Page 119 of Charming Deception

Interestingly, Graysen’s fiancée, Sonia, isn’t here. Which can only mean he didn’t invite her.

I don’t know if this bodes well for me or not. Either he considers this a family affair and so important it’s siblings only, or he considers it just another of my brief scandals with women and not worthy of wasting his fiancée’s time on.

“This is Megan Hudson.” I introduce the woman at my side immediately, before anyone can speak. Their attention, already, has converged on her. It’s rare that I’ve brought a woman to a family dinner, and that fact really hits me now. “Colton Hudson’s sister.”

They all know who Cole is, of course.

I’m relieved when Savannah gets up to greet her warmly. She offers Megan a drink, showing her over to the bar, while I greet Graysen.

“Happy?” I ask him quietly.

He seems tentatively pleased, yet wary. “I’m not sure yet.”

“Stick around. She’s amazing,” is all I tell him. Then I go to get a drink.

“Are you engaged, Megan?” I hear my sister say as I approach the bar. “That’s an incredible ring.”

So, Graysen didn’t tell them.

“Oh. Thank you.” Megan fiddles with the ring and looks to me, ready to follow my lead as I advised her to.

“Megan and I are engaged,” I announce smoothly, loudly enough so everyone hears it, and all eyes converge on her again. “I’ve asked her to be my wife, and she said yes.” I slip my arm around her waist and pull her against me.

Megan’s eyes widen, but she leans into me. She puts on a pretty smile for my family, and she slips her arm around my waist, too.

There’s a long, shocked silence in which I’m sure Harlan is thinking this is some twisted joke and Damian possibly wonders if I’ve lost my mind since he ate lunch with me, only hours ago. Savannah just blinks at me, waiting for more of an explanation.

It’s Graysen who speaks first. “Well, congratulations, you two. It’s about time one of us got married.”

* * *

Over dinner, my siblings gently press me on my new, seemingly serious relationship.

How did we meet? When did we meet? That kind of thing.

I know, by the way they’re looking at me, that they know this whole engagement thing is bullshit.

But none of them say so.

They’ll say it later, when Megan’s not in the room.

Of course they know. My stance on marriage—that being, I’ll never do it—is well-known by my family members.

Whenever I catch Harlan’s gaze or Damian’s, I can tell they’re searching for cracks in my story, even when I’m not saying anything, just like the media will. The fact that I just got engaged to a woman I met two weeks ago obviously invites criticism.

I don’t give a fuck.

Then Graysen and Savannah pepper Megan with casual questions about her life, her move to Vancouver, her family.

She answers them with ease, and she answers them honestly. She even admits to leaving a bad relationship behind when Savannah asks why she came to Vancouver, though she doesn’t get into details and no one pushes for them.

I appreciate that everyone treats her with respect and doesn’t take out their shock on her. It’s not her fault they didn’t know this was coming.

“How’s Cole doing in the off season?” Graysen asks her, though he could ask me anytime and he never does.

“He’s good, I think. He’s in California for a little while and then he goes to Montana to meet with one of his special trainers. I’m not sure what they do.” Megan laughs softly. “I don’t try to keep up.”

She sips her wine as Graysen says, “He had an exceptional season. We think his best year may still be ahead of him, despite his age.”

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