Page 19 of For the Love of Animals

“Grandma’s been complaining of chest pains, but since she found out about the proposal, it’s given her a new lease of life. She’s even ordered an extra cake.”

“We’re not the only people involved. Have you forgotten Nate? Because he’s standing right here.”

“He’s crazy about you. I can tell just by looking.”

Teo was the crazy one if he thought that. But when I glanced at Nate, he shrugged.

“It’s for less than a week, right?”

“You can’t seriously be considering going along with this?”

“Why not? It’ll be worth it to see you on your knees in front of me.”

That pig. “I hate both of you.”

Nate’s arm tightened around my waist, and his hand slid down an inch. I shot him a warning glare, but he ignored it.

“Think of your grandma, querida. She’d want to see you happy before she passes.” He let go and pantomimed a look of shock, mouth open and one hand on each cheek. “What do you think? Convincing enough?”

“Raise your eyebrows a little more and it’ll be perfect,” Teo said.

“This is the worst idea you’ve ever had,” I told my brother. “And considering you once brought a baby coral snake home in your glasses case, that’s a real achievement.”

Now Nate’s eyebrows rose. “You really did that?”

“I was eight years old and I liked the colours.”

“He wanted to keep it as a pet,” I added.

“Snake or no snake, you need to do this for Grandma.” Teo held the promise ring out. “Here you go.”

I took it from him like it was poisonous. A plain silver band, engraved on the inside with the words I’ll always be yours. Ugh. I never wanted to belong to a man, and definitely not one as bossy as Nate.

“Bro, I’m gonna add one condition,” my fake fiancé-to-be said, and I screwed my eyes shut. Fiancé-to-be? I’d somehow walked through the portal to hell.

“Anything. A romantic meal? A honeymoon?”

“We’ve got a busy week, so the puppy’s yours until Monday.”

“Ooh, deal! Pasqual loves dogs, and so do I.”

The front door opened behind us again, and this time, it was my mamá.

“Carmen? Why are you still outside? The drinks are getting warm, and Aunt Teresa’s brought her home-made guacamole.”

Nate’s hand came back, an inch lower than before, and I gritted my teeth rather than make a scene.

“Just coming, Mamá.”

“No more tequila, querida.”

Nate took the glass from me. I tried half-heartedly to get it back, but he held it out of reach.

“I need it.”

“If you drink any more, you won’t be able to ask your little question later.”

“Which is the exact reason I’m drinking.”

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