Page 15 of The Only Heart that Matters

“She went on and on about how important family was to them. And how a strong family unit was key to raising children and right when I finally got the chance to correct her, she noticed Sawyer crying and all other thoughts fled from my brain. I am so sorry. I promise I’ll set her straight. I’ll call her as soon as I get home.”

Fuck if hearing that someone thinks I could be the father to this amazing little boy and the husband to someone like Mia doesn’t fill me with pride. I wish I were half the man I’d need to be to be worthy of the two of them.

“No. Don’t,” I blurt out, surprising myself with my reaction. Working in a bar, I’ve overheard people talking about single moms. Granted, nobody has ever said shit about Mia in front of me, but I’ve heard other assumptions and judgments.

Her eyebrows shoot up. “What?”

“Goof, this job is exactly what you need right now. If letting them think we’re together helps get you the job, then so be it.”

“Gus, you can’t mean that.”

If she only knew how wrong she was.

“We’ve already established that I don't do things I don’t want to do,” I remind her as I fight a smile. “Besides, they likely live in Bend and don’t really have a reason to visit Goose Hollow. Let them think what they need to get the job and then eventually you’ll leave my sorry ass. Just let me know when you file for divorce.”

Her mouth falls open. “Gus, come on. You can’t be serious?”

Serious as a damn heart attack.

“Listen, I’ve been thinking about something and this seems like the perfect time to bring it up.”

She squints her eyes, wondering what I’m up to.

“You and Sawyer need a place to live and, well, I think the two of you should move into my place at the ranch. Using my address seems like a perfect solution.”

Silence is her reply. Her eyes are still on me, but her cute little eyebrows furrow in confusion. Her mouth drops open, as if she wants to speak, but nothing comes out. Finally, she clears her throat. “You… you want me…,” she shakes her head, “I mean us to move in with you?”

Shit, I forgot the second part of the setup and she’s understandably freaking out. “I’ve been staying in my loft at The House half the time anyway, so it's no big deal. I’ll just move in full time. There’s three bedrooms at the ranch so the kiddo can have his own room.”

Her shoulders, that were up to her ears, drop in relief and understanding. I know it would be odd for me to ask her to cohabitate, but her reaction to the possibility of being roommates still causes a tight twisting pain in the center of my chest.

“Angus, no way. We are not moving into your house.”

“But you are.”

I’m not giving her a choice. She’ll be homeless in a week and a half and that will not happen on my watch.

“No, I will not kick you out of your home.”

“Fine, I won’t move out. We’ll be roommates.”

Her face goes white as a ghost again and that chest pain twists a bit more.

“I’m kidding. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“It’s not that, I just... well... I just can’t. You’ve already done enough.”

“I gave you a ride to an interview. I wouldn’t say I’ve done much.”

“Uh, you just agreed to be my fake husband!”

There’s no stopping the shit-eating grin that spreads across my face. “That’s right I did.” I wag my brows at her again.

“See? That’s plenty!”

“But didn’t you say you owed me one?”

“Like you said, all you did was give me a ride.” She huffs back in her seat, playing with the band currently on her ring finger. No wonder they thought she was married.

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