Chapter 4

Tabitha nervously smoothed her skirt as she entered the Lone Wolf Cafe. The cozy interior wrapped around her like a warm hug with its honey-colored wood, plush armchairs, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Spotting Bram Hartley in a corner booth, she wove through the sparse afternoon crowd to join him.

"Hey, there, partner," Bram greeted with a lopsided grin as she slid into the seat across from him. His amber eyes gleamed mischievously beneath dark brows.

Tabitha's stomach fluttered at the endearment, even knowing it was all for show. "Hey, yourself. Ready to hash out the details of our little arrangement?"

Bram leaned back, his broad shoulders stretching his flannel shirt in distracting ways. "Let's do it. I'll grab us some coffee first."

As he walked to the counter, Tabitha admired the view. The man filled out a pair of jeans sinfully well. She shook her head. Focus, Tabitha. This is strictly business.

Bram returned balancing two steaming mugs and a plate of cookies. The ceramic clinked as he set them on the table. "I got you a vanilla latte. Seemed to fit your whole sweet and sassy vibe."

"Thanks." She wrapped her hands around the mug, inhaling the sweet scent. "So, ground rules. What's off limits?"

"I'm an open book." Bram dunked a cookie in his coffee. "I'm all yours. Although my mama raised me to be a gentleman, so I'll keep things PG-13 in public."

"PG is better," Tabitha said, trying not to imagine his large hands skating along her curves. "Hand holding, hugs, maybe a peck on the cheek."

He barked a chuckle. "A peck on the cheek? What are we, middle schoolers?"

"What do you mean?"

His gaze held her captive. "I told you that shifters meet, claim, and mate. Pecks on the cheek are not gonna sell our story. We need kissing."

She gulped. "I thought you weren't being serious."

"I'm afraid that's one area we can't negotiate."

"Kissing?"

His gaze shot down to her mouth. "Kissing."

"Okay, but nothing crazy." As it was, she was sure the whole town could tell she had the hots for him. "We have to be able to sell it without feeling too..."

"Frisky?" Bram wagged his brows playfully.

Tabitha laughed. "Exactly. No frisky business, mister."

"I'll be a perfect low-frisk fake boyfriend," he vowed, extending a pinky in a childish promise.

She linked her pinky with his, ignoring the zip of awareness from the simple touch. "Deal. So our origin story..."

"Right. I'm thinking we stick to my original idea. Love at first sight?" Bram popped the rest of the cookie in his mouth. "Romantic but vague enough not to bog us down in details we might flub later."

"I like it." She sipped her latte, the vanilla soothing her nerves. "Ooh, we should take a selfie. Photographic evidence."

"Good call." Bram scooted around the booth until their shoulders brushed. Tabitha held up her phone and they leaned in close, grinning brightly at the camera. She snapped a few shots, hyper-aware of his woodsy scent and radiating heat.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" a familiar voice teased.

Tabitha glanced up to see Kade and Celeste approaching, wearing matching smirks. She'd met the cafe owners a few days ago when she first arrived in town, but this was the first time they were seeing her with Bram.

"Hey, guys," Bram greeted casually. "Just enjoying some quality time with my girl." He draped an arm around Tabitha's shoulders, tugging her closer.

Kade arched a brow. "Your girl, huh? Since when?"

"Since I laid eyes on her." Bram pressed a kiss to her temple, making her insides flutter. "What can I say? When a shifter finds his mate, it's game over."

Celeste cooed, clutching her heart. "Oh, that's so romantic. I'm so happy for you two."

Tabitha blushed, ducking her head. "Thanks, Celeste. It's all happened so fast but in a good way." She leaned into Bram's solid warmth, savoring his pine and leather scent.

Celeste gave her a wink. "I know all about how fast these shifters work."

Kade still looked skeptical, crossing his burly arms. "You sure about this, man? You've never been the type to move fast."

Bram just shrugged. "When it's right, it's right. I've never been more sure of anything." His eyes were steady and sincere when they met hers, making her breath catch. Damn, he was good at this.

"All right then. Congrats, you two." Kade's face softened into a smile. "Tabitha, welcome to the clan. If this lug gives you any trouble, you just let me know." He winked.

She grinned. "I think I can handle him but thanks."

They chatted for a few more minutes before Kade and Celeste stepped away to check on other customers. As soon as they were out of earshot, Tabitha exhaled gustily.

"Whew. I think we sold it." She took a bracing gulp of her latte.

Bram squeezed her shoulder. "Damn right, we did. They totally bought the mate line. Nice touch leaning into me, by the way."

"Just playing my part." She aimed for breezy even as her stupid heart raced. "So what's our next move, lover boy?"

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I'm thinking we make our biggest debut as a couple at the Harvest Festival. Really seal the deal, you know?"

"Good idea." She mentally rifled through her scant wardrobe. "Guess I need to find a dress that screams ‘I'm in love,' huh?"

"Nah, you'll look gorgeous in anything." Bram's gaze was warm and appreciative as it swept over her, igniting a blush. "But you know, we should probably meet up again before that. A lot. Really sell the whole whirlwind romance thing."

"So another fake date?" Her pulse kicked up a notch, but she kept her tone light. "If you insist. Maybe a hike? You can give me the lay of the land."

His eyes crinkled with a smile. "It's a date. A fake one, but still."

Tabitha laughed, shaking her head. What was she getting herself into? Fake dating Bram was either going to be the best or worst decision of her life. But with her inheritance and powers on the line, she couldn't back out now.

She just had to keep reminding herself that none of this was real, no matter how convincing Bram's act. Her stupid heart couldn't seem to distinguish fact from fiction when he looked at her like that, all soft and admiring.

As they hashed out the details of their upcoming "dates," Tabitha tried to ignore the butterflies rioting in her stomach every time Bram's knee bumped hers under the table.

Friends. They were just new friends doing each other a mutually beneficial favor. No real feelings involved. She could totally handle this.

Even if his crooked grin made her weak in the knees and his voice sent shivers down her spine. She was an adult witch on a mission, not some infatuated schoolgirl.

She could resist Bram Hartley's considerable charms. No problem. Right?

Tabitha sighed internally, wrapping her hands tighter around her mug. Who was she kidding? She was in way over her head.

But there was no going back now. The show must go on. She just hoped her heart survived the encore.