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“It’s hard to imagine.” He reached for the door.
I liked how he saw me. I walked past him into the crowded bar. He wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Well, let’s see if anyone is going to believe us,” I said.
“I’m sure they will.”
My heart raced, and it wasn’t just from touching him. I swallowed and directed him to a back table. As we approached, I waved. “Hey, we just finished dinner. Sorry I’m late.”
Miley grabbed another chair, and everyone pushed in.
Britney asked, “Dinner?”
I met Hope’s gaze and hoped she would forgive me for lying. “Our second night out together.”
Kelly asked, “Together together?”
We sat, and I gazed at Kir. He nodded. “Yeah. I would say… we’re dating.”
My lips curved, and I took his hand. “You’d label it that, Kir?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Are we eating at the same table tomorrow night too?”
A server brought us glasses. “No. I like that you've made it official so easily,” I said.
The music changed. Kir gazed across the table. “I’m not Charlie.”
Charlie and Kir stared at each other as Charlie said, “Hey, now. I’m happily engaged.”
Kir laughed and told Hope, “And we all thank you for taking him in.”
Hope smiled. “Your mom keeps me in the family loop because Charlie doesn’t seem to. Are you taking Avril to Connecticut this weekend for Elon and Clarissa’s wedding?”
I tensed. This weekend. My heart beat faster as Kir said, “Yes, she’s my plus-one.”
Britney said, “Aww, congrats, Avril.”
Miley laughed. “And you were just saying ‘we’re friends.’”
I met Kir’s brown-eyed gaze and sighed. Part of this felt real. “To be honest, it’s been a whirlwind.”
Charlie said, “And I’m happy you’re following through on your personal challenge.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What challenge?”
“Kir said he wasn’t going to call you because you’re a good woman, so it’s good he’s breaking that promise.”
Kir shook his head and held me closer. “That’s absolutely not what I said.”
My stomach clenched. It seemed like there was a secret to why he’d agreed to be with me. I raised my eyebrow. “What was it, then?”
Kir shrugged. “I don’t want anyone’s help finding a date. And speaking of that, Bernadette’s in town and looking for Michael.”
I blinked. Clearly, there was a story there.
Charlie quickly said, “I’ll text Fuller.”
The British woman, Bernadette, must have had some history with Charlie. I picked up no romantic vibes from him, but if I was part of a secondary romantic ruse, I needed to know.
