“I agree.”
“If I still don’t feel good this afternoon, I’ll call,” she promises.
I sigh, studying her, looking for clues about what could be wrong. “Okay.”
The moment she’s gone, Finn starts in again. “So what’s this spinny thing you do?”
Hope giggles. “It’s pole dancing, Finn.”
My brother stares at her. It’s like she’s put him in a damn trance by saying his name. Or maybe it’s that she’s finally looked his way. Or maybe he’s imagining his best friend pole dancing.
I shudder. Shit. I don’t want to think about what that would do to him. With a shake of my head, I focus on Hope. “Anyway, you should come.”
She shrugs, her fairy-tale red hair dancing around her shoulders. “I’ll see if my mom can watch the kids?—”
“I’ll watch them,” Finn blurts out.
She gives him a soft smile. “You already do so much. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Yeah, Finn. You really do a lot here,” I agree, smirking. “When was the last time you did something for yourself? Like go on a date?”
He glowers at me. “Not all of us are Boston’s Bachelorette, you know. How are things with Scott, by the way? Didn’t see him at the game last night.”
I kick out beneath the table, aiming for him, but hit nothing but air. “I ended it with him. Wasn’t feeling it.”
My brother chuckles. “Right. So who’s next?”
“What do you mean who’s next?” JJ’s brows pull low as he looks from Finn to me.
“I think I’m going to get the baby cleaned up,” Hope says, her eyes darting around the room.
“I’ll help you,” Finn says, apparently ready to walk away from the fire he just started.
JJ stares me down from across the table while I start stacking plates. “We should get this cleaned up. I have to go soon.”
“Right.” He stands, his chair scraping harshly against the floor. “For your bachelorette spread.”
“JJ.” I huff, glowering at him.
His scoff is laced with disgust. “Excuse me if I’m not thrilled that my girlfriend is going on dates with other guys.”
I cough out a laugh. “Girlfriend?” With a shake of my head, I stride for the kitchen. “Unbelievable.”
He storms in a moment later and drops the plates onto the counter beside the sink. “What the hell did I say wrong now?”
I spin to face him, scrub brush in hand. “You didn’t even ask. You just assume I’m your girlfriend.”
“We love each other and we’re sleeping together. Hell, we even live together. What else would I call you?”
A sardonic laugh bursts out of me. “Oh, JJ, don’t be this dumb, please.”
He balls his hands into fists at his sides. “I don’t see how I’m being the dumb one here.”
“My brother was baiting you,” I say with a sigh, suddenly exhausted. “And you walked right into it. You know we need to keep this a secret for the time being. I can’t be your girlfriend when you still have awife.”
Eyes darting between mine, he grits his teeth.
I press my lips together to stop myself from smiling and grasp his wrist. “I love you,” I remind him. “This dating thing is just for the magazine. I agreed to the series. You know this. But I’m not your girlfriend. Not yet. We may not like the situation, but until you’re officially divorced, we have to keep it to ourselves. You get that, right?”
