Page 44 of No Rings Attached
I wanted to tell her that I didn’t need her thanks, but instead I grumbled out some response that she seemed to somehow understand.
“It’s going to be okay,” Glamma said. “I have a good feeling about this. And we’ll assist in preparing you to face your family, Ellie. Right Martha?”
“Of course! What do you think, Sofia? Let’s host a crash course for the two of them tonight. I’ll make dinner, you reach out to the girls, and we’ll get these two in tip-top boyfriend/girlfriend shape before tomorrow.”
“Yes! Perfect idea.” Glamma patted Ellie’s arm. “I’m going to start calling in the troops and we can meet around 5:30. But in the meantime, you’re going to take a nap.”
“Oh, no. I don’t nap.” Ellie was about to find out that Glamma didn’t understand the wordno.Especially not when she was in full-on helping mode.
“Nonsense. Martha will get you a cup of tea.”
Ellie cringed.
“Oh, you don’t like tea? Coffee, then. And some of her freshly-baked cookies. You’ll relax until tonight. Drew, you go do whatever it is you need to do now, but don’t be late.” Glamma tugged Ellie from my arms. I resisted the urge to pull her back to me.
Glamma’s knowing smirk didn’t help the irritation that scratched beneath my skin.
“See you later, Drew,” Martha called out. I reluctantly waved goodbye to Ellie, who looked like a deer in headlights as she was being led into the B&B by my grandmother.
I had no doubt when I arrived tonight that Glamma and her friends would be ridiculous, but I also knew they’d circle the wagons around us and do everything they could to protect Ellie.
And that’s just what Ellie needed to see, to feel, to experience.
This fake boyfriend gig came with a few perks. Mainly a family and extended family that would do anything for you.
And now, Ellie had that too.
I just hoped she was ready for all that togetherness and the chaos that came with it.
Chapter Eleven
ELLIE
Set ground rules.
Don’t let your heart get too carried away.
Remember, this is allfake.
I recited what I considered my new mantra until I almost believed it.
After I finished packing all of my bags except for the essentials I’d need tonight, I took another look at the room I had to give up tomorrow morning before I headed downstairs. I really hated to leave this homey and welcoming space. The walls were a work of art. Navy and ivory toile wallpaper featured provincial vignettes and singing birds over an intricately carved chair rail and wainscotting. The furniture was comfortable and old, but classic.
As I left all but one suitcase by the door of my room, feminine voices filtered up. I tried to listen in as I descended the main staircase lugging the small bag with me. I figured I might as well start bringing them down now.
“No, they need to sit on the couch side-by-side.”
“Maybe they can feed each other. That would be romantic.”
“It’s the longing glances we have to make sure they have down pat. Everyone will know you’re in love if you’re able to do that.”
My fingers pressed into the ornate wooden banister so hard my knuckles turned white. I froze. The panic from earlier welled in my stomach again as I realized who the women were talking about.
How was I going to make a relationship with Drew look real in less than twenty-four hours?
It felt like an impossible task.
My head swung right as the front door opened, and Drew stepped inside. His beautiful brown hair fell across his forehead, and his hazel-blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he flashed his perfect smile at me. His red flannel shirt, sleeves partially rolled up, showcased strong forearms that made my mouth water. His jeans hugged his muscular thighs in a way that made me want to run my hands down and around to grab hold of that rounded backside that I’d been admiring earlier.
