“Are you in love with Gabe Carlyle?” Mariella asked in a hushed tone, staring at Angi with wide eyes.

“I didn’t say that.”

“That’s not an answer.” Mariella waved and called goodbye to the mother-daughter duo.

“We have an arrangement. Mutually beneficial through the holidays.”

“Still not an ans—”

“Yes,” Angi said on a hiss of breath. “It’s ridiculous and stupid and bound to lead to a broken heart, but I have totally fallen for that man.” She squeezed shut her eyes, again bracing for Mariella’s reaction.

Silence.

Finally she peeked out of one squinted eye.

Mariella was smiling at her.

“Stop,” she muttered.

“You’re in love.”

“With a man who is leaving town as soon as his mom gets here.”

“Because he doesn’t know how you feel. You have to give him a reason to stay.”

Angi shook her head. “I’m not a reason to stay. I’m a thirty-year-old woman doing a job I hate and living with my overbearing mother while raising my son, who is still struggling and I have no idea how to fix his problems or mine.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I’m a reason to run the other direction as fast as he can.”

“You love him,” Mariella said. “You make him happy. That’s a reason to stay and fight. For both of you. All the other stuff will work itself out.”

“How can you be so optimistic about my life and so down on your own?”

“Because I’m a recovering train wreck,” Mariella answered immediately. “You’re a good person, Ang. You have a great kid. You deserve happiness. Why shouldn’t it be with Gabe?”

“I was horrible to him when we were younger. He knows the worst part of me. And I’m sure he won’t stay in Magnolia once his mother arrives. As far as Gabe is concerned, what’s between us is for show in town and so that we can mutually scratch an itch in the bedroom.”

Mariella leaned forward. “You’ve had sex with him.”

“Yes,” Angi said, looking away.

“You’re blushing. I bet it was great. Was it great? Hot? Was he amazing? Let me live vicariously through you. Please just tell me something so—”

“The sex was amazing.” Angi yelled the words like an accusation.

At that exact moment, the door opened.

“Welcome,” Mariella called cheerily, then grimaced at Angi. “Maybe they didn’t hear.”

Meredith Ventner walked around a shelf of candles and bath products, a medium-sized mutt following close at her side. “Who’s having amazing sex?” she asked with a grin. “Carrie and Avery always get the town gossip first. I’m going to scoop them on this.”

Angi whirled to face the pixie-sized dog rescuer. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“Is the dude married?”

“Of course not.” Angi shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“It’s Gabe,” Mariella volunteered.

“But why is that news?” Meredith gave a little tug on the leash when the dog hesitated. “I thought you two were dating.”

“Fake,” Mariella said with a wink.