Page 47 of The Fiancé Hoax

The last thing I wanted was to hurt them, and I was afraid this fake engagement would do exactly that.

But what could I do? It was too late to stop now.

Felicity reached across the table for Lily’s hand and squeezed it. “That’s really sweet you want to make it for me, Lily. But I don’t want us to hurt your mom’s feelings.”

Lily looked down at her plate. “I don’t think Mommy would care.”

“Are you sure, Lily? You could make it for your mom and give it to her the next time you see her,” I offered.

“She always cancels,” Lily said. “I want to make it for Felicity.”

Felicity and I exchanged a glance. I gave her a nod, ignoring the constriction in my chest.

“Okay. Well, I can tell you some of my favorite things.” Felicity spoke cautiously. “I love chocolate. Purple tulips are my favorite flowers. And daffodils.”

Lily nodded, trying to remember it all.

“What’s your favorite animal?” Eva asked.

“Cats.”

“What’s your favorite color cat?” Lily asked with a serious look on her face.

Felicity thought for a second. “I like orange cats. Oh, and calico cats!”

“I love calico cats!” Eva declared. Then she shot me an annoyed look. “Daddy won’t let us get a cat.”

“He won’t?” Felicity asked, her mouth curling into a smile.

“No, he won’t,” Lily said with a pout.

“Why not?” Felicity asked.

All three of them turned to me expectantly. My daughters were happy to have Felicity on their side.

I laughed. “I said we can get a pet someday. When you’re both a little older so you can take care of it.”

Eva harrumphed. “Like when I’m fifteen, probably.”

“I can barely handle you two hooligans, much less a cat on top of everything.”

The doorbell rang, and I heard Monica open the front door.

“Two more bites, please,” I told Eva. I had a feeling the visitor we’d just received was about to put an end to dinner.

“Please, Mr. Hayes, they’re having dinner,” Monica’s voice came through the hall.

Felicity’s eyes widened as she looked at me.

“Lily, finish your potatoes,” I said calmly.

Marsh Hayes blew into the dining room, his face red.

“There you are,” he said angrily to Felicity.

Monica hustled in behind Marsh. “I’m sorry, Mr. Pierce. He wouldn’t listen to me.”

I waved her off. “It’s fine, Monica. The girls were just finishing up.” Monica nodded and left the room.