Page 36 of The Fun Part
Then why do you keep throwing us together?I’ve committed to the fake-boyfriend scheme, so it’s too late to let on that I’m onto her. Besides, direct confrontation got me nowhere last time.
“I’m a big girl,” I say.
“You’re a lady.”
“Whatever.”
She adjusts her leg on the recliner. “Okay. I’ve said my piece.”
Cal returns with two glasses of red wine, handing one to Mom and one to me. I take a long drink.
Mom smiles sweetly. “Thank you, Cal. Please help yourself to something to drink. Josh has beer if you prefer that.”
“I’m good.” Cal sits next to me, widening his legs in typical manspreading, which makes it easy for me to shift ever so slightly so our knees are touching.
And then I put my hand on his knee in a bold gesture. Energy surges through my hand, a shock reminder of the chemical attraction. I dimly sense Mom’s stare.
Cal takes my wandering hand and entwines our fingers together, like it’s completely natural.
“Are you two officially a couple?” Mom asks. “I know people nowadays wait a while to say it’s official.”
“It’s official,” Cal says.
“It’s complicated.” Why did I say that? I’m supposed to be faking a relationship, not confessing the truth. That I’m all mixed up with inconvenient feelings and lust.
Cal stares at me. “It is?”
“So it’s casual?” Mom asks, looking from me to Cal.
“Uh,” he says.
“It’s new,” I say. “That’s why it’s complicated.”
Mom nods. “Good communication goes a long way. If you understand expectations from the start, then there’s no complications.”
“Is that what you and Dad did,” I ask pointedly, “before the war?” Their frenemy war is legend in town. It’s hysterical.
Mom narrows her eyes.
“War?” Cal asks.
“I’ll go see if your dad needs help.” Mom lowers the recliner’s footrest and attempts to get up with her ankle boot. Cal springs into action, helping her to her feet and handing her the crutches.
“Thank you,” she says with great dignity before making her way to the kitchen.
Cal returns to my side, leaning close. “What war? Seems like a touchy subject.”
“Oh, it is. I’ll let her tell it, or you can ask Dad for an alternate-universe version.”
He looks so adorably baffled with his brows crinkled like that. I smooth them out.
“What are you doing?” he whispers. I suppress a shiver as memories of his sexy whispers flood me.
“What we talked about.” My voice sounds a little breathy. I attempt to put some distance between us, but I’m caught between the armrest of the sofa and Cal’s body. Temptation has never been so strong.
God, I want him. He smells so good.
“What’s with saying it’s complicated?” he asks.
