Page 45 of Make Her Mine

I just lift a brow. Everyone at this table might know this is fake, but the rest of the restaurant has to buy it. And if she were my girlfriend, I would definitely be touching her every chance I got. All this bare skin in this dress? I would absolutely be running my finger back and forth along her smooth, creamy skin, reminding her I’m right here, that she is leaving with me later, and that there will be a lot more touching to come.

At that thought, I have to shift in my chair.

It’s going to be very important that I remember this is all fake too.

That won’t be hard. No one knows better than I do that Harlow Hansen is not generally my type.

I tend to like women who like me.

As Harlow settles into an easy conversation with my sister and Kaelyn about wedding plans, I look around the restaurant. It's busy tonight, but I know everybody in the room, including the group that pulls my attention with raucous laughter. They’re at a table near the bar, and the loudest one is none other than Zach Nelson.

I look at my brother. “Coincidence?”

Carver lifts a shoulder. “Joe and Phoebe decided we should come down here for dinner instead of their house,” he says. “That’s all I know.”

Kaelyn overheard me though, and she shakes her head. “Of course it’s not a coincidence. Adrianne told my mom about your situation, and they decided this needed to be public right away.”

“And she knew Nelson had a reservation tonight?” I guess.

Kaelyn just grins.

That is absolutely something Phoebe would do.

“Well,” I say. “I’d rather have your mom on my side than the other.”

Kaelyn laughs. “You know my mom loves some good, fun drama,” she says. “Especially fun drama she can be a part of.”

“Especially fun drama she can help stir up,” Carver says.

I move my hand up Harlow’s back, dragging the pads of all four fingers up her spine. I love the little shiver I feel go through her. I rest my hand on the back of her neck, stroking my thumb up and down the side of her throat. “Well, we’ll take all the allies we can get. The fun of torturing Zach isn’t something we would selfishly keep to ourselves.”

From here, Zach can clearly see our table. Harlow’s and my backs are to him on this side but that gives him an even better view of how we sit and touch each other. And it doesn’t take a genius to realize that these chairs were left open by our friends and family on purpose.

I grin. Having a team is going to be fun.

I’m surprised a moment later, when Harlow’s hand lands on my thigh. She runs her palm up and down, then squeezes.

I give her a little side eye, but she continues to talk with Graham.

Anyone looking on would see two people dating, casually but lovingly touching one another.

I give her neck a little squeeze, and she runs her hand up a little higher.

I am struck by how much I like her touch.

That could be problematic.

For one, there’s no sense getting used to it.

For another, letting Harlow too close to the family jewels could end up being a mistake. This is an act after all—she’s not actually fond of me and that’s a particularly vulnerable body part to be letting a wild card like my pretend girlfriend get too friendly with.

“You should come over after this,” I hear Harlow say to Ginny and Graham. “We can watch it and make popcorn.”

“Do you mean spicy popcorn, or chocolate marshmallow popcorn?” Ginny asks.

I already know the answer.

Harlow rolls her eyes. “We could compromise with just regular popcorn I guess,” she says, her tone indicating that is the most boring thing she’s ever heard.

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