On Saturday morning, I woke up at seven, even though Dominic wasn’t picking me up until nine. I was on pins and needles. I’d finished packing my bag last night, but now I was having second thoughts. Did I choose the right outfits? Was it too much? Was it too little?
Why was I overthinking this? I’d attended a lot of charity events over the years; I had nothing to worry about. But honestly, the thought of seeing Malcolm again made my stomach churn.
And then there was Dom. I couldn’t believe he’d offered to continue the ruse.
Not that I minded.
I’d already figured out our story. I just had to check if Dominic was okay with it. Just thinking about him made my mouth go dry. He was definitely the most handsome man I’d ever seen. No wonder women were clamoring to get his attention.
Since I woke up so early, I put the time to good use. Instead of staying home and fretting, I decided to go by Liz’s bakery. I could double-check if she wanted to get into catering charity events and also treat myself to something delicious. I grabbed my bag, then texted Dom as I got in my Uber.
Reese: Change of plans. Please don’t pick me up from home anymore. This is the new address. It’s a bakery.
He replied a few minutes into my car ride.
Dom: Sure. See you later, Reese.
I arrived at Liz’s place ten minutes later.
‘Hey, girl,’ I greeted. She was behind the counter as usual. Even though she’d hired a team, she enjoyed waiting on customers. My cousin Declan always grumbled about the long hours she put in at the bakery.
‘Reese, why didn’t you tell me you were stopping by? I would have made a batch of your favorites.’
I pouted. ‘You already ran out?’
She nodded sadly. ‘The brownies are popular.’
‘Doesn’t matter. I’ll have anything. And a coffee, please.’ She’d gotten an Italian espresso machine six months ago, and it was the best coffee in town.
‘Where are you heading?’ She pointed to my bag. ‘Oh wait, I think Declan told me you have that charity weekend.’
‘Exactly. Listen, I got an idea. Having a table with sweets is very popular at charity dinners. Is catering events like that something you’re interested in?’
Her eyes lit up. ‘Yes. We certainly have the baking capacity.’
I narrowed my eyes. ‘Do you also have personnel capacity? Because the last thing I want is for Declan to accuse me of giving you even more reason to overwork yourself.’
‘I’ll manage,’ Liz said.
‘Okay, then I can give your contact information to some of the organizers I trust.”
She grinned. ‘Thanks for thinking about me, Reese. So, would you like some hazelnut cake? If people give me good feedback, I might even try to make brownies with the flavor.’
‘Ohh, sounds delicious.’
She put a slice of cake on a plate, then grabbed an espresso cup. I stepped to one side, waiting for the coffee machine to do its thing. The bakery was far too small. I devoured the cake immediately.
“This is truly fantastic.”
“Want another slice?”
“Oh, no. One is enough.”
‘Are you driving there?’ she asked.
‘No, another participant is picking me up,’ I said while devouring the cake.
‘Declan didn’t mention that.”
I flashed her a huge I’m-not-hiding-anything smile. ‘It was a last-minute thing. Not really something to bother the family with.’
Liz frowned. ‘Bother?’
Why did I think I could pull off my fake dating? This was exactly why I needed to get all the details of our story right; otherwise, everyone was going to see right through this.
‘I’ll just wait for him outside.’
Big mistake. Liz’s eyes widened when I said the word him.
‘Right,’ she drew out. ‘Want me to prepare another coffee for him?’
‘Great idea. Thanks,’ I said. ‘And please don’t mention any of this to the family.”
She glanced around, leaning over the counter as she handed me the first coffee. It was futile because the place was too small to have a secret conversation.
‘You’re dating someone?’
‘No,’ I said. ‘It’s complicated. Just please don’t mention it to the family.’
‘No one? Not even Kimberly?”
My sister would hand me my ass if she knew what I was up to—especially because I didn’t tell her.
‘No.’
‘Are you in trouble?’
‘No, Liz.’ Now she was worrying for me, and I didn’t want her to do that. On the other hand, I was grateful that my cousins were so lucky in the romance department. They’d chosen wonderful women, and that made my heart happy.
‘I’ll fill you in once I’m back, okay?’ I promised.
‘Sure. Can’t wait. Here’s your second coffee.’
‘Thanks! Now, take care of your customers. Wouldn’t want any complaints that you’re making them wait.’
