Page 16

With a frustrated sigh, JJ raises our entwined hands for them to see. “It’s Caleb, mom. I’m dating Caleb.” Everyone falls silent, then her dad holds out his hand to her mom.

“Give me my money,” he demands.

We both look at him, confused as hell, until her mom stands with a frustrated breath and grabs her purse from the kitchen. Begrudgingly, she pulls out a wad of cash and hands it over.

“I thought for sure you both had another two years in you. Damn it, Josie. You’re messing with my money,” her mom complains, tossing the purse on the table.

Her dad licks his thumb and counts through the money. “Five hundred dollars. You’re messing with my money too, but in the way that I like.”

JJ and I look at each other, then back to them. “You’ve been betting on us?” JJ asks.

“Absolutely. What else do we have to do?” her mom replies.

“I don’t know? Find hobbies?” JJ suggests.

Her mom lets out a laugh. “You and your sister are our hobbies. We created you.”

“How we created you is our hobby, too,” her dad adds with a wink to her mom. I burst out laughing and fist bump her dad. He’s the funniest man I know.

“Dad!” JJ admonishes, hiding her face in her hands.

I take a sip of my drink just as her mom says, “Don’t be a prude, JJ. It’s human nature. You and Caleb are probably—”

JJ cuts her off with a point of her finger. “I swear I’ll stab myself right now to end this discussion.”

“I’m just saying now that you both are dating, which took so many damn years—”

JJ picks up the knife, pointing it at her chest. “I’ll do it!”

I wrap my hand around hers, attempting to pull the weapon away. Her grasp on it is tight, so I pull her finger off one by one. Still refusing to let go, I slowly bend her finger backward until she cries out in pain and finally lets go of it. I set it on the table and grin at her glare.

She crosses her arms. “I hate you.”

I pinch her nose. “You wish.”

Her mom fakes a cough. “When are we planning the wedding?”

JJ stands abruptly and grabs her purse. “I got a meeting in the morning, and Caleb has training. It was…pleasant seeing you both. I’ll see you again when you get your sanity back. Love you both. Goodbye.” She turns and walks out of the dining room and out the front door. I drove us here so she will have to wait on me.

I look at her parents to see them smiling at me. “Go on, son. We’ll see you later.”

I say my goodbyes and walk outside to where she is leaning against the car, her eyebrows furrow while she’s lost in thought. I walk next to her and lean on the car.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask.

She kicks a pebble. “They are going to be sad when they find out this is fake.”

“We will explain it to them after this month.”

“We haven’t thought this through. One month of dating then we break up? That is suspicious.”

I didn’t really think this out. Just reacted when I thought my career was on the line. We can’t go back now.

“You’re right. We will play it by ear. For now, don’t stress. Okay?” I hold out my pinky.

She hooks hers into mine. “Okay. I can do that.”

I pull her off the car, then open the door for her. “Alright. Get in. I think it’s time we start your research.”