Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

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“Oh. Yeah. Sorry.”

“We can use shrimp.”

“Yes please.”

“It’s fussier.”

“I’m used to dealing with you. I can handle it.”

His chuckle wipes away that last hint of frustration. His eyes brighten. His posture softens. He turns toward me, inviting me into…

Into something. I’m not sure.

I press my lips together. “Where’s the shrimp?”

“Freezer.”

I reach into said freezer, find the package on the top shelf, next to a dozen packages of frozen spinach. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You get to be my age, you have to watch what you eat.”

My laugh dissolves the last hint of tension in my shoulders. Playful Ryan is a rare treat. And he’s all mine.

He’s happy.

“You’re right. That was insensitive of me.” I set the package on the counter between us. “Forgive me?”

“If you ditch the sass.”

“Not sure I can promise that.”

His smile spreads over his cheeks. “Don’t I know it.” He brushes a wavy strand from his eyes. “What do you want in this?”

“Whatever is the easiest.”

“Carrots and broccoli are hard to overcook.”

“Perfect.”

He motions to the fridge. “Bottom drawer on the right.”

“I know.” I pull the door, crouch, dig through said drawer. I look up at Ryan as I hand over a bunch of carrots and a head of broccoli.

He looks down at me with a lazy smile.

The same as this morning.

The same affection.

The same intimacy.

The same easiness.

My head spins as I rise to my feet. But it’s not my head. It’s the world tilting on its axis.

There’s a chance he’ll be mine.