Fox gives her an appreciative look. “I like that. All right. Flowers.” He stays with her in the kitchen while she moves on to making the frosting. By the time the front door opens, excitement is buzzing in Joy’s veins. She gasps, exhilaration getting the best of her.

“Relax,” Fox whispers.

Joy’s never done anything like this in her life before. Will they really be able to pull this off? “I don’t know if I can. Does this feel really exciting to you too?”

“I wouldn’t say ‘exciting.’ ” He glances at the entryway. “Shh, here they come. I’ll start it. Follow my lead.”

“Okay. Yeah. Okay. I can do that.”

He holds her gaze, skeptical but amused. “You sure?”

“Yeah, I got it. I can be cool. I fake date people all the time.”

Summer appears first, surprise written across her face. “Oh,” she says, gaze darting to the cakes set out on the cooling racks. “Have you been up long?

That poor sweet Summer child. Still clinging to hope that a birthday cake could be a surprise on someone’s birthday. Fox didn’t even ask about it.

“Unfortunately. Still having a hard time sleeping, but Joy’s been great company.”

“It’s true. I am great.”

“That you are.” Malcolm’s eyes are on his phone. He probably doesn’t even realize he spoke out loud. “Delivery should be here soon. Do you need help cleaning up?”

“I got it.” Fox stands up. He walks around the counter, picking up the remaining dishes that Joy hadn’t taken to the sink yet. “Tell me more about your twin.”

“You do have a weird thing with twins. I knew it.”

“It’s not weird.”

“But it’s a thing.” Joy joins him and asks, “I wash, you dry?”

“No. And yes.” He pauses then adds, “You’re very . . . intense. Two of you would be too powerful.”

Joy considers this, trying to keep a straight face and not laugh. “Intense how?”

“Just intense.”

“I need more than that. I’m trying to decide if I want to be offended or not.” She turns on the tap, letting the water run until it warms up. “You think you’re slick, but I see you. I’m Annie Oakley and I got you in my sights.”

“You did not just quote Kill Bill?”

Joy gasps.

“And don’t think I didn’t catch that The Strangers reference earlier.”

Joy gasps again.

Fox playfully side-eyes her. “You’re not slick either.”

She gets an idea, ready to drive this dry-run performance home. She’s all in, cards on the table. “Are you flirting with me? Because if you are, I’m totally into it. Movie flirting is the best kind.”