Page 15 of Fake Dating in Half Moon Bay

“I guess.”

“Wow. Bank that overwhelming enthusiasm,” he teased. “Don’t you like shopping?” It was probably more that after he stole that kiss, she wasn’t his biggest fan. He wanted to regret kissing her, it was wrong. But somehow, he couldn’t find the remorse he should feel.

“Something like that. Let me finish up here and we can go. The sooner we leave, the sooner it’s over and done.”

Lexi returned and handed Zander her list and the inn’s credit card. “Use this to pay for my stuff, and whatever Heather needs for the kitchen. You kids have fun now.” Laughing, she walked away. Why did people in love think everyone else wanted to be hooked up?

They drove to a mall in Richmond, and it was a zoo. Stores were packed and kids were running everywhere. “Remind me not to go shopping on the weekend,” he groused five stores in.

“Me too.” She scooted toward him to make room for a wide stroller to pass by. “This is nuts.”

Zander laughed at the absolute frustration in her voice. “Was there anything else you wanted to do while we’re here? I mean, since we’re here anyway, we might as well get all our jobs done.”

“I wouldn’t mind hitting the bookstore. The one in town doesn’t have what I’m looking for. But I’ve got all these bags so we should probably just go.”

“I’ll run the bags to the truck and meet you in the bookstore. I’ve got time and bookstores are the one store I don’t detest.”

“Are you sure?” Her uncertain look was adorable.

“One hundred percent. Give me those.” He wrestled the bags from her hands. “Back in ten. Meet you there.”

♥♥♥

He was gone before she could formulate a response. She strode past a few stores into the massive chain bookstore. Smaller bookstores especially used ones, were more her style, but she wanted to find Jeremy Osten’s new cookbook. It was supposed to be a combination of recipes and a biography. Their local store had sold out the day it was released and didn’t have more copies yet.

She strolled the aisles pausing to look at the trinkets and notebooks. She did love a pretty notebook. She picked up one with flowers and cookies on the cover. It would be perfect for her recipes. She found a sweet romance from her favorite author before she hit the section she was looking for. Bookstores were hard on her budget. She did some mental math to ensure the costs were within the amount she set for fun things.

She was paging through the book when she sensed someone looking at her. She cast a quick peek to her left. Zander stood at the end of the next aisle watching her.

“What are you doing? That’s creepy,” she chided. It wasn’t. There was a light in his gaze that shifted something close to her heart.

“Sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt you. You were enthralled.” He grinned. “I’ve got what I needed. How about you?”

“Thanks for waiting. I think I’m good. Let’s pay and get out of here.” They had to ease between people to reach the register. She paid first and stood waiting for him. His stomach growled.

“What was that?” she teased.

“Wasn’t me. Must have been you. I can tell you’re starving. Maybe I should feed you.”

“Oh,” she raised her voice to make it a question. “I’m the hungry one? I see. Well then, you should probably feed me. I could use a snack before we head back.”

“Restaurant or the food court?” he asked.

“Food court!”

“You’re a chef and you want to eat at the food court?”

“Absolutely! I love a good greasy feast now and then. Don’t you?” She nudged him with her elbow.

He slung his arm over her shoulder. His arm was the perfect height to go around her, and he smelled incredible.She was in so much trouble. She needed to keep her distance.

♥♥♥

“What do you feel like?” he asked when they reached the edge of the food court.

“Oh, fries from Fry Guys for sure. They make the best fries in the state. A burger and maybe a shake as well. How about you?”

“I can live with that. Shall we divide and conquer?”

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