Mister Fake Fiance

I laugh, amused and touched at the offer of unconditional support. “David’s fine.”

“Hear that? I’m fine,” David says. “Where are the old guys? I know they got here early.”

“Engaged in a battle royale for the grill, as usual. They arrived an hour ago. I don’t get it,” Trent says.

“Old guys?” I ask.

“Our uncles. They’re supposed to be mature, but…”

“You won’t get it until you’re older and like to play with fire,” Mrs. Darling says, coming out of the kitchen. “Love your dress, Erin. Quite cheery. Would you like some wine? A little snack?”

“No, thank you.” My belly’s too knotted with nerves.

“Smart move. If you say yes, she’ll turn you into a whale. Or try, anyway,” comes a voice from the kitchen.

A very pregnant redhead waddles toward us. Jan. She was David’s assistant before me, and when she transitioned to the app dev team in the headquarters, the position opened up for me to grab. I spent a few days with her to learn the basics.

Her husband Matt walks beside her, like a man ready to catch a priceless Ming vase should it fall. He doesn’t relax until Jan and he settle on a couch.

“He’s been like this ever since I tripped and almost fell at home,” Jan whines.

“It’s his job to fret,” Mrs. Darling points out.

“Exactly,” David says, fist-bumping with his friend. “A man needs to safeguard his woman.”

“Sorry I sat down without a welcome hug. But I don’t know if I can get up again,” Jan says.

I don’t blame her. Her ankles are swollen, and she looks uncomfortable, even in a loose empire-waist dress. I go over and hug her. “There.”

“You’re such a sweetie,” she says, while Matt massages the back of her neck. “I just can’t believe I have almost three more months to go.”

“I’ll be with you every second,” Matt says soothingly.

She squeezes his hand. “You’re the best.”

The love between them is potent—and intimate. Longing pulses through me, and I blink as tears suddenly well up. I’m being overly sentimental. Must be the family. I’m simply not used to this. Even when Mom was alive, it was just the three of us—her, me and occasionally Dad. When she was gone, it was just me. Dad’s always been too busy being a mayor, and he didn’t have the time or energy to spare on a teenage girl, even if she was his own child.

“You okay?” David whispers.

“I’m fine.” I give him a pat smile, hoping he buys it. “Just a little overwhelmed.”

The door opens, and more people come in. Grateful for the distraction, I turn around and recognize the arrivals—David’s cousins, Cora and Alec. They’re siblings, both stunning with inky black hair, amber eyes and the best bone structure I’ve ever seen outside of fashion magazines.

Cora hugs me, while Alec shakes hands.

“I’m so happy to reconnect.” Cora lowers her voice so only I can hear her. “A guy going out after midnight to pick up tampons for you? That’s true love.”

“Oh my God. How on earth do you know about that?”

“He called and asked me what to pick out.”

There’s no way he listened to her based on what he brought. “What did you tell him?”

“Unscented. Standard only, since he didn’t know exactly what you wanted.”

I giggle. “Well, he did get me unscented, thank God, but he ended up getting me one of pretty much everything.”

Cora laughs. “That’s so David. Always thorough.”