Mister Fake Fiance

“So, what about you?” I ask. “I want to be prepared too.”

David nods. “I don’t have favorite flower, but I like red. Bright, beautiful and passionate.”

My reply just slips out: “Much like you.”

“You think so?” His smile is entirely too happy.

Too late to take the words back. Might as well compliment him all the way. “Yeah. You throw yourself into everything you do. I think that’s admirable. Besides, you’re always so patient.”

He laughs. “Me? Patient? I can’t wait to see Mom’s face when you tell her that.”

“But you are.” I’m not going to hide what I think about him, no matter who I’m talking to. “You never lost your temper with me when I first started working for you. I was a terrible assistant.”

“You weren’t terrible. You were just new and inexperienced. It was obvious you weren’t happy when you made a mistake, and it didn’t make sense for me to yell at you and make you feel even worse. I wanted to inspire and…help you strive and achieve more.”

His eyes are locked on mine, and I’m mesmerized by the earnestness in his gorgeous gray gaze. My heart skips a beat, and then my pulse picks up as if he just made a declaration of undying love. Except my head knows he’s just referring to my professional development.

“Thank you.” My voice is so calm that I actually surprise myself. “So… What else are we supposed to talk about?”

David considers. “How about…hobbies?”

That one’s easy. “Baking.”

His face freezes. I’m getting a feeling he’s trying not to react to what I said. Maybe he thought I had some other hobby.

“How about you?”

“Sailing, not that I get to do much anymore. I also like to go to concerts when I have the time.”

I didn’t know he liked to attend concerts. It’s rarely on his agenda. But then, he’s always so busy.

The rest of the get-to-know-you information exchange is benign and easy. No more heart fluttering. No more revealing too much. The wine helps. I also enjoy the food. David’s right about the portions being small. But sheer variety makes the meal interesting, and I’m getting comfortably full.

“Okay, Sophia’s going to ask this because she always does. But where do you see yourself in…let’s say twenty years?” David asks.

I pause in the middle of spooning up some chocolate mousse. “Um…” I think, looking for the right words. “Somewhere warm. Happy and content.” Hopefully still fully functional without having random emotional outbursts or being a burden on anyone. I force a smile. “You?”

His expression grows serious, then he reaches over and touches the ruby ring. “With someone I love. Making her happy.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

David

Wistful longing fills Erin’s soft blue eyes. She looks away, then at the ring on her finger.

She thinks she’s being cautious while faking a carefree attitude, but her answers are making my heart hurt. As much as I despise fucking Fordham, I’m grateful he visited and shot his mouth off. Otherwise I wouldn’t have understood the significance of what Erin’s revealing tonight.

It shattered me when she told me why she likes hyacinths. I’ve never dated a woman who didn’t dream of being special. Unique. Erin just wants to be like everyone else. I want to hold her in my arms, kiss the crown of her head and whisper to her that she’s deserving, wonderful and lovely.

It’s so damn hard to pretend that I don’t know her painful past. What wouldn’t I do to go back in time so I could kick the ass of everyone who hurt her? At the same time, I don’t dare bring it up first. I don’t want Erin to think I pity her. Unless I misunderstood Fordham, she’s been the subject of pity for much of her life.

So I paste on a smile. “It’s ridiculously sentimental. But that should be why I proposed.”

She nods. “Of course. I think that should do it. Besides, I’m glad we got to have this time. Now, we won’t be stumped when we’re at your grandmother’s birthday party, either.”

“That too.” And I’m more determined than ever to have everyone in my family get to know her and shower her with the affection and love she obviously hasn’t had.

When the meal ends, we go home in separate cars. I decide this sucks, but Erin can’t leave hers behind, since we’re not carpooling despite the fact that we live and work together. The drive isn’t terribly long, but the air in the car feels chillier and emptier without her.