The truck started and “Roses” by The Chainsmokers filled the cab and gave Lena goosebumps. I’m starting to see a pattern here. She laughed at the thought and reached for the pretty girl who’d just dropped her head in Lena’s lap.
“Why do you need a pretend boyfriend?” Rue was direct and to the point, no beating around the bush. Lena liked that about him, it was refreshing. She dealt with people all the time who treated her with kid gloves, Rue didn’t seem like the type to do that. If she ever thought she could be worthy of a man, she would dream it would be a man like him.
“Long answer or short?”
“Which ever one you feel like sharing.” Rue dropped his hand to the dog’s flank and patted, letting it linger there.
“Well, I want my dad to stop feeling guilty. I want him to see he didn’t ruin my life, he’s not responsible for the accident, and I’m happy and well cared for emotionally. His health is declining and it’s something that’s been eating at him. I’ll do whatever it takes to make him happy.”
Rue’s tanned hand that was resting on the dog moved to hers and squeezed. When she looked up and squinted, Lena could just barely make out a shimmer in his eyes. He seemed touched by her answer.
“Okay then, I’ll be the best fake boyfriend you ever had. And I’ll make your father fall in love with me, so much so you’ll want me for your real boyfriend.”
Lena felt uncomfortable with his statement. She hated mentioning the next part, but Rue seemed in a receptive mood. “Before you commit one hundred percent, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.” Lena did something completely out of character and unexpected to her, but she placed her other hand on top of his. She enjoyed the connection and didn’t want to lo
se it. A mini panic attack hit her. What if after over a week together she came to enjoy him too much?
“I actually told Dad you live with me and we just got engaged.” Lena recoiled without thought. Removing her hands from his, not wanting him to end the contact first. Rue placed his hand back on the wheel.
“Well then, we should stop by my place and grab a few things to really sell the whole ‘live-in’ thing.”
Lena was stunned silent. Rue seemed to be looking forward to spending time with her and playing a couple. He hummed along with the music. His voice was a soothing rumble that gave her inappropriate thoughts.
Allowing her mind to wander, she pictured them doing “couple” things. Shopping for groceries together, taking the dog to play at the park . . . making love. Whoa. The last thought took her by surprise. She chanced a glance at Rue barely making out his form at her side.
Lena enjoyed the lines of his face, as she saw them anyway. Her heart sank, he really was an attractive man . . . an attractive man who wouldn’t want to do any of those things with her for real.
“Rue, I want to thank you. This means so much to me. I know you do not want to—”
“Lena, I don’t do things I don’t want to. I want to do this. I want to help you make your father happy, and I want to spend time with you.”
“Thanks,” Lena mumbled. “So, how do you feel about the name Dale?” Rue’s laughter rocketed through the cab of the truck. It was so sudden, the puppy bolted upright and barked.
“Shush, girl, it’s fine,” Lena cooed to her furry companion.
“Wow, Dale? Really?”
Lena joined the laughter. “I panicked and I just blurted a name when Dad asked.”
“Well, we’ll just have to come up with a reason Rue is Dale’s nickname. Speaking of names, if we really want to sell this couple-hood, our girl here needs a name. What do you think?”
Lena was taken aback. “You want me to name her?” In her mind, naming a dog was an intimate bonding between man and beast, so to speak, and he was asking her to bond with his dog.
“Sure, I think you’ll do better than dog. Besides, she already likes you way more than me anyway.” He patted the dog’s head. “Just like a real relationship, the man’s dog always gravitates toward his woman.”
His woman.
Lena liked the sound of that way too much. She pushed aside her fanciful thoughts and realized she would miss the dog so much when the time with them was over. While she was confident she could resist bonding with the man, she was already in love with the dog. Liar. Her inner voice called her bluff about the man.
“I know the perfect name for such a beautiful girl.” She buried her face in the golden fur at her neck. Even knowing their time would end, she would relish the moments she had with her new furry friend. No matter how much time she got with a pet, it was never enough anyway.
“Let me guess, Dale?” Rue was poking fun at her but it felt good. She had been made fun of since the accident, but this was different.
“No, not Dale.” They arrived at what she assumed was his place. When Rue opened the door, she exited the cab then clicked her tongue back at the dog. “Come, Rose.”
And Rose leapt from the truck and pranced beside her.
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