Page 65 of Holding Penalty

Instantly, I’m on my feet, rushing to the door. I have no idea what I’m planning on doing. I just know my body immediately entered fight mode and needs to do something.

Until my phone buzzes again in my hand.

PIPER

Whoops, sorry. SHE made me drop the phone

The panic washes away when she sends me a new picture: a selfie of her next to Cheesecake.

A strange, warm feeling twirls around my heart as I look at the picture of my fake wife smiling next to the capybara I’ve grown strangely fond of.

I didn’t want a pet. I sure as shit didn’t want a relationship. And, yeah, Cheesecake isn’t really my pet. And Piper isn’t really my wife, no matter what the laws of Texas say.

But even though I never intended for either of those things to be in my life, the idea of that demanding animal never wandering to my house and demanding my attention or the idea of never hearing Piper’s footsteps on my floor or her giggles bounce off my walls while she’s reading one of her books … I don’t like either thought. Especially the last one.

PIPER

lol, she left already

PIPER

I gave her one scratch behind the ear and she turned around and walked away

I chuckle entirely too hard at that scenario.

ME

Cheesecake is a woman who knows what she wants and takes it

PIPER

She’s an icon

ME

Hahaha

PIPER

Oh my gosh. Did you just laugh through text message?

PIPER

I’m taking a screenshot of this

ME

Is that really necessary?

PIPER

Seeing Nash Miller type out laughter? Yes, it’s necessary. Not screenshotting this would be like not taking a picture of Bigfoot if you saw him during a hike

ME

Am I THAT much of a grump?

PIPER