She sent me an air kiss before I stepped out of the bakery with my tiny carry-on, thankful that I’d mastered the art of packing outfits and shoes in small bags over the years. Liz had put the coffee cups in a cardboard tray so I could hold it in my left hand and drag the carry-on with my right one.
Once outside, I let go of the bag and took out my phone, checking if Dom had texted me. He had indeed.
Dom: I’m driving a Range Rover.
Reese: Okay.
I fidgeted in my spot. My stomach somersaulted, and I knew myself better than to think it was just nerves. I was looking forward to seeing him.
My heart started racing when the Range Rover turned around the corner. He stopped the car right in front of me and got out.
I shook my head. ‘Don’t get out. You’re not allowed to stop here.’
‘ I won’t let you load your luggage by yourself.’
‘It’s small and easy.’
He just shook his head and took my bag in one hand, opening the trunk with the other one.
He was even hotter today, wearing a shirt and jeans. Casual clothing looked good on him. He’d seemed uncomfortable in that tux. Sexy, but uncomfortable.
‘Thanks for picking me up from here,’ I said.
He opened the car door for me. ‘No problem.’
As he closed it, I noticed Liz’s face in the window of the bakery. She was grinning. Oh, God. Would she keep this a secret? I hoped so.
As soon as Dom got inside, he started the engine, and the car lurched forward.
‘And by the way, I got you a coffee,’ I said, putting the espresso in the cupholder between the seats.
‘Thanks, I need one. I’ve only had two today.’
I looked at him closely. His eyes were a bit unfocused and swollen with sleep. He had a five-o’clock shadow, which meant he hadn’t shaved. Somehow that increased his sex appeal tenfold.
‘Not a morning person?’
He shook his head. ‘Not at all.’
‘Right,’ I said, opening the Notes app on my phone. ‘I’ve made a list of things we should talk about. Do you want us to start right away?’
He burst out laughing. ‘Let me have a few sips first. Otherwise, only half my neurons will cooperate.”
‘We wouldn’t want that,’ I murmured.
He took a sip and then grinned sideways at me. I was fiddling with my fingers. ‘You’re nervous?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then let’s start. What do you have on that list?’
‘First things first. When and where did we meet, and did we know right away or not?’
‘I have a feeling you already have some answers.’
I cleared my throat. ‘I did prep something, but I think it should be a collaborative effort so it’s realistic for both of us. Made-up scenarios always work better when they’re anchored in truth.’
‘You often deal with made-up scenarios?’
‘No, but you know what I mean. Let’s start with a very simple one. How long have we known each other?’
‘I signed my divorce papers two months ago, so it can’t be longer than that.’
I felt a pang deep in my chest. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was that recent.’
‘The breakup wasn’t, but the divorce stretched on and on. I sometimes thought it would never end.’
‘All right, so let’s say we met three weeks ago. That would mean we knew each other well enough to attend a charity event, but not too well.’ I was fumbling my words. Why was I so nervous? ‘Or maybe we should make it six weeks? And then we can say we started dating three weeks ago.’
‘Let’s go with three overall. We met and immediately started dating. Do you actually anticipate anyone asking us this?’
‘Malcolm might,’ I said quietly. ‘So, three weeks it is. And where?’
He nodded, narrowing his eyes. He’d been right about the coffee; he actually did seem more awake, and he’d only had two sips.
‘The gym?’ he suggested.
‘I don’t think anyone would believe that, and especially not Malcolm. I work out at the hotel in the morning before anyone else starts their day,’ I explained. ‘And the gym isn’t open to anyone else except guests at the hotel. Before we opened the hotel, I worked out at home. He knows that.’
‘Okay, the gym’s out.’
Now that the subject had come up, it was obvious he had to spend a lot of time at the gym.
‘You like shopping?’ he asked.
‘Hell yes.’
‘Then it’s easy. We met in my shop.’
‘That’s smart. See? That’s why I figured it would be better as a collaborative effort. We’ve got this,’ I exclaimed. ‘You often go to your shop?’
‘Daily. Mostly in the evening to check if there’s anything out of the ordinary.’
‘That’s very committed.’
‘I always ask the sales associates for any feedback they’ve got for me.’
‘But you have stores all over the world.’
‘I know. I get written feedback from the other places too. But I like to go to this one personally, since it’s local.’
‘All right, then that’s our story. I came in to try one of those gorgeous dresses.’
He looked sideways at me. ‘Have you ever shopped in our store?’
