At the appointed time, he headed out, but finding a place to park on the square ate into his head start, and walking the two blocks to the restaurant she’d suggested took a bit as well. When he arrived, Leanne was already waiting for him. She lifted a hand as he stepped in. It was a small Mexican place with only eight tables, and the food was fantastic. He’d eaten here a few times with the guys since Miguel knew the family that ran the place.

“What’s up?” he asked.

He didn’t say she looked great, although she did, because he hadn’t gotten date vibes from her terse text. As soon as he sat down, she said, “I heard you had breakfast with my mom.”

“Was I not supposed to?”

“She loves you,” Leanne snapped.

“Uh, sorry…” He really wasn’t following.

This is what she wanted, right?

“It’s a little bit of a problem because now she’s talking about renting an apartment in town or answering a roommate ad here. She wants to stick around for our wedding.”

“Oh shit,” Trev said. “Dinner is one thing. But we can’t get married as a…” The word escaped him for a bit, then he snapped his fingers when it came to him. “As a ploy.”

She grinned. “That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Why can’t we?”

Chapter 7

Leanne laughed at Trev’s expression.

If she’d shared her idea with any of her coven sisters, they’d stage an intervention and maybe do a spell to rid her of unwholesome influences. That was why she was keeping quiet, talking to Trev first. Articulating her thoughts would help him understand her intentions and maybe he could get on board. Then again, a photo-op marriage might seem like a terrible idea for someone who hadn’t already done it twice.

“Just so you know, I’m totally ordering the biggest burrito they have and you’re paying for it. You owe me for dragging me over here to screw with me,” he said.

He thinks I’m joking.

“Let’s order, and then…just keep an open mind, all right? That’s all I’m asking.”

The server came over with chips and salsa, and as promised, Trev ordered a jumbo burrito. Leanne went with chicken enchiladas with green sauce. Once they were alone, she laid out her case.

“People get married for all kinds of reasons. As I see it, we both benefit from this. You said you’re good at basic maintenance—what about cooking and housekeeping?”

Trev eyed her skeptically. “You don’t have to marry me. Just hire a housekeeper.”