His eyes widened. "You're laying that at my feet? I wasn't the one photographed with my skirt up around my ears."

"It wasn't that high. And we were behind closed doors. It's not our fault if no one knows how to knock these days. The point is," she rushed on, "that getting this law firm off the ground is important to Easton. And it's important to Hannah, too. And I've seen the way you look at her. This won't exactly be torture for you."

"I'd have to be dead not to look at her, but she's not my type." That was a total lie. But it was close enough, since he was damn sure that he wasn't her type. "And on top of that, I seriously doubt that I'm the guy who's going to make her parents leap for joy."

"You're a man. Trust me. With Hannah's family, that's plenty to make them happy." She looked at him with wide, puppy dog eyes. "Will you do it?"

As far as Matthew was concerned, the whole thing sounded like a recipe for disaster. But instead of saying no, he waffled. "I'll think about it."

Selma's smile bloomed wider than it should for such a vague response, and Matthew was left with the sinking feeling that he hadn't heard the last of this. "Thanks, big brother. I can't ask for more than that."

Chapter Four

"I got it!" Elena Anderson practically sprinted across The Fix toward the table where Hannah and Selma were sharing a Friday evening pitcher of The Fix's amazing Pinot Punch and chowing down on Pimento Cheese Poppers. "You are looking at the newest employee of the Austin Center for Downtown Conservation and Revitalization."

The daughter of The Fix's owner, Tyree, Elena had short hair, beautifully sculpted cheekbones, and skin as dark as her father's. At the moment, she also had the widest smile that Hannah had ever seen.

Hannah didn't know Elena well, but even so, she jumped up and followed Selma's lead in giving the other woman a quick hug and heartfelt congratulations.

"Thanks so much," Elena said when they were seated again. She filled one of the empty glasses with punch and raised it. "To the start of my fabulous career," she said, and they all clinked glasses.

"Elena wants to go into urban planning--she's starting a graduate program in the fall," Selma explained.

"I'm hoping to specialize in the planning of growing communities, especially towns with a lot of history--like Georgetown," Elena said, referring to a small town about thirty miles north of Austin. "Regulating and planning growth while maintaining the character of towns with an historic Main Street or a square. That's what really interests me. And that's what the ACDCR is all about."

"That sounds really fascinating," Hannah said.

"Ultimately, I want to work for a statewide or national consulting firm, but this is a great beginning, and considering all the talk about historic preservation along Sixth Street, it's going to be terrific experience."

Selma reached over and grabbed Elena's hand. "I'm so excited for you."

"Yeah, well I owe you big time, you know."

"Really?" Hannah asked. "Why?"

Selma lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. "I didn't do anything but say that Elena's awesome."

"Yeah, well Ms. Gonzales really likes you. She talked about what an excellent job you did restoring the building that houses the distillery, and how much she appreciates it when you donate stock to benefits, and on and on and on."

"Like I said, all I did was sing your praises."

"Well, I appreciate it," Elena added. "Of course, I think she's also impressed that my dad owns this building. It has quite a history, too, you know. But at the end of the day, I'm giving you credit for helping me land the job. And in your honor, I'll buy the next round."

"In that case, I will happily accept the credit," Selma said, then turned to Hannah. "See? I got her a job and you a fiance. Honestly, I think I earned major friendship points this week."

"Wait. What?" Hannah leaned forward. "Have I been drinking too much punch or did you say that you found me a man."

Selma sat back, buffing her nails against her chest. "Am I good, or what?"

"You're amazing. But who?"

"Matthew, of course."

"Seriously?" Elena's eyes were wide. "He agreed to pretend to be engaged to Hannah?"

"She told you about that?" Hannah asked Elena, who had the grace to look sheepish. "I mean, it's okay. It's not a secret. Well, except to my parents."

"I only told Elena that I'd asked him," Selma clarified, frowning at Elena. "And of course he's happy to do it. He's completely down with the whole idea."

Tags: J. Kenner Man of the Month Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net