‘You’re kidding, right? It’s one of my favorites. We can say that I came looking for a dress that had a velvet corsage with organza sleeves and skirt. I love that combo. By the way, you have an excellent talent for picking out designers.’
‘Thanks. They’re the most important part of the company. I can run it, but I can’t create anything.’
I liked that he owned up to that. A lot of CEOs thought people around them were disposable and replaceable.
‘All right, so I came in the store. What next?’ I held my breath. Why is this so exciting?
‘I was talking to my sales associate, asking for feedback. You came in right at closing and said you desperately wanted a dress for the next event. And I was so smitten with you that I decided to keep the store open for a while longer.’
‘Smitten at first sight? I like it,’ I said. My heart was beating faster.
It’s not real, Reese.
‘But wait… remember, we said we’d try to keep it realistic? During our first meeting, I poured champagne all over you, and you thought I was hitting on you.’ I snorted at the memory.
He chuckled. ‘Now that I think of it, ‘smitten at first sight’ doesn’t sound like me. How about this: you came in, and I thought you came on purpose to try and pick me up. I got annoyed. Then you clarified that you just wanted a dress.’
I considered this. ‘It sounds realistic. But I also like the smitten-at-first-sight version. I’ve always thought there’s something dreamy about the idea of love hitting you out of nowhere. Or at least lust. Feeling that spark before you even know the person.’
He laughed without humor. ‘That’s a recipe for disaster because you only judge a book by its cover.’
‘I know, but I still like the idea of it. Soulmates and all that.’
He turned to look at me and seemed confused. ‘You believe in…soulmates?’
‘Yes,’ I said.
‘Your fiancé cheated on you with your best friend.’
I winced.
‘Fuck. Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘No, you shouldn’t,’ I murmured. ‘I get what you’re saying, though. I should probably forget about romance. Reality is cruel.’ I frowned. ‘But maybe that’s why I believe good things do exist.’
‘Right. So we have our meeting set in stone. I honestly don’t think anyone’s going to ask details about how many times we’ve been on dates and stuff like that.’
‘They might. We should probably know things about each other, just so we’re not blindsided.’
‘All right. You go first.’
‘I grew up in Chicago. I went to college here.’
‘Did you ever work in the chain of bookstores?’ he asked.
‘No. That was sold before I was old enough to work. I was in finance for a long time, and then my ex and I wanted to open a spa in the building where my grandmother still runs The Happy Place.’
‘What’s that?’
‘It’s the first bookstore she and my granddad ever opened.’
He nodded. ‘Right. I’m assuming the spa didn’t work out?’
‘No, not at all. After I broke off our engagement, the whole project fell apart. I did wind up working at The Happy Place for a while at that point. Then Travis, my cousin, bought the buildings adjacent to Gran’s and opened The Maxwell Hotel. I’m the CFO.”
I hesitated, unsure how much more of my past to unload, but knowing Malcolm, he’d bring it up.
“Malcolm didn’t take it well at all that the business fell apart. He’d been working for an investment fund, and the fund would have invested in the spa. But after I backed out of the agreement, they fired Malcolm.”
‘Serves him right,’ he sneered.
‘He tried to sue my family for it repeatedly.’ I swallowed hard. ‘And last year he decided to blackmail me. Said he’d give a little interview about why our relationship ended if I didn’t get him his old job back.’
Dom turned to face me again.
‘Hey, eyes on the road.’
‘Continue. I’m shocked.’
‘Yep, so was I.’
‘Please tell me he didn’t get away with it.’
I shook my head. ‘He didn’t. I gave the interview instead. That way, no publication would be interested in his side of the story. He’d get no money for it.’
‘Sounds like a nightmare.’
‘It was. The press didn’t stop hounding me after that. They’ve lost interest lately, thank God. Anyway, that’s enough about me. Actually, wait… I mean, you probably know about the family, right?’
‘Just bits and hearsay.’
‘Well, there are eight of us.’
‘Eight?’
‘I have a sister, Kimberly, and six cousins.’ And also a baby half sister in London, but I didn’t want to get into that right now…
‘And you all work together at Maxwell Hotels?’
‘No, no. My cousin Tate runs Maxwell Wineries. Declan is a lawyer. Luke owns Skye Designs.”
“Tyler Maxwell plays hockey,’ he said as if he’d just remembered that tidbit of information.
‘Exactly. Sam is a doctor. Travis is the one with the hotel. Kimberly and I work with him.’
