“Well, I know your mother would love to have you there,” Ethan’s mom said.
“I don’t doubt that a bit,” Rue said wryly, “but her ideas for me are a little…strong. And not always negotiable.”
“I’m sure she only wants the best for you,” Ethan’s mom replied, but in a knowing tone that fully suggested Rue’s mom might be wound a little tight.
“Then she should be thrilled,” Rue said without missing a beat. “Because I absolutely have the best.”
By the time Ethan realized Rue was talking about him, every eye in the place was glued to his next move. As much as he’d like to throw back something clever, he couldn’t. He was as stunned as the rest of them. She’s only playing a part. Sure, he knew that, so why did his heart kick up a few knots over the easy way the words flowed from her lips? Because you’re an idiot.
Question answered.
Problem not solved.
“I didn’t know you were planning to feed us,” he said to his mom. Blatant change of subject, but one he happened to know his entire family could get behind. Besides, the impressive spread deserved recognition. Next to the heaps of deli meats and cheeses were large bowls of pasta salad and potato salad, while loaves of fresh-from-the-oven crusty bread smelled so fantastic, Ethan’s mouth watered.
“This looks delicious,” Rue said. “Is that homemade bread?”
“The best,” Ethan told her. “You’ll never have better.”
Rue grinned. “I’m sold, but I’m going to have to earn it first. I’m supposed to be painting, and I haven’t picked up a paintbrush.”
No one had. At least not one with paint on it. But more than that, he wanted to tell her she’d more than earned it after agreeing to play the part of his significant other. But there was no good way to say that with witnesses, and the less attention he drew to his so-called relationship, the better.
Fortunately—or otherwise—his brothers were quick to respond.
“You can do the taping,” Liam said. “That’s probably why we’re all standing around. No one wants to do that part.”
Rue laughed, and Ethan swore she lit the room. “Ah, is that what I was here for?” she asked as she easily caught the tape Liam tossed her. “The grunt work?”
Sawyer choked on a laugh. “Is that what you two call it?”
“Sawyer Chase!” Ethan’s mom narrowed her eyes and shot her son a blistering look, much to Rue’s amusement, he realized, as she hid a smile. And, frankly, to Ethan’s relief. He really didn’t know Rue, but anyone who could hand him a pair of pajama pants covered with psycho clowns had to be able to handle his brothers a bit better than most. Surviving that particular introduction was practically a rite of passage into the Chase family…not that Rue would ever be family. She was just a friend. A cohort, really, who had just as much to gain from their little act as he did.
Only she didn’t look as if she was acting. Instead, she was talking with his mom about leavening agents, at which point he realized Rue must know her way around a kitchen. He really knew so little about her. Like what she did for a living, or what the rest of her pajama stash looked like.
And whether her lips could possibly be as soft as they looked.
“Hey, you,” Rue said, breaking into his thoughts. “Are you painting the trim, too, or just the walls? I need to know what to tape.”
“Walls and trim,” he said. “Tape the windows and floor.” And suddenly he felt guilty, having her do actual manual labor in exchange for a date they both needed. But she didn’t seem to care. She was already laughing with Crosby about something, and Ethan couldn’t help staring as she knelt to the floor and started taping the edge of a plastic tarp to protect the hardwood. His oh-so-helpful brother held the plastic in place while she made quick work of the perimeter. Sawyer and Liam dug into the food, and Ethan knew he should go crack open a paint can, but he was too caught up with Rue. She was radiant. On the floor, doing something as mundane as unrolling tape, and it was like the force of the sun came through with her smile. He caught himself grinning stupidly at her and quickly averted his gaze, right into his mother’s knowing stare.