Her Irresistible Troublemaker (A Town Named Eden Book 3) by Sonia Parin Page A

the flow. He’d come straight out with it and ask if she’d be interested in going with him as his plus one. No strings. No worries.
    “Please tell me you have a cleaning lady who comes in every day.” She strode back into the sitting room and sat next to him, leaving a gap between them on the sofa without making it too obvious.
    “A couple of times a week. Why?”
    “Apart from everything being spotless, there’s no clutter. It puts me to shame. My place is clean but I always cave in to impulse purchases, especially pencils. I love how they look so perfectly sharpened when they’re out of the box new—” She gestured with her hands. “It’s one of my quirks.”
    “Actually, this is one of my renovation jobs and I’m not sure how long I want to live here, so I haven’t acquired too much clutter. I suppose you think it’s lacking in personal touches.”
    “Let me guess, it’s all in storage.”
    He shrugged. “I’ve never really been into collecting stuff.”
    “Sporting trophies?”
    “I play a good game of golf and enjoy kicking a football around but I’ve never played competitive team sports.”
    “Family photos?”
    He threw his head back and laughed. “The place wouldn’t be big enough to house those.”
    “So you come from a large family.”
    “An ever expanding one,” he admitted. “My father’s been married a few times. In fact, he recently married for the fifth time, and he has a knack for staying sweet with his ex-wives, so they never fade into the background.”
    “He must be a charmer.”
    “Coffee?”
    “Did I hit a raw nerve or are you telling me it’s time to go home?”
    “I’m suggesting it’s time for an after dinner drink such as coffee, hot chocolate or tea. Talking about my father at the moment is not exactly my favorite pastime. Mason insists we need to throw a wedding reception for him.”
    “And you don’t agree?”
    He shrugged. “It defeats the purpose of eloping.”
    She nodded as if in understanding. “Is that what you were talking about earlier today with your brother?”
    “I was mostly listening. Mason’s like a dog with a chew bone at the moment. It’s not so bad because it means he has my back and vice versa. Between us, we manage to end up doing the right thing.”
    “But you’re not happy about your father’s latest marriage.”
    “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. I’m happy for him, but it’s a little complicated. Actually, while we’re on the subject…”
    “Are you going to ask me to marry you?”
    He tried to match her straight face look but couldn’t hold back the laughter. “No, we’re not quite there.” He shoved his hands inside his pockets and squared his shoulders. “How do you feel about taking the next step and having a public fake date?” The words spilled out, unchecked but fairly consistent with what they’d been talking about. Although, he suspected Lexie would smell a rat or at least, an ulterior motive for his impulsive invitation to watch a movie.
    “As opposed to a private fake date?”
    She held his gaze and Jack felt an overwhelming need to reassure her, of what, he had no idea.
    “I didn’t really think of tonight as a date, but I suppose it could be defined as one.” Although, if he had to be completely honest with himself, he’d asked her over because he hadn’t wanted to spend the night thinking about Lexie in her apartment or out with someone else. Jack took another drink of his beer and tried to ignore the epiphany still hovering in his mind.
    She gave him an impish grin. “And how would you rate it so far?”
    He laughed. “Okay. Let’s bring out the scorecards. I’ll rate you if you rate me. Are you up for it?”
    “Hmm, that depends.”
    “On?”
    “Your hot chocolate making skills.”
    “They’re exceptional, but I’ll let you be the judge.” He jumped to his feet and strode over to the kitchen. “Come and watch me prepare a life enhancing experience for you.” He pulled out a