Page 16 of Better Not Pout
I honestly can’t believe I’m even asking that because I’m not seriously considering this.
At all.
Am I?
His posture changes as he rubs his large hand over the thick hair dusting his jaw before sighing warily. “My mom has this thing where for Christmas, all she wants is all of her kids under one roof. At my parents’ cabin up in Cedar Ridge. We’re all spread out over the country in different cities now, and this is the one time a year that we all get together. We put ourphones in this present box and do nothing but whatever she has on the itinerary. Board games, family dinners, all kinds of shit. My mom is obsessed with the holiday, so she goes hard decorating, doing everything themed. She’s got a Christmas village collection that’s about as big as the actual house.”
It still doesn’t answer why exactly he needs a date, so I arch a brow and shake my head, telling him to continue. “All my siblings are coupled up, most with kids. And I’m just tired as fuck of the questions about when I’m getting married and when grandkids are coming. It’s exhausting, and if I bring a date, I’m hoping that’ll get everyone to chill out about my personal life. Appease my mom that I’m on the path to being settled down.”
Well, okay, that does seem fair.
“Honestly, I know exactly what that’s like,” I start, followed by a sigh. “My grandparents, as much as I love them, are way too involved in trying to hook me up with any and every single man in this town.”
Wells nods. His tongue drags along his full bottom lip, and he blows out a breath. “Then you know what I go through every single Christmas. It would be nice to not have to worry about it, and it works because we could help each other out. It’s a win-win. You help me, I help you.”
Fake holi-dating sounds absolutely ridiculous, but also, I have to admit… it’s not that bad of an idea. Yeah, it’s a little crazy and feels like something out of a book, but then again, it could totally work. Granted, I wouldn’t be in this deep if it weren’t for him popping in here and pretending to be my fake boyfriend to begin with.
But he was right—it was absolutely so worth it to stick it to Bradley and his too-perfect fiancée, even if just a little bit.
It’s exactly how I find myself saying, “I’m in.”
seven
. . .
Rosalie
Holi-dating: The Game Plan
“Don’t lookat me like that,” I mutter as I peer into the side mirror of my car, checking my lip gloss and hair one last time.
I still can’t even believe that I’m here or that I agreed to this plan in the first place, but I find myself outside of Wells McCoy’s old farmhouse with clammy palms and a racing heart.
Woof.
Oh… and Penelope.
I look down at my favorite girl, who is also occasionally the bane of my existence because of how sassy she tends to be. Other than Kennedy, most of my friends are already married with kids. But it’s just me and my Penny girl, living in our apartment above Sweet Sullivan’s.
And I’ve always been totally fine with that.
Most of the time, she’s far less high-maintenance than a kid would be. At least I think so?
I lift a brow, staring down at her and those judgy yet sweet little blue eyes of hers that make her look perpetually pitiful without even trying. “What? I don’t care about what he thinks. I just don’t want to go in there looking like a mess, that’s all.”
The way she’s currently looking at me, I’m sure if shecouldtalk, she’d say, “Mhm, sure, whatever you say.”
“C’mon, let’s go before you catch a cold,” I call as I start walking up the short driveway. Penny trots slowly behind me, her fluffy tail wagging with each step, and I can’t stop the squeeze of my heart. She looks so freaking adorable in the sweater that Grams knitted her. It fits her just right. A dark shade of green with candy canes on the front that matches perfectly with her little red velvet ribbons I put on her ears.
I’m alittttttleextra when it comes to her, but it’s okay because she’s the cutest angel to ever exist, and if anyone deserves extra, it’s her.
When I texted Wells and asked if he minded if I brought her along, I was surprised that he agreed. I’ve just been working so much lately, and I feel like I haven’t been able to spend as much time with her. Generally, she’s in the store with me, but with how busy it’s been, I’ve been leaving her upstairs because of how overstimulating it can be with kids trying to pet her all day. I felt too much mom guilt leaving her behind tonight, and if Wells wants a fake girlfriend, I guess he’s getting a fake dog child too.
We’re a package deal.
And also… maybe I could use a little emotional support. That’s why I needed her here with me too.
“Okay, Penny girl. This is it,” I whisper quietly as we make our way up a set of creaky stairs leading up to the front porch. I press the doorbell twice before stepping back and glance back down at her. “I need you to be on your very best behavior, okay?”
