Collin cocks his head. “Fun…?”
“Are you asking me? Because you don’t sound sure.”
“Well, yeah. Don’t women usually like that sort of thing?”
“Most women. Usually. Yeah.”
“I’m sensing a but…”
“But I’m not most women.” I shrug, and if I’m not mistaken, the color in his eyes darkens. “And this isn’t most weddings,” I add.
Collin blinks. “Fair. But itisa wedding. We’re getting married, after all.”
I smirk. “Oh really? Says who?”
“Says the ring that should be on your finger right now.”
I hold up my left hand, inspecting my bare fourth finger. “Yeah. Speaking of that ring…” I trail off and arch my brows at him.
Collin has insisted upon picking out my ring. I don’t know why he’s taking it so seriously. It’s not like it matters. When we talked about it over coffee at the Getaway Café, I told him I wouldgladly wear a silicone ring like the one he ordered for himself or a fake diamond like flight attendants wear to ward off unwanted advances. For some reason, Collin insists on buying me an actual ring.
Collin holds up his hands. “I’m working on it. Promise.”
“Tell me why I can’t help pick it out again?”
He puffs up his chest. “Because I’m a traditionalist.”
“Says the man entering into a fake marriage.”
“Never mind that.” He winks.
I bite back a smile. “I’m the one who has to wear it. What if you pick out something trashy?”
“You really think I have poor taste?” Collin mimes taking a stab to the heart.
I shake my head because he’s ridiculous. “I don’t know…do you?”
“You’ll have to trust me. Which you do. Right?”
I suck in a breath and reach for a muffin. I take a bite to buy myself some time. My eyes fall closed because it’s gooey and warm and wonderful.
When I blink, Collin’s gaze is locked on mine, and I swear I could get lost in the evergreen of his eyes. There’d be no need for a search party. I’d curl up right there on a patch of soft grass in those woods like a little baby deer, content.
“Right?” he prompts again, his voice huskier than usual.
I snap out of my woodland fantasy.
“I do.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat. “I trust you.”
He crosses the small living room so he’s standing right in front of me. “Good. You’ve got a little something here.” He reaches out a hand and gently brushes the pad of his thumb against my lower lip. When he lowers his hand, I trace the path of his finger with my tongue.
Collin is staring at my mouth, and the temperature in my apartment seems to have rocketed up and off the charts. There’s electricity snapping in the air, and I have half a thought that Collincould kiss me right now. He could kiss me for real. No audience. No pretense. Just him and me in my apartment after sharing a muffin.
My breath catches with anticipation, but he steps back.
“Then it’s settled.” He slides his hands in his pockets.“I should go, and you should try to enjoy yourself with your sisters.”
I tug in a breath. What is in these muffins that has me practically swooning over Collin? I swallow and feel the haze of romance lift from the apartment, and my equilibrium returns. “If I must,” I joke.
