Page 73 of Beau & Autumn

That cute little line appears between her brow as she frowns. “I love it, but that’s not the —”

“If you love it, then I did my job as a fantastic fake-husband, right?”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“Do what?”

“Be this nice. You know you can go about things the way you usually do. We don’t have to sit and eat together and talk about our day.”

My heart pounds in my chest at the loss of her so soon. Why would she say that? “I like hearing about what you did. It makes my mundane day seem a little less pathetic.”

“Beau, your job is not pathetic! Don’t say that.”

“No, but it’s not exciting either like yours. Not that I’m complaining. It could be worse and at least I get to tell the boss where to shove it without getting fired.”

She lets out a small laugh. “I can just picture the look on Gabe’s face if you told him where to shove it.”

I laugh too.

“Would it be okay if I take a shower?” She says after a pause.

I frown. “Autumn?”

She takes another bite of her food and looks up at me. “Umm, hmm?”

“You don’t have to keep asking me to use stuff okay? My house is your house now.”

“Shit, I keep forgetting, sorry.”

I feel Bruiser brush up against my legs as he passes by. He’s fitted into the new house easily. Being an indoor cat, he just needs all his creature comforts and he’s pretty much set up.

“Stop apologizing. You know where everything is, and if you need something just let me know and I can run out and get it for you.”

“You’re so sweet, dear husband of mine.” She smirks, and once again, I feel my heart constrict.

“I aim to please.”

She snorts.

I look up. “What?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing.”

“Do I have to tickle it out of you?”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

I waggle my fork at her. “Try me.”

She bites her bottom lip. I think she’s unsure if she wants to reveal what she’s about to say, but she does so anyway. “That’s a famous Fifty Shades quote.”

“Fifty Shades?”

“Of Grey. Christian Grey.”

“Oh.” I scratch my head. “The dude who likes to tie up his girlfriend?” I like that her cheeks instantly heat up. So she likes to read dirty romance? Interesting.

“It’s actually a love story.” I love how she tries to defend it.

---