Page 46 of The Fiancé Hoax

“Need a ride?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, I’m parked out back.”

“Can you leave it here overnight?”

I hesitated.

“I don’t think anyone’s going to steal your Plymouth.” He smiled. “We can talk more business in my car. I’ll drop you off here tomorrow on my way to work.”

“Okay, sure,” I said, trying not to sound too eager.

I stepped outside behind him, locking the front door and following him to his Bentley Bentayga. With a smile, he opened the passenger door for me. I climbed in, my heart aflutter. He sat behind the wheel looking like a male fashion model with his dark sunglasses on.

Cooper drove us to his house—my temporary home. As I rode, he gave me more advice. I scribbled down ideas in my notebook. He knew his stuff, and I wanted to get every word.

Most of all, I tried not to think about the future with him.

This was temporary, and I was just along for the ride.

13

COOPER

“So, can you, Daddy?”

I looked at Eva’s expectant face. We were eating dinner, and I’d been distracted by Felicity sitting across from me. Those curves were enough to distract any red-blooded man.

I smiled at my daughter. “Sorry, Eva. What were you saying?”

Eva rolled her eyes. “Mrs. Denkins wants to know if you can chaperone our class trip to the museum in two weeks. Tamsen’s and Olivia’s moms are going. Clare’s mom, too.”

I opened the calendar app on my phone, then glanced at the date in the email from Eva’s teacher.

“Okay. I can do it,” I said.

“Yay!” Eva sprang to her feet and began to dance.

“No dancing at the table,” I said. “Finish your chicken.”

Felicity giggled, then winked at Eva as my eight-year-old plopped in her seat and ate a bite of potatoes.

“I’m glad to see you’ve all bounced back from that stomach bug,” I said. “Lily, how was school today?”

“Fine. I have to make something for Mother’s Day at school.” Lily turned to Felicity. “Can you help me?”

“Sure,” Felicity said. “What are you making?”

Lily shrugged. “It’s a craft project. We’re supposed to find out what our mommies like and make something for them.”

I shifted in my seat. Mother’s Day was always hard on the girls. School projects like this didn’t make it easier.

Felicity glanced at me, then back at Lily. “Well, what does your mom like? We could make a list of her favorite things. Her favorite color, animal, food…”

Lily shook her head. “I don’t want to make it for her. I want to make it for you.”

Felicity paused for a long moment. My throat closed up, and I took a sip of water as I watched them.

Shit. What had I done? The girls were getting too attached to Felicity. I hadn’t counted on that happening so quickly.