Mom catches my tone, though, and chuckles. “Okay, Mindy, point taken. All right, lunch time. You guys wait—”
“Oh,” Roxy says next to me, her hand pressed against her chest. “Talk about Prince Charming.”
I turn to see Oliver walking in carrying a bouquet of roses. My heart does a backflip as he walks over to me, a beaming smile on his face. “I brought something for you, Princess,” he says, handing me the roses. “They’re not as beautiful as you . . . but then again, nothing is.”
I stare at the bouquet as if it’s a vase full of snakes. Still, his words have an impact, and I’m shocked. What’s he up to? “Th–th–thank you.”
“Oh, my God. That’s so sweet,” Mom says, fanning her face to prevent smearing her mascara, tears in her eyes. Every woman in the room has watery eyes with the exception of Layla, who looks like she’s going through great lengths not to roll hers. Even I’m feeling a bit choked up, and looking into his face, I’m having to remind myself over and over that this is all an act. He’s just pretending. He has to be.
“You’re welcome,” Oliver says, his deep voice dripping like honey. He leans down to give me a firm kiss on the lips. His scent envelops me. It’s a bit spicy from his cologne, but underscored with his unique manly flavor. I love it, and pretend or not, my body responds.
When he pulls away, I almost feel like I need a ventilator. My head is swimming, I’m confused, not able to think, and I can feel my cheeks burning. To hide my embarrassment, I bury my nose in the roses. Maybe it’s the moment, but they smell better than any roses I’ve ever seen.
“That was so sweet of you,” Mom repeats. “You really are a gentleman.”
Oliver grins and flashes her a smile. “I try.”
“Can we clone you?” Roxy asks, and while I know she’s just being silly, I swear she sounds like she’s all gaga too.
Oliver laughs, shaking his head. “Sorry, Roxy, I don’t think that’s possible yet.”
“No, seriously. Can we clone? I got a cup that you can donate your DNA—”
“That’s enough, Roxy!” I say firmly.
“Selfish, stingy . . .” Roxy’s words trail off as she makes a face, then turns and walks toward the dining room.
“Hold on, Roxy,” Oliver says. “John and I were talking, and we’ve had the tables set out on the second-floor balcony. We’re going to do lunch out there. The day is too beautiful to let it go to waste.”
Mom looks at John, beaming. “That’s a great idea! You two make a great team, John. It’s going to be great having Oliver as your son-in-law.”
“Thanks, honey,” John says, “but it was all his idea.”
Oliver turns his eyes on me and smiles. It’s not a smirk, and it’s not mocking or joking. It’s a smile that makes me weak in the knees. “It’s nothing, really. I do it all for her. My Princess deserves the absolute best.”
I tear my eyes away from his gaze, my cheeks flaming. My heart feels fuzzy. Weird. I’m so confused and conflicted. I know this is all supposed to be fake, but Oliver is turning up the heat, and my heart, among other places, thinks it’s real.
If he keeps this up, I’m going to be clawing his back and screaming his name before the week’s out.
Chapter 12
Oliver
“Here you go, Princess,” I say, pulling out the seat for her. Out on the balcony, I don’t think I could ask for a more perfect lunch time. The sun’s high in the sky and the skies are a perfect blue. Past the back lawn, you can see the wall that borders the estate before the land drops, and the ocean begins. It’s not too warm, not too cold, and the breeze has just a hint of salt on it. I don’t think I could have scripted a more beautiful or romantic location for lunch.
Mindy’s cheeks flush as she sinks in her seat. The staff have set up small tables for two or three people around the balcony as if it’s an outdoor restaurant. Each couple has their own table while Roxy, Layla, and Ivy Jo share a third, leaving one for me and Mindy.
“Thank you,” she says, her voice small.
I wink at her. “My pleasure. You look lovely, by the way.”
I take my seat as a cool breeze flows in from the ocean, and I inhale deeply. “Jeez, this place is like a paradise.”
“It is,” Mindy agrees, enjoying the cool air with a satisfied look. “This was all your idea?” she asks quietly enough so the others don’t hear. She doesn’t need to worry—she’d have to be talking pretty loudly. There’s comfortable space between the tables.