Page 5 of Fake Spring Fling

“Which is why her engagement party is a huge spectacle?”

“Exactly.” I pause, flashing her a sudden, stricken look. “I should warn you, my parents –Heather and Brian – grew up in the eighties and are still super into that era. You might be subjected to blasts of random nostalgia.”

Madison laughs. “I wish you had warned me. I could have watched some eighties movies last night.”

“Don’t worry – you’ll be living in one in a few more hours,” I laugh. “Oh, and Heather is all about being the ‘cool’ mom. I’m not even supposed to call her Mom. Now, of course, she’s working on being the coolest grandma ever. You should have seen her agonize over whether she wanted the grandkids to call her Grandma, Gammy, or Nana. It took her weeks to decide.”

“And?”

“Tanya talked her into Nana. She thinks it’s more elegant.”

“But Tanya is the one getting married. Does she have kids?”

“Not yet, but oh my god…there’s a whole chart for her timing. Married at thirty-one, baby number one at thirty-three, a second one at thirty-five, then done.” I glance over to gauge her reaction as I add, “I’m thirty-four, by the way.”

“Oh. Um, I’m…twenty-two.”

I shrug. “Pfft, twelve years ain’t so bad, is it?”

“Not at all. Girls mature faster, and according to what I’ve been reading lately, men don’t really grow up until they hit forty.”

I snort. “Very nice. Calling me childish to my face. Just for that, I’m ordering chicken fingers with ketchup for lunch.”

Madison’s sweet face is even more adorable when she tries to scowl. “Don’t you be insulting chicken fingers, buddy. Sometimes they’re amazing.”

“I agree. Which reminds me: you are in charge of choosing where we stop for coffee in about…an hour and twenty minutes. Then lunch. Plus any other stops along the way.”

“Roadside attractions! Cool!” She’s already pulling out her phone and scrolling quickly.

I love how enthusiastic Madison is about everything. There’s a lightness about her that is drawing me in. I’m already thinking about figuring out how often I can sneak in a hug, and how much casual PDA will be acceptable.

“Oh!” she exclaims. “Wanna stop and check out the World’s Largest Rag Rug?”

“I think that’s a great big raggedy yes.”

3

MADISON

Inever really liked road trips, but this five-hour conversation, with plenty of breaks for snacks and stretching, has been very illuminating. Wyatt is fascinated by chemical reactions and interactions. He insists that road stop food should have nothing whatsoever to do with nutrition, even if you’re typically a very healthy eater.

And I’m learning what it feels like to have a gigantic crush on a gorgeous, huge, strong man. I have to admit, my lower belly fluttered a bit when he lifted my suitcase as if it weighed nothing at all.

“We’re about twenty minutes away from Go Time,” he says with a grin. “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about me so far?”

I gaze out at the beautiful trees beside the highway, thinking. “I like that you’re so open about enjoying things like cooking. A lot of men aren’t into that.”

“I like to work out to keep my strength up and stay healthy, especially during the busy season when I’m facing a lot of people with colds and flus. In order to do that, I need to eat a lot. So it better be tasty, right?”

I can’t resist turning to take a good look at his shoulders and chest, and his thick right arm as his hand rests casually on the steering wheel. “Yeah, you… You don’t look like a pharmacist, to be honest.”

“I’m gonna go with…thank you?” He chuckles. “I also play a little football. Just a local bar league, but it’s a great way to stay in shape.”

“That’s one thing about working at the reception desk. I’m standing and walking around all day long, even if it’s just over a thirty-foot-square area. Then some nice, stretchy yoga after a long shift.”

“That’s great – flexibility is important.” As we turn off the highway, he glances over. Is he actually staring at my boobs? “For the record, Madison, I think you’re in great shape.”

Maybe he hasn’t noticed that I’m a bit hippy. Although I did catch him checking out my legs when I get in and out of the car.

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