‘Got it.’
‘We’re all very close. Malcolm knows that. By the way, in case it comes up, you’ve already met my family. That will kill him. I waited a long time before introducing him to them.”
Dom said nothing for a few seconds, then asked, ‘Are you trying to make him jealous or just get him off your back?’
‘I don’t know. I just want to annoy him right now. It feels good.’
‘Fair enough.’
‘What about you?’
‘I studied at Harvard and lived in Boston for a few years before moving here and starting Waldorf Fashion.’
‘You grew the company exponentially in just a few years. I think that’s fabulous.’
‘All I did was use the knowledge I acquired from business school.’
Humble! Yet another thing I wouldn’t have pegged him for.
‘I married one year ago,’ he continued. ‘Worst mistake of my life.’
‘Can I ask what happened?’
‘I don’t think that’s going to come up.’
‘Fair enough.’ The wound was obviously still fresh. And even though I’d felt an instant kinship with him, I remembered those early days after Malcolm’s betrayal. I walked around feeling physically in pain, so I understood Dominic’s reluctance.
‘Anyway, I think we’ve covered the basics,’ I said.
He looked at me briefly before focusing on the road again. I noted a glint in his eyes.
‘Not yet. We should clarify what attracted us to each other.’
“You think that might come up?”
“You never know. So…you go first.”
‘Other than your great looks?’ I laughed. ‘Let’s see… your voice. It’s deep and rich and sounds sexy even when you’re a total grump.’
He stiffened, his eyes wide. Clearly he hadn’t expected me to run my mouth like that. I wasn’t even sorry.
‘Your turn.’
He didn’t hesitate. ‘You’re hot as hell. You have a great sense of humor and an enormous capacity for caring.’
I stilled. ‘How do you even know that?’
‘Because even though you have to face that moron, you’re going to this stupid charity weekend because you want to raise money.’
I licked my lips. ‘It’s not the poor children’s fault that my life is so complicated. Oh, I was also very attracted by your tattoo.’
‘What tattoo?’
I tapped my temple. ‘The one I’m imagining here.’
He smirked. ‘You spend a lot of time thinking about my body, Reese?’
I swallowed hard, deciding to ignore the question. ‘In my mind, it’s in a super-private spot. That way, no one will be able to check my story.’
‘What spot?’ he asked.
I blushed. ‘Never mind.’
‘I’m sure you thought about it in great detail. You’re very thorough.”
I looked out the window, feeling like I was about to spontaneously combust. ‘On your left ass cheek.’
He burst out laughing, the sound filling the car. I glanced at him and started laughing too.
He took one hand from the wheel. Before I realized what he was doing, he undid the button of one of his sleeves, rolling it up before switching hands and unbuttoning the other, then pushing it out of the way. I gasped when he revealed inked forearms.
‘I wasn’t expecting that.’
He grinned. ‘It’s one of the reasons I always wear long sleeves in meetings.’
‘You shouldn’t hide that ink. It’s beautiful.’
‘Glad you think so. Anyway, you were right with that guess.’
‘Which one?’ I asked.
‘A tattoo in a private place.’
My jaw dropped, and I swallowed hard. Holy shit. Where else does he have tattoos? I had a sudden urge to map his body—and not just with my gaze. I wanted to touch and kiss and lick.
My imagination going wild, I licked my lips. ‘So where is it?’
‘Why do you want to know?’
‘You’re right. I don’t have to know that. Pretty sure it won’t come up.’
‘It’s in a very private spot, but I’ll give you a hint. It’s not the left ass cheek.’
I had never blushed so much in my life. I looked away again, but the air between us was charged.
I immediately changed the topic. We made small talk for the rest of the drive and arrived an hour later.
‘Welcome,’ the receptionist greeted us when we entered the venue.
‘We’re here for the charity event,’ Dom replied.
She took out two papers and pens. ‘Just put in your names and signatures. We don’t need the rest.’
Dom nodded. ‘Fair enough.’
The receptionist smiled and then disappeared into the back.
‘We probably should have booked one room,’ Dom said.
‘What? Oh, I never thought about that.’ I bit my lip. ‘We can say we signed up for this before we got together.”
‘That sounds good.’ He wiggled his eyebrows, leaning in. ‘Or I can say I snore so much that we need separate rooms.’
I thought I couldn’t blush more than I had in the car. Turned out I was wrong.
