Page 9 of Fake Dating the SEAL
“I beg your pardon?” He wasn’t sure quite how to take that.
His response must have been perfect because the tension in her shoulders eased and a real smile teased her lips. “I mean, on matching you up with me. They love you.”
“And I love them.” He took a second to scan all the people in the yard. Some he knew, some he didn’t, but there were many he loved very much. Including Maile Everrett. Returning his gaze to Sara, he tipped his head. “They’re really going to keep making you sit next to strangers until you find Mr. Right.”
“Mr. Right would be nice, but after all their failed efforts, I’m convinced they’d be happy with Mr. Good Enough.”
“I can’t believe that. I’ve never known anyone in the Everrett family to settle. Ever.”
“Okay. So, maybe I’m just a bit cynical.” At that moment her gaze drifted toward the house and he knew the second she’d spotted what he had. Her mother and Maile were standing in the doorway, staring at them, smiling, hands waving back and forth, clearly delighted and he suspected it had nothing to do with the smorgasbord they’d set up.
“You don’t suppose they’re just happy with the turn out.”
Sara spun to face him, one brow arched high, her glare was piercing.
“Okay. Maybe not.” He looked at the two women with their heads together, giggling like school girls. An idea tickled the back of his brain. Could it work? Was it crazy? Would it help Sara? He couldn’t think of a negative. It’s not like she was a dog, and what did it matter she was younger. A decade ago yes, but now…. What the heck. “Sara Alani, would you be my date for the season?”
Chapter Five
Momentarily confused, Sara looked down at the drink Maile had given her and wondered if maybe it was more than just fruit punch. Sniffing at the glass, she didn’t smell liquor. Maybe she merely misunderstood. Leveling her eyes to meet his waiting gaze, she took a breath. “I’m sorry. Say that again?”
He chuckled and leaned in, his gaze momentarily darting over his shoulder to where Maile and Mrs. Alani stood watching. Placing his hand over hers, he leaned even closer. “Don’t look, but they’re watching us.”
“No surprise there.” She sighed and started to lean back, but he held tightly onto her, keeping her close.
“They really are going to set you up with every eligible male on the island all winter, aren’t they?”
“More like all year, but yes.”
“So, let’s give them what they want.”
Her head dipped to the side. Maybe he was just as crazy as her mother. “I’m sorry, you’ve lost me. What?”
His eyes lit with amusement. “It’s really quite simple. We pretend that we’re dating.” His gaze drifted in the direction of the two women intently watching them from the house. “If they think you are in a relationship, they won’t keep thrustingunsuspecting men on you, and you won’t have to pretend to not know what they’re doing.”
Part of her wanted to shout what a brilliant idea, the other part of her considered she might be as crazy as he was for even considering such an odd plan.
“They’re still watching, aren’t they?” His voice was low, and deep, and smooth as a top shelf whiskey.
She nodded.
“See what I mean? They’re never going to give up. At least we can give you a pleasant and peaceful holiday season.”
He did have a point. Though a bit out of the box, but then again, isn’t that what SEALs were especially good at? Thinking outside the box. “How exactly do you see this going down?”
“We can go out now and again for a friendly meal or movie and whenever we’re both at any of the family gatherings, we pretend we’re actually together. You know, hold hands…”
Her gaze dropped to where his hand still covered hers.
“Maybe laugh together, sit together, and if they’re watching, we could even stare into each others eyes like a couple of besotted teens.”
That made her laugh. “Besotted, huh?”
“Smitten?” He shrugged.
“How old are you? Those are words my grandmother would have used.”
“Mine too,” he grinned at her, “which is probably why I use them. Grams was a firecracker.”
