Page 67 of Faking It Right
“She’ll understand,” Mom assured me. “And who knows? Maybe you’ll make a new friend.”
I snorted. “Right, because that’s how these setups usually end.”
Dad’s voice called out from the kitchen. “Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes! Jacinta, can you come taste the sauce?”
“On my way!” Mom gave my arm one last squeeze before heading toward the kitchen.
As she left, I caught snippets of conversation from Sawyer and Gia, who were helping Dad with dinner prep.
“This is gonna be epic,” Gia whispered, but not quietly enough. “The disaster dinner of the century.”
Sawyer’s hushed giggle followed. “Should we place bets on how long it takes before someone throws something?”
“I’m more interested in how Harley handles it,” Gia replied. “Ten bucks says he goes full possessive boyfriend mode within five minutes.”
“You’re on,” Sawyer whispered back. “I think he’ll play it cool and charming. Kill her with kindness.”
“You realize I can hear you, right?” I called out.
Sawyer snickered. “Want to place a bet?”
I huffed with annoyance. “No.”
Before I could say elaborate, warm arms wrapped around my waist from behind. I almost jumped out of my skin before recognizing Harley’s familiar patchouli-and-lavender scent.
“Easy, snookums,” he murmured, his breath tickling me. “You’re wound tighter than a virgin at a sex toy convention.”
I leaned back into his embrace for a moment, allowing myself to draw comfort from his solid presence. “Can you blame me? This is going to be a nightmare.”
His lips brushed against the sensitive spot below my ear. “It’s one dinner. We’ll eat some food, make some small talk, and then she’ll leave. No big deal.”
“Says the guy who doesn’t have to explain to his mother’s latest matchmaking victim that he’s unavailable due to dating his male best friend.”
Harley chuckled, the vibration of his chest against my back sending a delightful shiver through me. “I’ll handle it if you want. I can beverypersuasive.”
“No shit,” I muttered, remembering how persuasive he’d been over the past few days.
His arms tightened around me. “Besides, this is the perfect chance to flaunt what a catch you’ve landed. I’m thinking of casually mentioning how flexible I am.”
Despite my anxiety, a laugh escaped me. “Please don’t.”
“Or I could describe in great detail how I make you scream my name when I?—”
“Harley!”
He pressed a kiss to my neck. “Relax, snookums. I’m only trying to distract you. It’s working, isn’t it?”
I scowled in irritation.
“Listen, the worst thing that can happen is an awkward dinner. We’ve survived worse.”
I was about to respond when the doorbell rang. The sound sliced through the house like a chainsaw. I tensed, every muscle in my body going rigid.
“Shit, she’s early,” I whispered, my stomach taking a nosedive straight into my shoes.
Harley turned me to face him, his expression serious. “Hey, look at me. Everything will be fine. We’re in this together, okay?”
I nodded, though I remained unconvinced. As the doorbell rang again, I broke free from Harley’s embrace and gestured toward the kitchen.
