Say You'll Marry Me

Logan picked up a fork and reached for the first bite of lemon poppy seed with whipped cream frosting. Instead of eating it himself, he turned to feed it to Joy.

Warmth flooded her face even though she knew it was part of the performance. His gaze met hers, full of challenge until she closed her lips around the dessert. He pulled the fork back and she automatically licked her lips for the frosting. His attention dropped, heat flickering in his eyes before he quickly reached for his own bite.

She flicked a glance at their table companions and saw a small smile twitching the corners of their hostess’ mouth. Joy’s cheeks warmed even more, but she ignored the sensation and turned to Gram. “Good, isn’t it?”

“I don’t care for that frosting,” she replied bluntly.

“Honestly, it’s not a favorite of mine, either,” Carrie agreed. “But I still wanted to provide the option.”

“How about this one?” Logan asked.

Joy turned her head to find another bite waiting for her. Though she was uncomfortable with Carrie watching with that smirk, she decided if he wanted to play it up, so could she.

The pumpkin with cream cheese frosting was divine, and she gave a low, genuine “Mmm” of appreciation. This time, she purposely swept her tongue along her lips, and noted another flare of reaction from her fake fiancé. She had the distinct impression he didn’t want to watch, but couldn’t help himself.

Good.

“I like that one a lot,” Gram agreed after they’d each tried a bite. “Though I’m not sure about pumpkin for a May wedding.”

She was supposed to have married Luke in May. A subtle sideways glance caught the tightening of Logan’s jaw.

“Oh?” Carrie’s blue gaze shot to the two of them. “You’ve set a date?”

“Yep,” he said.

“Not yet,” Joy said at the same time.

Gram paused in the middle of lifting a bite of carrot cake. “I thought everything was set for the third weekend in May?”

“Not quite.” She shot Logan a warning look. “We’re still discussing a date.”

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May was out. Just like the dress she planned to donate was out. And the chocolate cake that was next to taste. It was stupid, really, since the wedding they were planning wasn’t real, but copying any of the arrangements she’d made for her marriage to Luke felt wrong.

Thankfully, Grandma let the subject go, and once they finished the remaining selections on the plate, she said, “Is this it? What about red velvet?”

Carrie cast Joy a glance. “I can have a few more for you to try next week.”

“Oh, good,” Gram said. “Do either of you have a favorite so far?”

Joy raised her eyebrows toward Logan. He leaned back in his chair and gestured toward her with his chin. “You first.”

“No, go ahead.”

“Same time,” Carrie proposed with a grin coloring her voice.

Gazes locked, they both said, “Pumpkin.”

Joy laid a hand on his leg and gave a quick rub along his thigh as she leaned in for a kiss with a sweet smile. “Aw, honey, look at us being all agreeable.”

His answering smile stretched tight as he met her halfway, thigh muscles tense beneath her palm. The press of his lips lasted just long enough for her to register warmth and that little electric spark before he sat back again. She withdrew her hand when he subtly shifted his leg out of reach.

Carrie reached for the mostly empty plate. “May wedding or not, pumpkin sounds like a winner for now. We’ll keep that as the front runner, and I’ll make sure to have it again with the other selections.”

Her grandma set her cup of tea down and rose to her feet. “I’m going to use the ladies room before we go to the pet shop. I’ll be right back.”

Joy waited until she’d left before reaching for her purse. “I really appreciate all this, Carrie. What do I owe you for the cakes?”