Page 36 of Fake Fiancée for the Grump

"It is great to meet you, Brinn," the man says. “We’ve known Jackson since he was a little boy. He’s always been so special. We’re so happy to hear he’s met someone special as well.”

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Oh please, call me Steven. Sir makes me feel old." He breaks into a hearty laugh, his belly jingling.

I smile.

Mr. Reed cuts in. “We were just about to tell our friends here how we’re anxious to host an engagement party for you and Jackson. Isn’t that right, Amanda?” She nods excitedly.

Another party. These celebrations never end with this family.

“What do you think about that?”

My lips part. Every part of my brain threatens to shut down. This is bad. Very bad. How could we possibly say no? It would jeopardize everything. I breathe out slowly, hoping to calm my nerves that threaten to explode.

"Really," I say, my voice cracking, "that is lovely."

Jackson looks at me, eyebrows raised. He’s clearly shocked I agreed, but what else could I do? He wraps his arm around my waist. “Absolutely. It sounds amazing, thank you.”

He leans down to kiss my cheek then whispers in my ear, “What in the world are you doing?”

I grit my teeth. “I have absolutely no idea.”

Mr. Reed lets out a huge sigh of relief, looking directly at Jackson. “Thank goodness. I was so nervous. I told your mother she shouldn’t post the party online without talking to you first, but she wouldn’t listen, would you darling?” He playfully tickles her.

These two are the cutest couple I’ve ever seen.

The moment is over in an instant. “You did what?” Jackson replies incredulously.

"Well, we were just so excited.” His mother bounces up and down like a teenager. “We announced it on Shieldify’s social media page this morning. We thought we’d surprise you. It’s been liked thousands of times already. Isn’t that great? It’s going to be huge!” She wraps Jackson in one of her famous bear hugs.

I watch his body go stiff, but when he pulls away, there’s a huge smile plastered on his face.

Good recovery.

His parents take drinks from a nearby tray, handing one to each of us, along with their friends. After thanking the waiter, they turn to each other, clinking their glasses. “To Jackson and Brinn!”

“To Jackson and Brinn!” the couple echoes.

Heads whip our way again at the outburst. I get caught up in the moment. After turning to toast with Jackson, I grab the back of his neck with one hand, closing the distance between us in an instant and plant a quick but bold kiss on his lips. He lets out an audible, “umph,” clearly surprised by my actions.

Realizing I’ve made a mistake, I pull back from him. His eyes are wide in disbelief. I’m sure mine look the same. But then, a sly grin begins forming on his lips. He leans in closer. “Couldn’t resist, could you?” My cheeks flush.

He’s never going to let me forget that.

"All right everyone!" Trevor walks to the middle of the deck with his pregnant wife. She looks radiant. Her long blonde hair is pinned back on the sides, flowers arranged in a delicate row atop her head. Her dress is long and flowing in beautiful pastel shades. She beams as she looks at Trevor.

How does a man like him capture the heart of a woman like that?

"Sheila and I are so thankful you made time out of your busy schedules to celebrate with us.”

He looks at his wife. "We have a little surprise. We were planning to wait, but we thought a gender reveal would add some more excitement to the day.”

One of the waiters brings out a beautifully wrapped box, concealing the mystery inside. The guests scurry to gather around the couple, eager to see the contents. Holding hands, Trevor and Sheila pull apart the bow that’s holding the box closed.

Slowly, the lid lifts, and blue balloons fill the sky. “It’s a boy!” Trevor yells, fists pumping in the air. I smile at Jackson, and he smiles back. You can’t not be happy for someone who’s having a child, even Trevor.

But Trevor’s eyes quickly find Jackson’s, narrowing as he holds his gaze. He walks slowly toward us. Jackson offers his hand. “Congratulations.”

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