Page 7 of Curvy Love

They squeal and cheer and I can’t help but grin like a fool back at them.

“Yay! Hot Taco Guy has great taste!” Paisley says.

Then that familiar doubt hits me and my smile melts.

“Why are we not smiling anymore?” Paisley asks.

“It’s not a date, date. He’s doing me a favor.” So I tell them the story. About how we sorta flirted. How he’d been waiting for me or at least that was kinda what he said and how unbelievably hot he is up close. Like just stupid handsome with perfect features and perfect hair and a toothpaste commercial smile and gah, just so much attractiveness in one spot I wasn’t sure where to look first.

“Hot Taco Man!” Willow chants.

I roll my eyes. “Then Mark showed up so Alex kissed me and oh my gosh it was the kiss to end all kisses, then Gwen walked up and suddenly Alex and I are in a pretend relationship and going to the wedding this weekend.”

Willow’s mouth drops open. Paisley tosses her head back and cackles with glee.

“It’s not that funny.”

“Not true,” Paisley says, wiping her eyes. “It’s hilarious.”

“I bet Mark wasn’t happy,” Willow says.

“Who gives a shit,” Paisley says, elbowing Willow. “He dumped her, he doesn’t get a say in who she dates now.”

“True,” I say.

“So where are y’all going tonight?” Willow asks.

I blow out a breath and look at the ceiling. “I’m going to his place for dinner. He’s cooking for me.”

“You should just marry him,” Willow says. “He likes to cook, you like to eat, seems a perfect match to me.”

I swallow my groan. Do I love to eat? Yeah, I totally do. Do I want to be reminded that my ass clearly shows how much I love food? Not so much.

Despite my love of food, I can’t cook to save my life. I can bake though. Which is why I currently have my world-famous brownies in the oven. It’s the least I can do tonight if Alex is cooking for me.

“But I’m feeling guilty about the whole thing. I mean yes, this could be an amazing opportunity for his business because y’all know Mark has good contacts. But pretending to be my boyfriend at the wedding seems extreme.”

“It was his idea,” Willow says.

“True story,” Paisley agrees.

I nod. “And this really could help him.”

“Help him get in your pants!” Paisley says.

I laugh and shake my head. “It’s not like that. I mean the kiss was hot, but it was all for show. Tonight is just about details so we get our stories straight.”

“Uh-huh,” Paisley says.

“Sure,” Willow says.

“Y’all are impossible.” I finish up my conversation with my sisters where they sorta calm my nerves, and help me decide what to wear tonight. Then I get ready and before I know it, it’s time for me to drive to his house.

I’ve got the brownies packaged up. I’m dressed nice, but I didn’t shave my legs and I’m not wearing matching undies because this is not a booty call. It’s not even a real date. My GPS alerts me that I’ve arrived at my destination and I park my car in the narrow driveway.

His house is an adorable yellow bungalow with white trim and a small, but cozy porch. I go up the short staircase to his front door and before I can even knock, he’s opened it. His dark eyes heat as they take in my form, then he looks back at my face and smiles.

My stomach flip flops in my belly and all my girly parts go on high alert.

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