Page 44 of Fake Dating in Half Moon Bay

“Guess what I scored,” Zander bragged, excitement filling his voice.

“You won the lottery?” Heather teased.

“Guess again?”

“You hired a new vet to help out?” she asked hopefully. She fiddled with her silverware. Zander had been twitchy during the hour-long drive to Richmond, British Columbia. He was super excited. Teasing him was fun.

“Not yet, but I have several applications.” He smiled. “Come on. Guess. It’s something fun. Something you’ll want to do.” He drummed his fingers on the table.

“We’re going skydiving. I’ve always wanted to try that.”

“What kind of idiot wants to jump out of a perfect good airplane?”

“I give up.” She wasn’t much for guessing games.

“I scored two tickets to Rio Del Bravo in concert in Vancouver. Tomorrow night.” He pulled them from his shirt pocket and waved them at her.

“What?” She laughed. “No way! They are my all-time favorite group. Those boots and cowboy hats. Mmm. The lead singer’s voice gives me chills. How did you get tickets? They were sold out months ago.”

“Friend of a friend. I called in a few favors. Want to go with me?”

“I can’t miss work.” Her elation fled in a heartbeat.

“I’ve already okayed it with Derrick. Your assistant can cover for you. Come on. It’s two days. A day to get there, the concert, and home the next day. One of those days is your day off.”

“You went to my boss before you asked me?”

“Sure, why not? He’s my brother. Family does favors for family. Easy peasy.”

His breezy attitude irked her. He had no right to go behind her back like that. “We need a new rule,” she said.

“Seriously?” He frowned. “I give you tickets of a lifetime, and you want new rules?” He sighed. “Fine. What rule do I have to abide by now?” he grumbled.

She counted to ten. “I’m an adult. I’m capable of asking for time off. Which I would gladly do to go to the concert with you. I don’t like you running my life. Please, in the future, let me do the asking. Don’t try to run my life.”

“Is that the rule?” He sounded annoyed but resigned.

“Yes. Look. Marv liked to control every aspect of our relationship. Where we went and when. What we spent money on. I didn’t know it at the time, but he was using me. Maybe I’m oversensitive about not being in charge.” She knew it was a crappy explanation where an apology might be better, but it was all she had.

“I apologize if I overstepped. It won’t happen again.”

His brows pinched together, and his mouth turned down. He was upset by her lack of excitement and her new rule. Well, he could suck it. She was upset that he was trying to run her life. She’d ridden in that rodeo with Marv, and she wasn’t saddling up again.

“Consider it forgotten.” Again, a poor response, but still heartfelt.

“Heather, will you please accompany me to the concert?”

“Yes, Zander, I will go to the concert with you.” His smile was like the sun breaking out from behind the clouds. She couldn’t help but grin. She wiggled in her seat. “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe you got those tickets. I’m super stoked.”

“Oh gosh. I’ll have to pack!”

“Can we eat first?” he teased.

She laughed. “Yes! I’m starving all of a sudden. This is amazing. Thank you!” She was giddy all through dinner and didn’t even mind when he took five phone calls and answered a dozen texts. At least not until the waitress brought their dessert just as his phone rang again.

He held up a finger, halting the young woman in her tracks. “I’ll be there as fast as I can.” He turned to the server. “Can we get the bill and get those desserts to go? And two cups of coffee? Thanks.”

The server looked at Heather. They both blinked in confusion. Heather shrugged. It must be important. “One black coffee, one with cream and sugar, please.”

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