Page 20 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

That catches my attention and I straighten in my seat, suddenly afraid of what he could say to this. Out of everything we could’ve gotten situated, this is the kind of story that should’ve been agreed on first.

Donny clears his throat and gives me a smile that I feel clear to the tips of my toes. “Well, you know that she works as our manager. She caught my eye the moment I laid eyes on her, and I tried everything to get her to go on a date with me.”

“He was relentless,” I add, deciding I could have fun as he tells the story. “Like a cute little puppy.”

He snaps his attention to me, a frown on his face, but his mother’s laugh from across the table forces him to look back at her. “It was embarrassing, but eventually, she agreed to a date, and, as they say, the rest is history.”

“And how did you propose?”

His mother’s eyes shine as she asks, but I can also see a hint of hurt in them, and I can only assume it’s because Donny didn’t allow her to be part of the moment. My heart aches at the realization, but I turn my attention away before my emotions become more evident and I ruin our charade.

One day. That’s all. We can do this.

“Well, I got all the guys in on the moment and created a little scavenger hunt that took her to each of our favorite places.”

My eyebrows jump at his quick thinking, and I let him continue.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I was a nervous wreck while I waited for her at that final stop, but the moment I saw her emerge from between the trees, I knew it was right. She looked beautiful standing under the twinkling lights, which took forever to put up, and it didn’t take much for me to fall onto one knee.”

His mother gasps and smiles, tears shining in her eyes. “That sounds so beautiful.”

I hate how much I wish that would’ve happened. I’ve always wanted a family of my own, a husband to love and cherish, and I always imagined what the proposal would look like. Donny seems to have taken all of my thoughts and voiced them into reality.

“I was just happy she said yes,” Donny says, lightening the mood just enough.

Without thinking, I place my hand on Donny’s thigh under the table. He tenses beneath my touch, and I nearly pull away. But then his hand covers mine, warm and strong, keeping it in place.

I look up at him, momentarily lost in the intensity of his gaze. “Of course, I said yes,” I manage, my voice softer than intended. “Who wouldn’t?”

“I’m so happy for you both,” his mother gushes. “And I better be involved in the wedding planning.” She narrows her eyes at Donny, whose cheeks flush pink. He nods, squeezing my hand under the table.

The gesture feels too real, too intimate. I should move my hand. I don’t.

“You seem to really enjoy each other’s company. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my son. It also helps that you’re good in the kitchen.” This time, she winks in my direction and I chuckle in response. “Donald has never been the greatest at cooking, so I’m glad he’s got a woman like you to fill him up.”

If only that were true.

Donny’s father and I haven’t spoken much during their visit, so it surprises me when he smiles and says, “You seem like a lovely woman, and I’m glad we got to meet you.”

“Maybe next time we can make the visit last longer and get to know each other better,” I say softly, hoping that will make them feel better.

“I like the way you think,” he responds, then pushes away from the table with a frown. “As much as I hate to do this, we really should be heading to the hotel. We’ve got an early flight set for tomorrow.”

We wave goodbye, Donny's arm around my waist, holding me close. As soon as the door clicks shut, I step away, immediately missing his warmth. The loss is unsettling.

I can't shake the proposal story from my mind – the twinkling lights, the romance of it all. It felt so real. Too real.

We linger in his condo for a moment, the silence between us heavy with unspoken thoughts. Finally, I break the spell.

"I should go," I mumble, not meeting his eyes. I'm afraid of what I might see there. Or what he might see in mine.

Donny nods silently, leading the way to the elevator. As we step inside, the air feels thick with unspoken words. We stand side by side, not touching, as the floors tick by. The soft hum of the descending elevator is the only sound breaking the loaded silence between us.

We exit Donny's building, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth inside. The valet nods, heading off to retrieve my car.

"You were great tonight," Donny says, his voice rough.

Is he as affected as I am?

---