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“I feel like you should’ve known who he was since you’re dating,” Nolan accuses.

My gaze snaps to him. “Fake dating,” Bennett and I say in unison.

Nolan shrugs one shoulder. “I think you two should date legitimately. You have a lot in common, and if I’m not mistaken, I sense a bit of a spark here.”

“There’s no spark,” we both counter at the same time.

Nolan’s grin widens. “And now you’re speaking in unison. At this rate, you’ll be finishing each other’s sentences by the end of the week.”

Heat floods my cheeks, and thankfully, the awkward moment is broken when the real plumber enters the dining room. “All done,” he says.

“Great,” I reply, standing.

“The main is back on.”

“Thank you.”

“Who do I give this to?” he asks, holding up the piece of paper in his hand.

My stomach churns as I again find myself worrying about how I’m going to afford this. Nanna only has a hundred dollars in her drawer, and I don’t get paid until the end of the week. The call-out fee alone would be more than that.

“Me,” I answer, rounding the table.

Before I can reach him, Bennett’s hand shoots out and steals the invoice. “I’ve got it,” is all he says.

“I’m not letting you pay for this.”

“I don’t believe I gave you a choice, Poppy.”

Nolan clears his throat. “I’m just going to add sexual tension to the growing list of things you two have in common.”

“Go and wait in the car,” Bennett growls.

“It was nice meeting you, Poppy. I’ll see you at the wedding in two weeks. I’m assuming you’ll be attending as my brother’s plus one.”

“Wedding?”

“Yes, my wedding.”

“I work weekends,” I inform him.

“She works too much,” Bennett chimes in.

I narrow my eyes as my hands go to my hips. “You don’t even know me.”

His self-assured gaze meets mine. “I know enough, sweetheart.”

Chapter 6

Bennett

I’m still buttoning my shirt as I descend the front stairs at Poppy’s house. The fabric is warm and toasty thanks to her clothes dryer. As I pop the last button through the hole, I look up to find my brother leaning against my car like a smug motherfucker.

“Get in,” I snap. “And don’t say a word.”

His smile widens as he opens the Lamborghini door and climbs in, looking far too amused by my irritation.

As soon as I slide into the driver’s seat, he starts chanting, “Bennett’s got a girlfriend. Bennett’s got a girlfriend.”