Page 7 of Whimsical Ink
“She packed stuff when we were at yours the day before they left.”
I frown and my mouth drops open. “Are you telling me you came up with this ridiculous plan a week ago, got my brother and his girlfriend in on it, and went through my stuff, all to make your life easier?”
“No.”
“Don’t tell me no, you dick. You said?—”
“It’s not to make my life easier! Maddy, you need a holiday and you deserve to celebrate your birthday. El and Ollie agreed with me. They don’t know about the dating stuff. This is about you and giving you a break. The dating stuff doesn’t matter, the family will ask a few questions, we’ll hug a few times to pretend it’s a thing, and that’s it. Nothing will happen expect you finally relaxing and drinking champagne on your birthday.”
“While pretending I’m dating you. Some birthday,” I mumble, but the idea of his arms wrapped around my shoulders and my face buried in his chest sends butterflies through my stomach, and then lower.
He slaps a hand on his chest. “I’m offended. I’m a catch. Founder of my own company?—”
“With my brother.”
“—and I have these freaking awesome tattoos?—”
“That I did.”
“—and a place by the beach.”
“Your family has a place by the beach,” I correct.
“Semantics.”
I can’t help but laugh. So I have to pretend to date him. Worse things could happen than my dream coming true. Is it dating him for real? No. But spending time together at the beachisn’t terrible. It sounds nice. I could swim for once. Haven’t had a chance to swim in ages. You’d think working by the beach I’d swim daily, but no, I work long hours to keep my studio running and if I’m not at the studio, I’m working on designs.
Not that I’ll admit it to Daniel, but spending time with him and his family is worlds better than what I had planned.
“How did you convince them we’re dating? And for so long?” I ask, flicking the music back on and causing Daniel to smile. The only reason I did it.
“It wasn’t hard. I talk about you a lot, so I just talked about you more, told them what you were up to. It helps that I don’t see them often.”
“Don’t you have a weekly dinner together?” My brow creases.
“We do.”
“How is that not often? That means you discussed me weekly, for six months.” My limbs feel weak imagining him discussing me at his family dinners.
He shrugs. “Wasn’t hard.”
I decide not to approach his comment, not sure I’m ready to hear why it was easy to discuss me. Is it a good thing he discusses me with his family so often? Could he feel the same way I do, or is he avoiding confrontation with his family? It would have been easier to say we broke up. I rarely see his family now, it wouldn’t change anything in my day-to-day. Although Emma would have had lots to say. Why hasn’t she said something already? I shake myself. It doesn’t matter.
“So, do you have a plan for this dating thing?”
“Nope.”
“You don’t have a plan. Are you kidding?”
“What’s there to plan? We’re already affectionate, we’ll just sit closer together than usual.”
“You’re affectionate,” I correct. “I’m not sure this is a good idea.”
“No one will care. They’ll be happy to see you. We’ll eat lots of food, relax, and head home in a few days. Easy.”
Speak for yourself. Easy. Easy being around him and his family, all cosy, pretending we’ve been datingfor six months,while I try not to show my true feelings. Guess it wouldn’t matter if I showed them, considering we’re supposed to be in love. Are we supposed to be in love or just dating? Too many questions and so few answers.
I’ll take his lead and see what happens.