Tease (Cloverleigh Farms #8)(29)

“For how long?”

“Just while I’m here,” I said. “I only rented the house for three months. I have to be out by August fifteenth.”

She did the math. “So one month?”

“Right.” I felt strangely liberated by the idea of inhabiting this other version of me for thirty days—the guy I would be for her if I could. “What do you think?”

She smiled. “I think there’s going to be a lot of disappointed Prancin’ Grannies out there.”

“So you’ll do it?”

“Of course I will.”

“It’ll mean lying to your family . . . are you sure you’re up for that?”

She chewed her bottom lip for a moment. “But we’re not hurting anyone. My family will actually be overjoyed. The only problem will be when we have to end it. But I guess we could just call it off when you go back to San Francisco.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“Except that I said we were getting married next month! Shit!” She thumped her head with the heels of her hands.

“Look, let’s not worry about that right now.”

“But we have to get the story straight, Hutton. We need a script.” Felicity shook her head, her eyes wide. “Otherwise I’m liable to go rogue.”

“We can come up with a story.” I glanced at the closed door. “For now, let’s just try to get rid of them.”

Felicity laughed. “Maybe if we just stay in your bedroom, they’ll take a hint.”

My stomach muscles tightened at the thought. “I wish.”





I threw a shirt on before we went back out to the kitchen, where my hopes of brooming everyone out the front door were quickly crushed. Coffee had been brewed, Neil was cracking eggs into a frying pan on the stove, my sister was peeling oranges, and everyone was enjoying the donuts.

“Come sit, you two,” said my mother, setting out two full mugs for us on the marble island. “We want to hear all about how you popped the question.”

“That’s private, Mom.” I slid onto the edge of a stool next to Felicity.

“Come on, just tell us,” Allie cajoled. “And let’s see the ring.”

Felicity played with the fingers on her left hand. “The ring is actually still at the jeweler’s. It’s being sized.”

“Grandma says this means you’ve gotten over your emotional devoidance issues,” said Zosia, licking pink frosting off the top of her hand. “Is that true?”

“Emotional avoidance issues, and don’t say that.” My sister gave her daughter a stern look.

“Just tell me—did he get down on one knee when he proposed?” My mother’s eyes grew dreamy. “Was it romantic?”

Felicity glanced at me, and I nodded, figuring I’d take my cues from her. “Yes,” she said, her voice growing more confident. “He got down on one knee and it was very romantic.”

“Where were you?” Allie wondered.

“Here.” Felicity glanced over her shoulder. “Out in the woods.”

“You proposed in the woods?” My mother seemed excited about that. “That makes sense for an earth sign like Taurus. And what sign are you, Felicity?”

“I’m a Cancer. My birthday just passed—in fact, that’s when he asked me to marry him.” Felicity was enjoying the story now. “On my birthday.”

“Oh, that’s perfect.” My mother nodded happily. “An earthy bull is a wonderful match for a sensitive crab.”

Allie snickered, and I rolled my eyes. “Mom, calling someone a sensitive crab is not a compliment,” I told her.

“I’m saying you’re going to be good together,” my mother said defensively. “Both Taurus and Cancer are very family-oriented. But a Cancer might struggle with someone who isn’t in touch with his feelings, Hutton, so you’ll have to take care not to let her down. She’ll snatch her feelings right back into her little crab shell.”

“Let’s talk about the wedding,” Allie said. “It’s going to be at Cloverleigh Farms?”

“I think so,” said Felicity. “I just need to confirm some details with my sister Millie. She’s the wedding planner there.”

“What’s the date?”

“Um, that’s one of the details to be confirmed.” She looked at me. “We’re hoping for August.”

My father looked at me. “So are you moving here for good, son? Or will you two move to San Francisco?”

I cleared my throat. “Plans are up in the air right now.”

“Can I come to the wedding?” asked Zosia hopefully. “Please?”

“Of course you can,” said my mother.

“Out of curiosity, what’s the rush?” Allie glanced at Felicity’s mid-section. “Is there anything else you want to tell us?”

“No,” Felicity and I answered at the same time.

“Alexandra, the reason for the rush is obvious,” my mom said with a sigh and dramatic gesture at us. “They’re in love! And they’re perfect together, don’t you agree?”

My sister laughed and picked up her coffee. “I agree. A bull and a crab are a match made in heaven.”