Page 20 of Take Me
“Guess we don’t have to worry about getting through Maxine and Sam’s wedding.You’re a damn good actor, Mace.”
“You too, Gentry.”
“I’ll see you around.”
Part of me wants to kiss her again, which is stupid.We got enough practice already.“I’ll, uh… call you about plans for driving there.”
“Sounds good.”
There’s a bark from my truck, and we turn to see Scrumpy has climbed from the backseat and stands with his paws on my steering wheel.His creamy tail swishes as he presses the horn, making us jump.
Erika takes a step back.“Guess you’re not in charge anymore.”
“No shit.”I open the driver’s side door, petting my dog to keep him inside.“See you around.”Did I already say that?“Thanks again.”
“No sweat.”
Does she notice how badly I’m sweating?Or holding my breath as she gets in her truck and waves like we’re normal?
Wearenormal.
As she fires up the engine, I let out a breath.
“Woof!”
“No joke,” I say to my dog.
Then I get in and drive us both home.
A couple days later,like clockwork, my sister swings by to check up on me.She knocks a few times, then shoves through the door like she’s done since we shared a womb.
For the record, we were C-section babies, and I popped out before Lucy.But my twin emerged with her foot in my face and the umbilical cord clenched in a fist.
“Hello?”Her voice rings out from the entry.“Put your clothes on if you’re naked.I’m here to meet your new dog.Also, ew.Please don’t be naked with your new dog.”
“Hello, Lucifer.”I stroll to the front of the house with Scrumpy trotting at my heels.He takes one look at my twin and barks sharply.“She’s an intruder,” I tell him.“You should bite her.”
My disobedient dog licks Lucy’s shin instead.
“Look at you, sweet boy!”She drops to the floor of my foyer and starts scratching his ears.“Aren’t you the cutest?”
“I am, but I don’t like to brag.”No surprise, my dog loves my sister.He’s licking her face and has his weird stumpy legs propped on her knees.“Do I even want to know how you heard I got a dog?”
“Shanice Sherman told Rafaela Diaz, who heard it from?—”
“Never mind.”
“He seems really sweet.”
“I’m training him to chew off my enemies’ kneecaps.”
“Like you have enemies.”She straightens and heads for my fridge.“Got any wine?”
“I own a brewery.”I head to the kitchen behind her.“I won two gold medals and a silver at the last Oregon Beer Awards.Why would you come here for wine?”
“Why would you tap your best friend to play your fake girlfriend when there are dozens of eligible women who’d— Oh, here we go.”She drags an unopened bottle of white wine from my fridge.“White Pinot Noir from Andante.My favorite.”
I stare at my twin, doing my best to keep my expression impassive.There’s really no point.“How did you know?”
