He thought for a moment. “So, when you tell her you’re single, she won’t donate? That sounds crazy.”
“I know, but when I saw her the other night, she made a big deal about marriage and children.” I leaned forward. “She invited herself over to my house to have dinner with me and my husband. She said she could learn a lot about people by spending time in their home. You know what she’s going to learn about me?”
“You’re a dedicated teacher?”
I scoffed. “That I’m a lying old maid who can’t keep house. I can’t even cook, Tucker.” All of a sudden, I felt sick again, but it had nothing to do with drinking too much and everything to do with being judged as a spinster with a tired home.
He finished chewing his eggs, took a sip of his coffee and then looked at me. “There is a simple solution to this problem.”
“I’d love to hear it.”
“Get a fake husband. I hear it’s the rage in Salvation.”
I laughed, knowing that several couples, including his friend Brooke and the mayor engaged in a fake marriage. Except, it couldn’t have been that fake. Brooke and the mayor were happily married. As were Sinclair and Wyatt, and Trina and Ryder.
“Even if that was a possibility, where would I find a fake husband in the next couple of days?”
He held his hands out. “You’re looking at him.”
“No.”
He arched a brow.
“It’s not a good idea.” I said the words, even though inside, my girly parts flared to life at the idea of playing pretend couple with Tucker. Dumb hormones.
“What’s the big deal? One dinner. Turns out, I can cook. You solve two problems with one solution. Besides women, even old women like me.”
“Yes, I know,” I quipped.
“It’s the dimples?” He grinned, showing off said dimples. “Come on. We can pull this off. We have chemistry. We know each other well enough to act married.”
“Except—”
“Just for show, Holly. I won’t try any moves on you in private.”
How annoying that I was disappointed in that. Of course, there was still the problem of our age difference. What would Meredith think if I showed up with Tucker as my husband. Surely, she’d think it was completely inappropriate for me to be with a man thirteen years my junior.
I shook my head. “I’m just not sure she’d buy it. Or approve.”
“Approve? Of me? What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing. It’s just that—”
He leaned forward, his expression earnest. “I’m telling you, I’m good with women.”
“You’re not planning to sleep with her too, are you?” The minute it was out of my mouth I regretted it. I wasn’t even sure where it came from.
He frowned. “First, you and I didn’t sleep. Second, I’m not a horndog. I’ve been clear that I’m into you and only you.” He rolled his shoulders and the tension in his face lessened. “And I’m not a gigolo. I’ll help you get your money, but I won’t sell my body for you.” He grinned. “But I’m flattered you think my dick is powerful enough to generate thousands of dollars.”
I marveled how he could go from annoyed to joking in a breath. “Your dick is quite persuasive. But I just don’t see us being able to pull this off.”
He sat back. “Okay. I offered. If you’re okay in falling short of your goal and disappointing the children…”
I rolled my eyes. “Does this guilt trip usually work?”
He flashed his dimples. “Usually.” He reached out and took my hand. “Look, one dinner. How hard can it be to convince an old woman you’re a solid married woman? Especially if this library project is important to you?”
“It is. We did some fundraising at the Harvest Festival, but it wasn’t enough.”