Page 66 of The Wild Card
“Because I have to tell you,” he says. “I prefer my fantasywithromance.”
My knees are definitely about to buckle. Just like the rest of me. I’m not falling—I’mcrumplingfor this man.
“Well, hello there!” a friendly and familiar voice calls. “Don’t let me interrupt you.”
Pat is strolling up the sidewalk with a grin. Collin grumbles under his breath. “Too late.”
The interruption snaps me out of my Collin-induced trance, and I take a step back from him. When did we get so close?
“Hey, Pat,” I say. “How are you?”
“Just dandy. And how about you?” His grin is wide, and as he steps forward to give me a hug, I can tell he’s trying to get under Collin’s skin. It’s working. Collin is glaring, and Pat looks smug.
I’m not sure how to react. Especially since Collin and I talked through no details about our fake dating. Like, for example, if he’s going to be honest with his family or if we’re pretending for them too.
“I’m fine,” Collin says. “Molly’s fine. Everything is fine.” But as soon as he’s done talking, he frowns and pulls his phone out of his back pocket. With a heavy sigh, he says, “Give me a second. I need to take this. It’s our favorite family lawyer.”
“Sure, sure. I’ll just keep Molly company,” Pat says.
Collin hesitates, then throws his brother a dark look before wandering up the sidewalk with his phone pressed to his ear. I hope Thayden is calling with good news, but I doubt one videois enough to fully change the tide of public opinion. At least, not within twelve hours.
I realize then that he didn’t tell me why he’s back in Sheet Cake already. Is it too big of a stretch to hope it’s because he missed me?
“So, Molly,” Pat says. “Dad sent me over to give you a key to his place. Can I help you carry things up?”
I was planning to ask Collin—that is, if I was able to regain my sense of composure—but this works too.
“Sure! Thanks.”
I open the trunk and Pat hoists my big rolling suitcase like it’s nothing. One thing is for certain—the genetics in the Graham family can’t be beat. I grab my backpack and the smaller rolling suitcase.
We’ve just made it upstairs when Collin bursts through the door. He’s a little out of breath and is carrying a box in his arms with a duffle bag over one shoulder.
I stare at his box and bag. He stares at my rolling suitcases.
“What are those?” he asks.
“It’s all my stuff. Tank said I could stay here until I find a place since he’ll be in Austin,” I say. “Why do you have a box?”
As Collin drops his stuff, Pat starts to laugh. He hands me the key and then walks to the door, clapping a hand on Collin’s shoulder.
“I think you two just became roommates.”
FROM THE NEIGHBORLY APP
Subject: The Last Graham Standing
The_Real_Shell-E
Ugh. The last Graham brother appears to be off the market.
DeltaDeltaDelta
I can’t stand Molly. The way she pretends to be sooooo relatable. Whatever. Totally cringe. I blocked her months ago. Collin can do better.
WayneNGarthBrooks
My daughter loves Molly. Her content is wholesome and she’s a good role model for young girls. She couldn’t have found a better guy.
