Page 68 of Fumbled Into Love

Nathalie

Deon and I survived one month before the request to attend family dinner became a summon, followed by multiple threats to donate my holiday decorations if I didn’t bring him to dinner.

I didn’t spend years trudging through the clearance aisles of craft stores, fending off old women and couponers for my amazing decorations to be donated because we won’t attend family dinner.

My mother took my love for holidays and exploited my weakness, and now Deon and I are going to have to pull out Oscar-worthy performances.

If our ruse isn’t perfect, my family will know.

I have spent years droning on about love and relationships and happily ever after that if Deon and I don’t look like a couple madly in love, they will know it’s fake.

If he doesn’t touch me enough, they’ll figure it out.

If either of us is stiff or stilted in any of our answers, they’ll know.

After a few deep breaths and a ‘you got this’ in the mirror, I search to find Deon in the house.

After his surprise visit to GameChangers and my mild period-induced meltdown, he left for an away game in New York, meaning it’s been a week and a half into our deal, and I have yet to see the man naked again.

I’m ready to scream ‘artichoke’ at the top of my lungs whenever he walks into a room. I’m so horny, but I’m waiting for him to make a move, and he hasn’t.

I find Deon inThe Lair,curled into the corner of the couch with a book. As I step closer, I realize it’s not any book, but the cowboy romance I finished reading.

“Enjoying the read?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe.

He pops off the couch, startling Gordie, who sprints between my feet and out of the room. Surprised green eyes meet mine, and I jerk my chin toward the book dangling in his grip.

“Did you get to the part where he gives her his cowboy hat, and then sherideshim all night?” Deon chokes, setting the book on the coffee table, and a blush creeps onto his cheeks.

“I did,” is all he says as he reaches the doorframe. Both arms grab the top of the frame, and he stretches out, towering over me. “How are you?”

His eyes flicker down my body, assessing.

“I’m fine.” I nearly melt into a puddle on the floor from the concern in his gaze. “But we do have an issue. We’ve beensummoned.”

The words hang ominously in the air before Deon mutters, “Summoned?” with what could only be described as the world’s cutest confused face.

“We have to go to family dinner. We’re expected within the hour.”

A massive, unexpected smile blooms on Deon’s face.

“Alright.” He shrugs and slips past and into the living room.

I spin, chasing him down. “That’s it?”

“Yeah, let's go. I’m starving.”

His palm grazes against my back as he passes, and thank God we have to pretend in front of my family because it means I can let the crush out of her cage.

Maybe a bit of fresh air will calm her down and make her easier to deal with.

At least, I can hope.

The house is bursting at the seams with thinly contained energy when Deon and I walk into the house. Saffron and garlic waft into the entryway, and all I can think about is how poorly this is going to end.

They’re going to find out this is all fake, and I’m going to never live it down.

“She’s here,” Gracie hisses, and the kitchen quiets.

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