Page 73 of The Fiancé Hoax

“Of course.” I beamed as I removed the jumper from the rack and carried it to the sales counter. My first, and likely only, sale of the day.

She handed me her credit card and looked around the empty store once more. There hadn’t been a single customer the entire half hour she’d been here. “I guess this is a slow shopping day.”

“Yeah, very slow.”

“Well, not to worry. You'll have hordes of LA parents looking for upscale children's clothing beating down your door once this goes to press.”

I laughed. “I'll be ready for them.”

I handed her the bag with her purchase. Dana shook my hand and gave me a warm smile. “Thanks again, Felicity. I appreciate your time.”

“Thank you, Dana. It was so nice to talk to you.”

“Let’s talk again soon!” She walked to the front door and gave me a wave before she left.

I walked toward the entrance and looked out on the street. Shoppers streamed in and out of the stores surrounding Moonstone. Apparently it wasn't a slow day for them. Just me.

The reality of what I just said in the interview sank in. I began to pace through the center aisle of the store.

Had I gotten in over my head? Was I really prepared to offer custom-made clothing for children?

For so long, I’d wanted Moonstone to be a thriving business. Now that I had this opportunity laid before me, I was a nervous wreck.

And what would Cooper say when he read the article? Would he think I was just using him to further my business?

“Babe, are you doing some new exercise routine you haven't told me about?”

I whipped around to see Lauren standing by the front door. I had been so caught up in my worry, I hadn’t heard the door chime when she walked in.

“Lauren!” I exclaimed, rushing to her and wrapping her in a hug. “I'm so glad to see you.”

“It's good to see you, too. But it’s only been a couple days. Look, I brought lunch.” She carried it to the sales counter and unpacked some takeout sandwiches from the sub shop down the street.

“Thanks.”

She looked at me. “Hey, are you okay? Did you do that interview?”

“Yes, the writer just left. And I'm fine. I just bit off more than I can chew.”

“What happened?”

“I told her I was offering custom-made fashions for little girls.”

“That's awesome!” Lauren grinned. “I love the direction you're taking with the store now. That bad boy has been a good influence on you. I knew it all along.”

I pulled my hair up into a bun and secured it with a pencil from the sales counter. “I’m happy about these changes. But I'm worried I won't be able to keep up with it all.”

“Aren’t you teaching Cooper’s daughters how to sew?”

“Yes. They still have a lot to learn, but they’ve made excellent progress for their age.”

“There you go. Put them to work making the clothes. Two more pairs of hands.”

I laughed. “You’ve been here two minutes, and you’re already trying to get me to break child labor laws.”

She giggled. “Don’t worry, Felicity. You’ll figure it out. And you better do it soon, because you're going to be in high demand as soon as that article is published.”

I clasped my hands together. “I know! It's so exciting. And nerve-racking. But exciting!”