Page 63 of Strictly Pretend

I nod and he turns away, saying something that makes Mia’s husband, Grant, laugh, before he walks away. But instead of walking to me, he walks over to the table where all the barbecued food has been laid out, and helps himself to a plate.

Nice, real nice.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not expecting him to wait on me. I can get my own food. I just… I feel weird. Sad, almost. Maybe I was getting too used to being taken care of.

Mia takes a seat next to me, letting out a long breath. “Man, it’s warm tonight. I’ve covered myself head to toe with bug spray but I swear I’m getting eaten alive.”

“Won’t it be the same in the yurt?” I ask.

“Nope. Cassie’s dad paid for some experts to come in. They sprayed the whole glade. Apparently they’re the same companythat keeps Disneyland bug free.” She shrugs. “All I know is that I was a beautiful untouched canvas until now.” She scratches at her arm.

“I got you some food. You haven’t eaten all day,” Brooks says to me. I look up to see him holding out a plate. “No pork, because I know you hate it.”

I run a tongue along my lips. “You didn’t need to do that.” Now I feel like an ass and it’s all my fault.

He gives me a smile. “You think I’m gonna let my girl go hungry?”

“That’s so sweet,” Mia says. Then she shouts out to her husband. “Hey Grant, Brooks made Emma up a plate. You gonna let him out romance you?”

Grant shakes his head, smiling. “They’re still in the honeymoon phase,” he shouts back.

“Baby, we’re literally in the honeymoon phase,” she shouts back, scowling. “It’s been less than a year since you pledged your troth to me.”

“That’s the post honeymoon phase,” Grant tells her. “I got you food when we were actually on our honeymoon.”

“Only because you wanted sex.”

Brooks sniggers and our eyes meet, the action sending my heart into a little loop the loop.

“Thank you,” I tell him, taking the plate. “Want to share with me?”

Mia lets out a loud huff. “Seriously, you two need to stop being so damn sweet.”

“Sure,” Brooks says to me. So I stand up and offer him my chair. He sits down and pulls me onto his lap, my back to his chest. He picks up the fork and scoops some beef, and lifts it to my mouth.

“We’re doing the feeding thing now?” I ask him. “How old am I?”

“Just making sure you eat,” he tells me, then he lowers his voice. “I have plans for you later.”

“What plans?” Mia asks, frowning.

I laugh. But it melts away as I taste the beef. It’s delicious. My stomach gurgles loudly at the pleasure of the food. Brooks scoops up another forkful and I eat it eagerly.

“Dammit, I’m going to get my own food,” Mia says, standing. “Don’t you dare steal my seat,” she tells Brooks.

“Wasn’t planning on it. I’m happy where I am.”

I gotta hand it to the man, he’s a great actor. As soon as she’s walked over to the table I turn my head to look at him, ready to tell him he’s overdoing it.

“You all right, sweetheart?” he says in his softest voice. And I know he’s saying that as a reminder that we could be overheard.

“I’m fine, schnookums,” I say and he rolls his eyes. “Try some of the beef. It’s delicious.”

“I’ll get my own plate in a minute,” he tells me.

I huff and take the fork from him, deliberately scooping a lot of beef onto it, before lifting it to his lips. Two can play at this game.

Not that it’s a game, is it?

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