“Really?” he asks, perking up.
Yeah, really, Renley?
Are you sure you know what you’re agreeing to?
Not like you can get out of it now.
“Yeah, but I don’t want it to be a thing, like where I’m your mentor. I have a lot going on and I don’t have time to watch over everything you do.”
“Then let me help you. You’re going to need help at your sweets store, right? I can be helpful.”
“Can you? You just told me you haven’t worked a day in your life.”
“But I’m a good listener and learn quickly and most importantly, I have good intentions.”
“Yeah, trying to propose to me.”
He smirks. “Is that so bad? I mean, sorry that I want to marry you. Pardon me for attempting to spend the rest of my life with you.” The sarcasm is thick.
“You don’t even know me.”
He laughs. “Come on, what do you say? Let me help while I attempt to pursue you.”
“You have lost your mind if you think I’m going to let that happen.”
“Then just ignore the pursuit. I can do that on my own time. But you’ll let me help you, teach me how to be a real human?”
That unfortunately makes me laugh, which of course makes him perk up. “Are you asking me to show you how to be a real boy?”
His smile stretches from ear to ear. “I am.”
I sigh and look out the window. How did I even get here? A few days ago, my biggest worry was if I was going to win the bid for Rudder’s. Now I have some random stranger attempting to marry me, thirty thousand dollars to invest in said store, and a man asking me to teach him real-life things. This is not what I expected going into this summer.
But from what it seems, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to shake him. So…might as well just deal with it.
“Fine, we need more ground rules.”
“Lay them out for me, Gossy. I’m all ears.”
Chapter Fifteen
THEO
Rule Number One: Theo is not allowed to buy Renley and Kitty’s affection.
Rule Number Two: Theo is allotted five visitations with Renley each day.
Rule Number Two, Subsection a: At least one visitation is required a day, and both participants must engage in conversation.
Rule Number Three: Theo is not allowed to flirt with Renley.
Rule Number Three, Subsection a: No winking.
Rule Number Four: Theo is not allowed to propose to Renley.
Rule Number Five: Renley will teach Theo how to be a real boy.
Rule Number Six: Renley isn’t allowed to date anyone during the summer.
