“You were in a wedding? Like as an attendant?”

He frowned. “Best man, actually. One of my army buddies.”

“That’s so strange.”

“You think so?”

“Did you smile for pictures?” She studied him as if he were a puzzle to solve. “And dance and make a toast? Like an actual human being.”

“Tell me what you really think about me.” He shook his head. Maybe this plan to distract her was working too well. The last thing he wanted or needed was someone dissecting his habits or personality or where he was lacking in either area.

“You just don’t seem like the wedding-party type.”

“My actual friends would tell you I’m not the fake-boyfriend type either, but your mom seems to be on board with it.”

“She likes you,” Angi murmured, still in puzzle-solving mode.

“She likes the thought of you settled.”

That drew an unexpected laugh from her. “I’m a single mom living in my childhood bedroom and working the same job I had when I was sixteen. Not exactly living the wild life here.”

She pointed to an overly large plastic bag stuffed between two shelves. “There’s the tree. It’s a behemoth, but luckily my dad updated to one with pre-strung lights a couple of years ago. I have so many memories of him shouting and swearing at the burned-out bulbs.”

“Why is your mom so interested in finding you a guy? Does she do the same thing with your brothers?”

Angi shook her head. “Luca has been dating the same woman for five years, even though it’s been nearly that long since he brought her to visit. They’re bound to get engaged one of these days. Marco is a serial dater with no intention of settling down.”

“Neither of them wants to work in the family restaurant?”

“Oh, Lord, no. They both hightailed it out of Magnolia as soon as they were able. For some reason, my mom doesn’t worry about them like she does me. Maybe because they’re doing well and I’m—”

“You’re raising a great kid, taking care of your mom, running the family business and making a go of your own business at the same time. Give yourself a break, Ang.”

“I never thought I’d get a pep talk from you.” She dragged out the tree bag, sneezing once when a cloud of dust puffed into the air.

“I didn’t anticipate giving one,” Gabe agreed, and took hold of the edge. “You’re not the same person who treated people like dirt on your shoe back in the day.”

“Not a flattering assessment, but I guess it’s a win that you think I’ve changed.”

He heard the pain in her voice and stopped moving until she looked at him. Her gaze was solid on his, and if he didn’t know better he’d swear he saw understanding in it. “People make mistakes,” he told her.

“Does that mean you forgive me for mine?”

“You don’t need my forgiveness,” he told her. “I’m just the pretend boyfriend.” He made the words casual and focused on maneuvering the tree up the narrow staircase. He didn’t know if Angi truly wanted his forgiveness or if he was in a place to give it to her.