“This is perfect,” she says. “Because I was actually calling to let you know Grant was able to move some work obligations around, so we’re coming to see you in three days.”

“Uh...”

“Sorry for the short notice,” she goes on. “We didn’t think we could swing it at first, but then everything sort of fell into place all at once. Isn’t that great?”

Great isn’t the word I’d use for it. There are many, many other adjectives I’d choose before that one, in fact. My mind rapidly cycles through them, with a couple of colorful cuss words thrown in too for good measure.

Besides the fact that their visits tend to put me a bit on edge, this is such a bad time with everything going on at the inn. I’m already on edge! Any more on edge, and I will go flying off the edge and crash to the floor.

Like my glasses. Crap, where did they go?

“Brenden?”

“Oh yeah, sounds great!” I lie, lie, lie. “May will be thrilled to see you.”

That last part, at least, is true.

“I can’t wait to see her,” Elise says. “And to meet this man of yours.”

Oh. Shit.

Fucking shit on a cracker.

“He uh…” I start, but then I struggle to find a plausible excuse for why my imaginary boyfriend won’t be able to meet them. He died? No, that doesn’t make sense. Oh! He’ll be out of town. That’s a good one. “He’ll be—”

“Hon, I’m so sorry, my oven beeped. I’ve got to take the roast out. We’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay,” I say dumbly. I might be in a state of shock.

After she hangs up, though, I snap out of it. Now I’m trying not to hyperventilate as I mentally run through ways I could possibly fix the mess I’ve just gotten myself into.

A throat clears, startling me out of wondering if fleeing the country with May and changing our names would be too extreme.

I look up to find Travis standing in the doorway of my office holding a plate of muffins and staring at me like I have three heads. Granted, he’s a little blurry since I’m still missing my glasses, so it’s possible I’m the one looking at him that way.

“Hi,” I say, trying to smile like everything’s normal and I’m not currently freaking the fuck out. I jump up and swipe my glasses off the floor. I jam them on my face, then fall back into my desk chair. “Um. Are those for me?”

His gaze flicks to the plate in his hand. “I wanted you to choose the best flavor. Since when are you seeing someone who practically lives with you?”