t know if I can.” I get my bag and then find the lockbox for the rental key and open the door.
“What is your damn hangup now?” He corners me once we’re inside.
“They aren’t going to buy it. They are going to think we’re fucking with them.” I sigh, not wanting to have the conversation again, but it’s inevitable, and Wolfe doesn’t drop things.
“I thought we worked this out. I’m not seeing anyone else.”
“It’s more than that.”
“Why won’t they buy it?”
I lift my face to look into his eyes, leaning into the wall to get some space between us. “Because they know you. You and Steph were all over each other every chance you got. Us holding hands isn’t going to cut it.”
His brows knit as a serious frown forms on his lips.
