Page 82 of One Bossy Date
“Anderson, darling, let me introduce you. This is Helen and Charles Henry Humphries.” I shook each of their hands as my mom introduced me. “Anderson Windham, my eldest son, CEO of Windham Construction.”
“Good to meet you,” Charles said, loudly but pleasantly, in a deep baritone. “I apologize for crashing your dinner party like this, but your mother insisted that we join you tonight.”
“Mr. Humphries, I’m glad to have you.”
Both Mr. Humphries and his wife were a similar age to my mom. Charles was tall, a salt-and-pepper-haired gentleman with an air of competence and control. Helen was a pleasant and elegant-looking woman who proudly stood on her husband’s arm. Somehow, they seemed to be the type of couple still in love even after so many years.
My mom gasped. Looking over Charles’s shoulder, I noticed Zoe approaching. Even now, I felt my lungs give way to breathlessness and a sense of pride to have her here hosting with me. She captured the room with her beautiful smile. My mom held her arms open and hugged Zoe before turning to our guests. “Now, this gorgeous lady right here is Anderson’s fiancée, Zoe Jones.”
“Oh, how lovely,” Helen said, reaching out for Zoe’s hand, and Mr. Humphries smiled warmly.
“Can you believe she’s pregnant,” my mom announced excitedly, and my and Zoe’s eyes locked together.
For fuck’s sake, Mom.
I tried my best to appear pleased and proud, despite feeling theexactopposite.
Looked like I’d be Fake-Daddy for a lot longer than I’d hoped I would be.
My mother had just made it impossible for us to admit Zoe wasn’t pregnant, without ruining the evening by embarrassing her in front of everyone.
Goddammit.
That quick glance between Zoe and me was enough for us both to know we had to keep up the ruse.
She gave me a “We’ve got this—it could have gone worse,muchworse” expression.
I gave her an “I suppose” look in return.
Truth was, I wasn’t concerned, just inconvenienced. I was confident Zoe wouldeffortlesslyhelp me keep up with the entire hoax. She felt like a true partner in crime.
Helen pulled Zoe in for a hug.
“Oh, my word! Isn’t that wonderful, Charles?”
“It certainly is,” Charles said. He seemed pleased and shook Zoe’s hand with both of his. “We’ve just had the cutest little addition to our family. It’s truly a blessing, dear.”
Zoe stepped toward me, and I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, facing our guests. “We’re delighted to have you here with us.”
“Please”—Zoe gestured to the room—“grab a drink and make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thanks, darlings,” my mom cheered, and first led her friends past a waiter with champagne, then to sit around the Christmas tree and view the city lights.
Next to me, Zoe said quietly, “Well, that was a bust.”
“I know.” I dropped my hand to the small of her back, caressing her smooth skin. “It’s like your gran’s party all over again.”
She burst into stifled laughter. “I can’t even have a drink now.”
I chuckled alongside her. “Unless you want dirty looks all night, I guess you’ll just have to endure.” She shook her head with a smile. “I have a feeling there’s going to be more business talk tonight than planned.”
“What makes you say that?”
“The man you were just introduced to, Charles Humphries, is the CEO I was supposed to present to this past week.”
“Oh. No way! Did you know he was coming?”
“No. And I’m going to corner my mother the first chance I get.”