Page 50 of A Little Bit Engaged
“We’ll need to send her an invitation,” he said.
“Who?”
“Ainsley.”
Cara’s blood pressure spiraled. He made it sound as if they would make an actual guest list and mail invites. “In case you’ve forgotten, there’s not going to be a wedding. And while we’re on the subject, you’d better not be getting any ideas about baby making, either.”
Not that he would, but she said the words for her sake, too.
He laughed, the rich sound as smooth and warm as cheese fondue. “What about a pretend baby? Hypothetically speaking.”
Ignoring Brody, she handed him a decorated cardboard box with their names written in script and overlaid by hearts. Cute, but a total waste of the Bay View House’s talent. “It’s a customized lunch box.”
“Let’s sit on the floor.” After putting the lunch box into the bigger box, he carried everything over to the spot he’d set up.
Cara sat next to him and then removed a thermos. “Lavender-infused lemonade.”
“I thought we’d get to start with the fruit-flavored mojitos.”
“No way.” She touched her belly. “I don’t want anyone to accuse me of endangering my fake pregnancy by drinking alcohol with my pretend baby daddy fiancé.”
“That could be a lyric from a country western song.” He laughed. “We’ve reached the this-is-outrageous saturation point.”
“I think that happened last night.” She poured lemonade into the two Mason jar glasses that were inside the box. Each jar contained a sprig of lavender.
His thigh pressed against hers. Not even the clothing between them could keep the heat from sizzling on contact. Her blood simmered.
Uh-oh. Not good. She needed to focus on the task at hand—wedding, not Brody.
He placed his large hand over hers. The gesture gave her a sense of belonging and security. After being on her own for way too long, she relished his company and the feelings.
Their engagement might be pretend, but this felt real.
And oh so right.
She gulped, but she didn’t pull her hand away.
Cara stared into her glass. “This is nice.”
She didn’t mean only the lemonade and picnic lunch.
Brody raised his glass. “To you. You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I’m sorry it took trying to salvage Caitlin’s PR nightmare and now one of our own for us to spend time together.”
Cara’s heart soaked up the words. She wanted to enjoy the warm fuzzies for as long as she could.
Not real, but she didn’t care. This was more than she’d had in…forever. As long as they didn’t kiss, she would be fine.
“Let’s make the most of it.” The affection in his gaze matched her growing feelings for him. She tapped her jar against his. “Cheers.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“You need to try a pie pop.” Brody wasn’t sure which he enjoyed better—the pie pops or seeing Cara’s smile return. Nah, her smile won hands down. “You love apple pie. You’ll love this.”
She laughed, a sound he hadn’t expected to hear today but no complaints. Especially if her laughter continued.
“They must be good.” She eyed one with feigned suspicion, making him think she was a better actress than she let on. “You’ve eaten five of them.”
The twinkle in her eyes made not staring difficult. He handed her one. “Please.”
