Page 22 of Pretend You Love Me
“I’m a free thinker. What can I say?”
He continues shaking his head. “I think you missed the point of the book.”
“I’m certain I did.”
He’s still smiling, and I’m still glowing. “My mom would have liked you.”
God, he’s trying to break my ovaries now. We need to return to the passive aggressive (and outright aggressive) brooding. I’m not here for a summer fling. I’m here on a mission. I can’t get distracted by this handsome, angry man.
I clear my throat. I’d like more than anything to ignore that comment, but it would be rude.
“That’s kind. Should we continue the tour?”I ask.
He clears his throat too and steps back.
“Yes,” he says as he follows me out of the room and then shows me the rest of the downstairs. He just points up the stairs and says, “That’s the upstairs.”
“Captain Obvious returns,” I say.
“It’s just bedrooms.”
“Am I banned from that wing? Is that where you keep your dying rose?”
“What?”
“Your dying rose? From when the witch turned you into a beast?”I say.
He narrows his eyes into slits. “What the hell are you talking about Ginger?”
“Have you never seenBeauty and the Beast?”
“Of course I’ve seen it,” he grumbles. “I just don’t have a fetish about it.”
I scoff. “I don’t either.’
“Whatever you say, Ginger. I don’t kink shame.”
I feel my face redden all the way to the tips of my ears, and he just smirks.
We finish the tour out on the patio.
“This is beautiful,” I say, admiring the hanging lights and lanterns. There’s a big fire pit and all kinds of potted plants and flowers. “Do you have parties here often?”
“Never,” he says, coldly.
I flash my eyes up to his.
“Not since Mom died.”
Even though it’s the most beautiful, clear, sunny summer day, the air has just turned thick.
“Well, I should get to work,” he says, looking at his watch. He swears when he sees the time.
“Of course, I’ve taken up too much time already.”
“Don’t worry about dinner tonight. I have some leftover takeout. There’s enough for both of us if you like Thai food.”
“Love it. Thank you.”
