Home for the Holidays

“I suppose so.” It was more about the company, but whatever.

“I knew it. It sounds a little bit fun but also not real? Wait. How did my brother know who you are?” Her eyebrows furrowed together.

I shrug. “I’m a very rich man. He likely saw me in an article or something. The Duncan last name carries some fame with it.”

“You don’t say.” She looks around the plane. I pull out my phone and text Kelly who’s sitting a few rows back. “What about my parents? We don’t have to put this show on for them, right? I don’t want to lie to them.” That smile drops from her face as she starts to chew on her bottom lip.

“Well, I guess we really are engaged then. That way you won’t be lying. People break up. You already agreed to the deal.”

Her shoulders drop. “I know. Can I ask why you’re doing this?” She starts to wring her fingers together. I want to reach out and put my hand over hers.

“It makes the board at Duncan feel better.” Her mouth forms a perfect O. She’s putting together who I am or at least who I’m connected to. Her being my fiancé will help my standing in the company. That’s the only reason I’m doing this. That’s what I make myself believe anyway.

“You think that people will believe we’re engaged when you’re part of the Duncan family and I’m, you know, regular. Aren't you all like billionaires or something? On the Forbes list and crap!” Her voice goes up a few octaves.

“You’ll be fine,” I tell her. The more I look at her, though, the more I’m not so sure she will be. My mother might eat her alive. I clench my jaw. She’s going to be a bunny surrounded by wolves. My younger brother being the biggest one of them all. The mere thought of him being near her has a sense of rage filling me.

I get an alert from Kelly letting me know she’ll have everything handled by the time we land. She also lets me know I’m out of my mind. I move to sit next to Angel. She noticeably tenses up.

“You can’t tense up when I come near you.” I put my hand on top of hers. “If we’re engaged and all.” She nods her head.

“What else? I might know who you are, but I don’t really know anything about you.”

“I guess we better make the best out of the next few hours then.” By the time I land I’m sure Kelly will know everything there is to know about Angel Meyer.

“Are you sure there isn't someone else? I know I said I would do this, but I’m not a good liar.”

“I’m sure. You should know I was engaged up until today.”

“You move fast.” She lets out a small laugh.

“It was Kelly.” I point back toward her.

“I take it that it was fake too?” I nod. She looks back at Kelly, who is on her laptop already.

“She went and fell in love on me. Leaving me in a lurch.” Angel titles her head, her eyes searching mine.

“Isn't that something to be happy about?” One dimple forms in her left cheek. I swear I have the urge to bring my lips to it. It takes all of my self-control to stop myself.

“I suppose if you believe in those kinds of things.” Her nose scrunches, making her look adorable. I can’t pull my eyes away from her. What is it about her that is so alluring? Why the hell do I have such a strong pull to her?

“So you think love is kind of like Santa Claus.” She gives me a sad smile. “I’m sorry you feel that way. I think my family might do you some good actually.” I have no idea what she means by that.

“Tell me about your family.” I lean back, maneuvering my hand that is on top of hers so that our fingers are now intertwined. “I’m trying to get you used to my touch.” The lie rolls off my tongue, but I know it’s a bunch of bullshit.

I want to hold her hand, but I don’t want to openly admit it. I usually hate it when people are touchy feely. Kelly and I weren't when we went to gatherings together and had to act like a couple. No one even questioned it because everyone thinks I’m an asshole, so they don’t expect that type of behavior from me.

“Oh gosh. I don’t know where to start.” Her pretty blue eyes light up. The opposite of what mine do when I think about talking about my family.

“Start from the beginning, Angel.” To my delight, she does. I find myself hanging on every word that leaves her perfect lips.5Angel“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” A woman’s voice drifts toward me.