Page 31 of Fake It Till You Make It

“Who, me?”

“Yeah, you.” He bounded up the remaining steps to escort her down. “Meet Lourdes Pendleton. Her family owns and operates the local bank. Now that you’ve arrived from Washington, D.C., I can formally announce your recent partnership with Calvary Veterinary Clinic.”

“Hello, Lourdes. A pleasure to meet you.” She smiled.

Money exempted the Pendletons from common courtesies, so Lourdes raised her sharp chin, ignoring Amarie’s greeting.

Amarie looked up at him, brows drawn. “Is partnership a metaphor for full time? I’m confused.”

Good for her, refusing to stoop to Lourdes’s level. Taking her hand, he pulled until she stood beside him. Her hair smelled of apples in summer rain, juicy and sweet on the tongue. His mouth watered and a few things tightened, making him hate this predicament even more. “Quit joking. Lourdes might get the wrong idea.”

“Her? I’ve been elevated to partner overnight.”

He gave her shoulders a little shake. “Exactly. Why do you smell like a fruit salad?”

She looked at him, smirking. “Stop sniffing and explain. Slowly, please. I’m pre–caffeine infusion.”

Hiccup ambled closer, rubbing his dark nose along her capris. With her eyes staying on Eli, she rubbed the dog’s golden coat, ruffling his ears till he flopped, a happy puddle of playful puppy at her feet. Attention hog.

“Yes, help me to understand, too,” Lourdes added.

Eli cleared his throat, announcing too loud, “Lourdes and her family want to buy Calvary land. I stated clearly that it’s not for sale as we, that includes you, are partnering in a new lucrative venture.”

“Oh, I see.” Amarie nodded. “You need me now. I think I’m going to grab some coffee, then we can negotiate my terms and benefits.” She shifted her weight, as if to walk away.

“No ma’am. You stay put.” Amarie’s toes peaked at him… again. She had a checkerboard pattern, lavender crisscross lines through the solid purple of yesterday. When did she find the time?

“Please stop this community theater,” Lourdes snapped, crossing her arms. “Really, Eli? I know she’s just some vagrant you hired off the streets.”

Amarie stiffened. He paused, having never seen this blank chill on her face. Concern shifted from him to her. “Hey, you okay?”

“Fine,” she gritted out.

She was so in canine attack mode. Lourdes had triggered Amarie’s beast. Eli found himself intrigued.

“I am not a trespasser to be overlooked or underestimated, Miss Pendleton,” she rasped, spine rigid, tone clipped. “As Eli told you, I’m his full-time partner in Calvary Veterinary Clinic, effective immediately. We are working together to restructure the practice with the bachelor auction being the first of several planned community outreach initiatives to increase brand awareness and revenue.”

“Now wait a minute,” Eli started. “The auction—”

“Did I mention you can’t afford my closing fee without the estimated revenue stream?” she whispered. “Perhaps I’ll take my coffee in the clinic and leave you here… with the she-devil.”

He couldn’t have that, so Eli wrapped his arm around Amarie’s shoulders and hauled her closer. Well, hell. She’d come to his rescue, transitioned to a full-time employee, and hog-tied him to the bachelor auction. He held her in front of him like a shield.

“We’ll discuss fees later,” he whispered. “Focus on the problem in the room.”

“Your problem, so why am I the one in striking distance?”

“Handled her better than I did. I got your back.” A very nice backside, too. Amarie’s soft curves against his body felt natural. Like a warm blanket he’d curled up with for his whole life. Which was crazy thinking in the current heat wave. Nevertheless, he didn’t let go. All else faded away as his senses savored Amarie’s scent. If happiness had a fragrance, it would be hers, warm, soft, and sweet.

A harsh scoff intruded on Eli’s very pleasant daydream.

“Helluva tale.” Lourdes’s narrowed blue eyes flashed in warning. “But I’ll be watching and waiting. Eli, my offer leaves when I do.”

“Oh,” Amarie reared back, “that sounds soGangs of New York. Bye-bye now.”

Eli couldn’t help but chuckle at Amarie’s bite.

“Whatever, you—you fake. I don’t believe any of this, not one bit. Nobody at the Black Bear said anything about you having an investor. It doesn’t matter. In fact, I’m going to make sure this bachelor auction of yours fails. You’ll beg for me before this is over, Eli. Mark my words. Beg for my help to save this itty-bitty practice, Eli.” Lourdes pointed a finger at his head, like a sniper rifle.