Page 47 of The Wild Card
“Even better. Because this comes with food.”
Nan arrives with our orders at that very moment, and Thayden must have called ahead because she has a plate for him too. I had not even a hint at what the Howdy Sunshine breakfast Collin ordered was, but it looks amazing. My stomach growls at the sight of the scrambled eggs and French toast dusted with powdered sugar.
“Big Mo said to tell you hi, but he’s slammed at the moment. I’ll be right back with your coffee,” she tells Thayden. “Anyone need anything else?”
“A new lawyer,” Collin grumbles.
I bite back a laugh and pick up my fork, suddenly starving and more than a little relieved at Thayden’s interruption.
“This looks perfect, Nan,” Thayden says. “Thank you. Just put all this on my tab.”
“Does that make this a working visit?” Collin asks, scooting a little farther into the booth. Both men hardly fit, but Thayden doesn’t seem nearly as bothered by the close quarters as Collin. In fact, he inches even closer to Collin, who’s now pressed up against the wall.
I’m enjoying watching this play out while wondering exactly how many different people have been adopted into the Graham family. Thayden seems to have a sibling or close friend vibe going on.
I’d never peg him as Collin’s lawyer, that’s for sure.
“Considering how much work we need to do and the fact that you won’t answer a text message, yes. We have business that can’t wait.”
“Maybe we could do this without Molly present? No offense, Molly.”
Weirdly, Iama little bothered. I don’t like feeling left out, even if Collin’s legal business doesn’t concern me. I stab my eggs vindictively.
You’re not a real girlfriend, I remind myself.
I wonder how long it will take for me to fully get the memo. Or for me to quell the growing desire for that to be true.
“On the contrary,” Thayden says. “Molly is a key part of this discussion.”
“I am?” I say, just as Collin says, “She is?”
Thayden’s grin is Cheshire Cat-like. “Eat up, buttercups. Then we can talk business.”
Even without jalapeños—which Collin and Thayden both insisted are necessary—this breakfast is amazing. By the time I’ve found the iron will to keep me from running my tongue over the plate, the headache I woke up with is gone. I’m not sure the meal would help if I had an actual hangover instead of a mild one, but I have to think … maybe.
Collin seems very smug about it, but all pleasantness disappears once Nan takes our plates and Thayden pulls out his phone. “Now that we’re all in better moods, let’s discuss how you two can help each other.”
“I’m sorry—how we can help each other?” Collin says. “I might be confused.”
He’s not the only one.
“Sorry, I’ll speak more slowly,” Thayden says, then slows to half-speed. “Let’s … discuss?—”
“Cut the cuteness,” Collin says. “In what way do you think Molly and I can help each otherthat involves you?”
“The little—”Thayden glances around and lowers his voice—“fake relationship you two have going on.”
My cheeks immediately heat, and Collin drops his head into his hands with a groan. Somehow the whole thing seems worse with a lawyer addressing it. Can I get in legal trouble for lying in an interview? And are wesoobvious that everyone just figured out what we were doing?
But then Thayden says, “I’ve got an idea for how the arrangement can benefit you both.”
“It wasn’t really an arrangement,” I say. “More like … an accident that got away from me. We were just going to talk about how to end it.”
I mean, that’s what weneedto discuss—how I could keep my job but not keep Collin stuck playing the part of my boyfriend.
I remember him saying last night that it wasn’t a hardship, but I’m not holding him to this nonsense. Also, I don’t know how I’m going to not fall head over heels for him and get all attached to being part of his family in the process.
The best option is to figure out the easiest exit strategy for us both.
