“Silvie’s kindadating Cal,” I explain to Luke and then laugh as she glares at me. “Okay, they are not actually dating. They’re about to get fake married.” Though Juniper and I think they have real chemistry, but I’m not going to mention that part.
“We are definitely not dating,” she says quickly. “We’re going to get fake married.” She blushes and shakes her head as she looks around. “It sounds so strange to say that out loud, but it’s for a good cause,” she says quickly, lest we think it was for a bad one. “We’re getting married so I can get my inheritance. But it’s not for real. It’s fake. Cal is a good guy for helping me.”
“Cal Bennett?” Luke looks at me in surprise. “As in Cal from Cocktails & Chaos?”
“Yep.” I nod, laughing loudly at the shock in his eyes. “Guess he’s not just mixing up sweet concoctions of alcohol to please our throats.”
“I guess not.” He bites down on his lower lip and then reaches over to give Juniper a hug. “How are you, Juni? I heard the business is doing well.”
“We’re trying our best. You’ll have to come down to the book mobile and buy some books. I bet Mia can find you a good one.”
“I did help Carter choose a good book.” I catch Wendy’s eye, and we both burst out laughing. “I bet I can help you as well, Luke.”
“I thought you sold mainly romance books?”
“We do. Sweet and steamy. And some are downright erotic.”
“I say you get an erotic one, Luke.” Josie nods enthusiastically. “Teach yourself some new skills.”
“Who says the skills I have aren’t erotic enough?”
“Me.” I hit him lightly in the arm, and his eyes catch mine. “As your fake girlfriend, I’m going to need you to step up your game in the bedroom. And you can do that by buying as many erotic romances as you can fit into your suitcase.”
“I’m to take them home with me?” His lips twitch, and I watch as he runs his fingers through his dark hair and pushes it back. “I should be offended that you all think I need help in the sack. I can assure you that I don’t.”
“I don’t think Carter needed it either,” Wendy says and then immediately blushes a deep red. “Not that I know, of course.”
“Of course not.” Josie teases. “And when I sayofcourse not, I mean, yes, you do.”
“Josie!” Wendy glares at her, and we all burst out laughing.
I move back over to Luke and reach up to grab his face. He looks down at me in surprise at my touch, and there’s an unfamiliar warmth in his gaze that makes me shiver.
“Are you thirsty?” I ask him, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. “Want to grab a drink and have a quick talk before we head down to the beach to meet up with Rex and his blushing bride?” I don’t bother to mention our parents because I know he is aware that all four of them are ready to bombard us with questions.
“I am thirsty. And I would love to chat before we feed ourselves to the wolves.”
We share a smile, and I turn to Juniper.
“You okay if Luke and I go and grab a drink and chat before we head over to the engagement party?”
“Of course.” Her brown eyes are warm and comforting as she nods. “I think we’ll walk over in about ten minutes. If I see anyone, I’ll tell them you guys are on the way.”
“Thanks! And if you see Rafe, tell him to just ignore me,” I joke. “Or hold him hostage, please. I have a feeling he’s going to be acting like frigging Hercules Poirot, trying to solve a case.”
“You got it.” Juniper laughs. “If I see Rafe, I will try and keep him occupied. Operation Keep Rafe Away is officially in effect.”
“Thanks, Juni. I’ll see you girls later.” I offer the others a quick wave, and Luke and I head toward the other side of the park.
He walks in his normal fast fashion, and I reach out to grab his arm.
“Hey, slow down, Usain Bolt. I’m in heels, remember? I can’t walk that fast.”
“Sorry, Mia.” He stops dead and looks down at my feet. “I almost forgot you’re a klutz in heels.”
“I am not a klutz. I just can’t walk fast.” I see that he’s about to burst into laughter, and I swat him on the shoulder. “Just because I couldn’t walk in heels in high school doesn’t mean I can’t walk now.” I glare at him. “Do not laugh. It’s not funny.”
“I’m not laughing.” His tone is light, but I can see his nostrils flaring. “And I’m totally not thinking of the night we went out with Juniper, Josie, and my two friends from Chess club Sam, and Mark to Seashell Diner for burgers, and you pretended you were a supermodel walking on the runway and tripped and fell over a penny on the ground.”
