My crazy thoughts break when Zane mumbles, “D-do you have to gues-ss?”
I don’t have time to comprehend his words because Tassels comes out from under the couch.
“Fuck, w-was he in the s-same room all this t-time?” Zane jerks before leaning forward as Tassels smells our guest’s shoes.
“Yep. For a dog, he’s pretty useless.” I get up from the love seat as Tassels continues with his inspection. Zane’s tender company and my groggy mood are not a good mix. I’ve already blurted more nonsense to him than I usually do to anyone else.
Meanwhile, my dog has decided to cling to Zane, as the spot is now vacated by me. Tassels rests his head on Zane’s chest when my possibly future fake husband pulls him into his arms.
I don’t blame Tassels, though. Despite how sweet Zane looks, he is built like a rock under those suits.
Stop it, Vi!
“Are you s-still hungry?” Zane asks, nodding toward the pizza box with my dog peacefully lying in his arms.
“Let me put it into the oven.” I walk into my kitchen space connected to the living room, hoping to get a better grasp of my confused emotions.
I set the timer on the oven, and when I place two cans of iced tea on the small counter, Zane slides onto one of the barstools.
I glance at my dog clinging to our guest. “Tassels is an attention whore. The more you keep him with you, the more he won’t leave you.”
Zane smiles. “I d-don’t mind. I love being w-wanted.”
He looks down at my dog while my brain continues to dissect his words.
Is this why he’s doing this? Because he likes that I need him?
When Tassels makes a whining sound, I look down at Zane pulling some dog treats from his jacket pocket.
“Where did you get those?”
“My br-rother Zach’s son has a dog, Mr. S-Stanley. I was at th-their place before coming here. That’s when my s-sister-in-law Hope gave me th-the box of cupcakes.”
Zane continues to stroke Tassels.
“You’re close to your brothers? You’ve mentioned them before.”
He nods. “I am. I’m th-the youngest, so everyone’s very pr-rotective of me. If we get marr-ried, you really need to know about them, otherw-wise they will see r-right through this charade.”
I look at him one more time, slowly realizing how his presence has changed the mood in my apartment. “If you’re up for it, I want to be your fake wife, Zane.”
7
ZANE
My heart pounds, ready to crack out of my body when she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “If you’re up for it, I want to be your fake wife, Zane.”
Am I seriously proposing to this girl after knowing her for less than a month? Or wait…is she the one proposing to me?
“Would you tell me about your family?” she asks.
“I have t-two brothers, Zander and Zach. Th-they are both married. My s-sisters-in-law are Rose and Hope. My broth-thers have a son each. Alex and R-ray. My th-third nephew is Charlie. He’s son of Rose’s sister, Kr-risty and her husband, Oscar. They also have a d-daughter, Chloe. Other than th-that, my family circle includes my best fr-riend, Lukas and then th-there’s Beast, my guardian—”
“Beast?” Her eyebrows rise.
“You’ll know w-when you see him.” I chuckle. “Rose invites everyone for d-dinner on Fr-ridays. So, if you’r-re serious about getting mar-rried, we can meet everyone t-tomorrow and announce the engagement.” My mouth dries in a mix of excitement and worry about showing up with Vienna in front of my family.
She gasps. “Tomorrow?”