Page 27 of Her Inconvenient Wedding Date

I chance a glance in his direction. I’d expected him to make a funny comeback, but his expression is allbusiness.

He tucks a lock of my wind-blown hair behind my ear. “I think you’re cute, too. And beautiful inside and out. I happen to love your sexy curves.”

My heart flutters, then flops over and ceases to beat. I’m gone. Hunteritis has claimed me as its willing victim. Hearing Hunter say I’m beautiful and sexy in that beautiful and sexy voice of his is more than I can handle. But when he leans in close and his gaze drops to my lips, a rush of adrenaline brings me back to life. If Hunter Payne is going to kiss me again, I’m ready to respond.

CHAPTER 14

Hunter

“New relationships arelike software updates… You agree to all the terms and conditions without actually reading them.” ~Unknown

I’m so relieved Lily’s enjoying our evening so far. The sweet smile on her lips says it all. I take it as a clear sign that I chose the right destination for our date. Now I’m ready to blow her mind with the next surprise I have planned.

“Close your eyes, Lil.”

She obeys without hesitation and even tilts her chin up, expectantly. In a breathy voice, she murmurs, “I’m ready.”

I quickly reach under the swing for the basket I stashed there earlier. Inside is dinner (sandwiches from Lily’s favorite shop), drinks (boba teas, of course), and a couple of paperbacks I bought from her online wish list. I place Lily’s items on the side table next to her, then put mine on the table beside me. Once I’m done setting up, I take the blanket that was at the bottom of the basket and drape it over her lap.

“Open your eyes!” I announce with a fake British accentsince everything sounds fancier with an accent. “Dinner is served!”

She glances around and says a simple, “Oh.”

Just oh? I swallow down my disappointment like it’s stale, day-old boba. The look on Lily’s face is the opposite from what it was a minute ago. A frown has replaced her smile, but I can tell she’s trying to lighten her expression. I can’t do anything to fix mine though. This was not the reaction I was hoping for. “Not quite what you expected? No problem, we can go out to eat. There are plenty of restaurants around here to choose from.”

“No, this is great! Thank you for preparing all of this, Hunter. I really appreciate your effort and thoughtfulness.”

I shrug, trying not to make it a big deal. This date is about Lily, not me. “I thought since we were already playing hooky from work, it’d be a good chance for you to spend the day, or what we have left of it, reading, not triple checking every email for typos before you send it, and letting your mom’s calls go to voicemail.”

Her eyes grow wide as she realizes my plan. “You’re helping me be irresponsible for a day?”

“I’d like to think of it as being human. You’re allowed to not be perfect since you can’t be perfect anyway.”

A loud groan escapes her lips. “Ouch. Thanks for breaking it to me so ungently.”

“Sorry.” I smile, not feeling sorry in the least, but I do soften my tone. “The truth hurts, but it can also set you free. So, be free, Lil. Take the night off from trying to be a perfect employee and daughter. Read a book or two, eat your sandwich, and drink your boba. Feel free to turn off your phone or at least put it on silent. The earth will keep on spinning if you don’t pick it up for a few hours.”

“You’re right.” Her smile is uncertain, but her posture ismore relaxed. “I know the world won’t end if I slack off a little.”

“It’s called rest, Lil. Even Superman needs a break now and then.”

“Does he?”

The pointed look she adds to her question makes me feel like she’s callingmeout. Why she would put me on the same level as the man of steel doesn’t make any sense, so I don’t think much of it. “Of course. Forget Superman, even God Almighty rested on the seventh day of creation. You’re allowed to rest and enjoy the blessings He’s given you.”

A wry smile curves her lips. “I guess I can’t argue with that. Thank you. This means a lot. You’re the best friend and marriage of inconvenience husband I could have asked for.”

“You mean marriage of convenience husband?”

“No, you heard me right. This is extremelyma fanfor you,” she remarks, using the Mandarin term fortroublesome,“so the word inconvenience suits the situation much better.”

“It’s notma fanfor me at all, Lil. You didn’t force me to marry you. I agreed because I wanted to.” There’s no plainer way for me to say this, so I hope she accepts it. But there is something I want to clear up… “I thoughtinconveniencewas in reference to one person catching feelings for the other person but not having them reciprocated?”

“Right. But that’s not the case for us, so there’s no worry there.” She takes her boba tea and pokes the straw into the plastic top without spilling a drop like the pro that she is. “This is so good. Thanks again, Hunter. I’m going to pick a book to read now, if you don’t mind?”

“Of course, go for it.”

An uncomfortable lull in the conversation ensues, more so on my part because Lily seems perfectly content. She’s in her element with a paperback in one hand andher sandwich in the other. Her boba tea sits off to the side along with the plate of cookies. We are mere inches apart, but she might as well be a world away. And to think that I’d assumed her use of the wordinconveniencemeant something. Like the tiny, infinitesimal chance that she could feel something for me?

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