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"You're smiling."

"I smile a lot."

"You're enjoying this."

"More than you could possibly imagine."

She pointed a finger at me. "You're next on my list."

I leaned closer. "Promise?"

Her cheeks turned the prettiest shade of pink. And there it was. My favorite thing in the world. Making Mikayla Parsons lose her train of thought.

Unfortunately, the moment was interrupted by ring number three in the form of a four-legged criminal.

Biscuit, our miniature goat, trotted across the lawn with a purse hanging from his mouth.

"Is that a goat?" Julissa shrieked.

Technically, yes. More specifically, a career criminal who'd once eaten a thousand-dollar saddle.

Mikayla caught my arm. "Does he like food?"

"He's a goat."

She grabbed an apple from the fruit display. "Biscuit!"

His head snapped toward her.

"How do you know his name?" I asked.

"Your mother introduced us."

Of course she had. Mikayla outstretched her arm, offering the apple. Biscuit abandoned the purse and trotted over.

"Who's a handsome boy?" she cooed, scratching behind his ears.

I pressed a hand to my chest. "If I'd known that all it took to get you to talk dirty was a beard and questionable hygiene, I'd have stopped shaving and showering months ago."

"Jealous of a little competition," she teased.

"Not usually, but you seem to bring it out in me.”

She shook her head. "I’m deeply concerned about your mental health."

I led Biscuit away, smiling.

Apparently, Mikayla had a soft spot for ridiculous creatures. Explained why she'd agreed to date me. Fake or otherwise.

I secured Biscuit, and when I turned around, I found Claudia, Mikayla’s mom beside me. "Well, that was entertaining." Her eyes drifted to her daughter, I could see the same pride I felt mirrored in her mom’s.

"She's good at fixing things," I stated the obvious.

"Too good, sometimes," she sighed. "Mikayla was eight when her babysitter forgot to pick her up from school. By the time I found out, she'd arranged her own ride home."

My jaw tightened. "Eight?"

"She didn't even cry. Just told me she'd handled it." Her mother watched Mikayla straighten the flower girl's bow. "She's always taken care of everyone. But when she needs something herself..."