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“I’ll think about it, okay?”

Her eyes widen, and she smiles her genuine smile. “Okay!”

Molly and I head to one of our favorite lunch places that serves the best soup and sandwiches. It’s called Soup'r Sandwiches. Not very original … but at least the food is good. We go for a late lunch every Monday. This allows her to catch me up on the business side of Vanderwin … but we mostly end up chatting about non-business related topics.

We order at the shabby-chic wooden bar area, then Molly grabs a table for us while I wait for our orders. I’m at ease and looking forward to our lunch despite disappointing her earlier today. But out of nowhere, I feel like a dark cloud is looming over me. My skin prickles and the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Glancing over my shoulder, I see Turd Da Punk.

Er, Todd Du Pont.

His saccharine smile is aimed at me, completely ignoring the blonde woman next to him. She has her arm linked around his and is looking up at him like he’s the best thing since sliced bread. Actually, sliced bread is lame … How about the best thing since Vanderwin Technologies glute implants?

“Brooks, what a pleasure to see you here,” Todd says in a low voice, like he’s trying to sound more masculine or something.

I nod at Todd and send his date a friendly smile. She blushes before loosening her grip on Todd’s arm and doing a little hair flip. Her gaze on me is awfully flirtatious for someone who was looking at another guy with such admiration five seconds ago. I look away from her, not wanting to give her any ideas. This is the problem with being friendly; women think I’m flirting even when I’m not.

“Monday business lunch with Molly?” Todd asks, oblivious to the woman on his arm giving me bedroom eyes. He draws out the word business, like it’s a curse word.

“Yes, I’m sure you remember this is one of her favorite cafes,” I tell him, narrowing my eyes slightly so he knows I see right through his charade. Like, he just randomly brought this woman to one of Molly’s favorite places on a day and time we were likely to be here … Yeah, I wasn’t born yesterday, Todd.

Molly must have gotten curious about what was taking so long and I see her walking toward me. She’s smiling, but there’s a question in her expression … until she spots Todd and the blonde.

Molly reaches us and stands next to me. Her body is rigid and I can sense she’s uncomfortable. Oh, and there goes her hand to her collar, toying with the edge.

“Molly!” Todd says in a surprised tone, which is obviously fake. “This is Trudy. She’s my date to Preston and Mildred’s wedding. So glad we ran into you so we could get this awkwardness out of the way.”

He looks at Molly like he pities her and something inside me cracks open. I wrap an arm around Molly’s waist and pull her into my side. I chuckle and then send Todd a faux grimace. “Yes, this definitely saves some awkwardness at the wedding—because I’ll be there too. I’m Molly’s date.”

I’m like the handsome version of the incredible Hulk, breaking apart to save my woman. Okay, I wish she was my woman. But as of two seconds ago, she is my fake girlfriend … and nobody messes with my fake girlfriend.

Todd’s eyes widen slightly before he forces a smile on his face. But his nostrils are flaring, so I know I’m getting to him.

I glance down at Molly, who’s still nestled against me. She fits perfectly, just like I always knew she would. Her cheeks pinken as she looks up at me with wide eyes. A smirk tugs at my lips, and I wink at her, urging her to play along.

Her eyes twinkle when realization hits her that this is me agreeing to be her wedding date … despite the embarrassing repercussion if my brothers find out.

She giggles and brings a hand up to my chest. “I’m so happy we both have dates and this won’t be weird.”

She smiles at Todd and his date. Trudy grins back at her before clapping her hands together gleefully. “Oh, how fun! Maybe we can go on a double date!”

Todd’s head whips over to his date. His face has horror written all over it. Molly’s hand starts to slip away from my chest, but I grab it with my free hand to keep it there. Resting right over my heart.

Todd catches the movement and focuses on us again. “So, you two finally got together, huh?”

“Yeah, we went on our first official date Saturday. And we have another one planned for tonight.” I release my hand from Molly’s and boop her nose playfully.

She rolls her lips together like she’s trying not to laugh. “Oh yes, I can’t wait for tonight. It’s so sweet of you to plan our dates and remember them.” Her face pales as soon as the words leave her mouth, like she’s shocked she said that outloud.

“I could never forget you, sugar bear.” I kiss the top of her head, allowing my lips to linger for a few seconds. The subtle, feminine scent of her shampoo is making me weak in the knees. I have to force myself to remove my mouth and nose from her hair.

I risk another glance at Todd and Trudy. Trudy is scrolling through her phone, looking bored. But Todd has a maniacal smile on his face, his nostrils still flaring wildly.

Molly grabs my arm gently. “Oh, silly us! Our food has been sitting here getting cold.”

I chuckle and turn to get the tray that holds our chicken salad croissant sandwiches and tomato basil soup. “Well, great seeing you guys,” I say confidently before turning and walking away.

“See you at the wedding!” Molly calls over her shoulder as she follows me, looping her arm through mine.

I could definitely get used to her touching me so much.