Page 122 of Lemon Crush

“You don’t need a makeover,” I told her. “You were born gorgeous.”

Wanda wagged her deep-red tail, her cute wrinkly face pressed against the side of the crate as she struggled to get to Merlin, who’d refused to move an inch from her side since I brought her home. She had no idea she was part of my master plan to show Wade I wanted more than just a renter and a bed warmer. She was too busy being adorable.

“I bet that’s what my sister thought when she brought Tilly home,” I said in a gently soothing tone. “‘Oh, what a sweet little ball of fur. I bet she won’t give me any trouble at all, especially if I get her a brother.’”

Merlin gave me a chiding glance before returning his adoring gaze to Wanda. I’d been sure he wouldn’t like her, but this was definitely a case of love at first sight.

Wade iswaiting.

My stomach contracted again as the little voice in the back of my head told me Bernie and Chick were wrong, that they’d misread the signals and he wasn’t looking for some kind of commitment from me, but a way out instead.

I shoved that voice into a mental closet and slammed the door, wishing for a key to lock it so I didn’t have to work so hard to hold it shut.

But I was doing this. One way or the other, I’d have my answer tonight.

“Now behave,” I told Wanda, “so I can dazzle your dad before he finds out you’re here.”

She might not understand me yet, but Merlin did. He stuck his nose into the crate and let the puppy dive-bomb it as a distraction.

Wow. “I owe you one, old man.”

When I walked into the living room, I found Wade looking around in confusion at the flickering candles I’d set out in lieu of turning on the overhead lights.

“Did the power go out again?” he wondered out loud.

“I’m glad you could make it.”

He did a half turn, his eyes flaring with interest when he noticed my new shirt.

He’s noticing your cleavage. The bra does great things for your boobs.

That was acceptable. At least he was still looking.

“Your text said you needed my help. Is it the lights?”

I shrugged. “I was in the mood for candles. Call it hurricane nostalgia.”

“Set the stage. He’s been put out at having to share you these last few weeks. Let him know right away something’s changed.”

He sniffed the air tentatively. “Did Chick get dinner? It smells good.”

“Chick had other plans for the evening, but I made chicken korma. I think it’s going to be too much for me to eat alone.”

“Youmadechicken korma?”

I smiled wryly. “Don’t sound so surprised.”

Bernie had been shocked when I only ordered one small sample from Wade’s favorite Indian restaurant. I’d wanted to know if the recipe differed too much from mine and, since it didn’t, we stopped at the store so I could get what I needed to fix it myself. According to her, he’d ordered it once a month from the same place, and it was a favorite.

“I felt like celebrating.” I took a breath and let it out slowly, still getting a charge from saying this out loud. “I sent the book to my publisher today.”

In an instant the big man was in front of me, lifting me off my feet and hugging me tightly while I laughed in delight. “August, that’s fantastic news. You’re amazing. I can’t wait to buy it and add it to my collection.”

I burrowed my face into his neck, inhaling the scent of him and soaking in the feel of his strong arms around me. His praise. This was what I’d been looking forward to all day. Sharing my news withhim.

He put me down too soon for my liking and took a step back, his smile still in place. “Why would Chick make other plans tonight? You should call Bernie and your sister and join him. Pop open some champagne with your friends and celebrate.”

He didn’t include himself on the guest list. Another clue that something was off.

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