Page 18 of Fake Dating an Orc Cowboy

Her smile didn’t last long enough. “I’ve managed to avoid him except a few times where I pretty much bailed out of Mom and Dad’s house as soon as I saw he was there. It was easy to avoid him the rest of the time, really. I refused invitations, worked late shifts to avoid get-togethers, and I even skipped Sunday brunch at Mom and Dad’s to keep from seeing him. Now, there’s no escaping it. No running. No excuses. Just the upcoming slap of reality.” She rubbed her belly harder.

I walked over and took her phone from her, carefully placing it on the bed. Then I tugged her into my arms. “It will be alright. You’re not facing this by yourself.”

She sagged into me, and it felt wonderful to give her comfort. “I appreciate you being here, Ostor. I’d be a wreck if I was dealing with this by myself.”

If I had my say in it, she would never deal with anything by herself again.

Stepping away from me, she sucked in a shaky breath and typed out a reply on her phone, sharing it out loud. “Be there in a bit. Ostor forgot his bathing suit. We'll grab one at the gift shop and then we’ll join you.” One tap, and she looked up. “Hitting send feels like sealing my fate.”

“You’re still tense.”

“You got that from me, did you?”

I remained quiet, giving her a chance to process this.

“It’s going to be alright,” I finally said.

“Yup, it is.” Her words came out breezy, and she said it with a fake smile, but it was a start. She’d see. I was here for her. Always.

“Bathing suit,” I said, to distract her from her stress.

She nodded. “Bathing suit.”

We left our room and took the stairs to the first level, striding back to the lobby and locating a store with various clothing in a brilliant assortment of colors. I stood inside the entrance, my wide eyes taking in the display.

“Have you worn a bathing suit before?” she asked, frowning up at me, making me realize I must look like a bumbling fool who had no idea how to handle this situation. My family made our clothing from fabric my mother had delivered to our home. I’d never . . . purchased it before, and never in such shrill colors.

“I never wear a bathing suit when I swim,” I croaked, hoping she didn’t hear the uncertainty in my voice.

“What do you wear?”

“We cover our entire bodies,” I said in such a soft voice, I doubted she could hear. From what I’d seen, humans wore swim fabric that hugged only parts of their bodies or loose items like pants only without the full legs that would protect skin from sharp thorns or attacking creatures. And we wore dark clothing, never anything in colors like this that would draw a predator’s eyes. “I don’t know what to purchase. I worry I’m going to embarrass you.” And that was the true shame of all this. She was perfect while I was . . . not.

How had I thought I could come here with her and convince anyone that this lovely being by my side would chooseme?

“I’ll help you.” Her simple words held an understanding I didn’t realize I was seeking, and I told my heart to stop galloping on top of my belly.

I winced, not wanting her sympathy. A mate sought the other’s love. Their affection. They didn’t hold their hand as if they were a terrified youngling.

Yet in some ways, her helpingwasa sign of affection. She wasn’t laughing like some people did when they interacted with an orc. She wasn’t pointing. No, she was taking my hand and with a gentle smile, she was leading me forward.

“Alright.” I could barely force out the word.

I allowed her to take me farther into the shop, the cool air washing over my exposed skin. This was no cave. How could the air suddenly feel cold? I peered at the ceiling, but didn’t see anything that might cause this effect.

“You’re going to look awesome in a swimsuit,” she said, stroking my arm.

Heat spiraled through me from her touch.

It didn’t mean anything.

She was just being kind.

But how I wished it was real.

Chapter 8

Rosey

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