Page 92 of The Fiancé Hoax

I checked my phone yet again. Still nothing from her. But then, I hadn't reached out since she stormed off last night, either.

I had no idea where we stood. Was she calling off the pretend engagement? Was I ever going to see her again?

As the hours passed, I felt more and more ashamed of my behavior last night.

I had been on a hair trigger, and with everything that had happened the day before, I lost it. When she told me she had been out walking, it seemed such a vague and unlikely answer that I couldn't believe it.

By the light of day, it still struck me as odd that she had disappeared for hours with her only explanation being that she had gone for a stroll.

But on the other hand, Felicity wasn't the type to mess around like that. Even though we weren't technically in an exclusive relationship, she had signed the contract and agreed to not date anyone else. If nothing else, she wouldn't sabotage the engagement for the sake of Eva and Lily.

Still, though, her behavior was strange. My mind swam with confusion.

I worked through lunch. Rebecca brought me a sandwich, which I ignored, and a cup of strong coffee, which I gulped down.

Soon, Rebecca buzzed my line and told me there was someone here to see me.

“Reschedule,” I said.

“But it's your fiancée.”

Felicity. The dark cloud over my head began to lift. “Send her in, please.”

A moment later, there was a soft knock at my door.

“Come in,” I said.

Felicity walked in, looking as radiant as ever in a long black skirt that hugged her curves and a white blouse. God, she was beautiful.

“Hi,” she said. Her face was tense, but she gave me a tentative smile.

“Hi.” I stood up and walked around my desk, gesturing toward the leather sofa near the window. She sat down, looking uncertain. I eased into the armchair at her side.

She took a breath and looked up at me.

“I want to apologize for storming out last night,” she said. “And for disappearing without a word before that. I know you were worried about me, and I should have sent a text.”

“I'm the one who needs to apologize,” I said. “I’m sorry for being a dick last night. It wasn't true what I said about you owing your success to me.” I shook my head. “I was just upset and hurt. I guess I was jealous at the thought of you being with someone else.”

She blinked at me. “You were jealous?”

“Yeah. It wasn't just about the custody case and the PI following us. I care about you, Felicity. I don't want you to be with another man. And I don’t want to be with another woman.”

Her eyes lit up. “I don't want to be with another man either, Cooper. And I wasn't.”

I searched her face again. And this time, I knew she was being honest.

She leaned forward to grab my hand. “The truth is, I was feeling overwhelmed last night. I went for a walk to clear my mind, and I lost track of time. I was alone the whole time.”

I squeezed her hand. “I believe you, Felicity. I was an idiot last night for accusing you of that.”

“It's okay. We're both under a lot of stress right now.”

I started to lean in to kiss her, but I stopped. She looked like she wanted to say something else.

Felicity drew a big breath that filled her chest. She opened her mouth to speak.

Then her phone rang in her purse. She frowned as she retrieved it. When she saw the screen, she gave me an apologetic smile.