Page 27 of Holiday Hoax

Mia’s facesmiles back at me from my phone screen as I stare at the picture she sent me of herself for what feels like the millionth time. I’ve been home for a few days but too busy with work to see her in person. Staring at her photo on the other hand, I’ve found time to do it incessantly.

I’ve memorized her face right down to the one incisor that’s just the slightest bit crooked in her smile. She also has a diamond shaped birthmark on the outside of her left calf. Did I discover that because I spent an hour zoomed in studying everything about her? You couldn’t waterboard that answer out of me.

If I was living in denial before, I’m not anymore. I have feelings for her. If I’m being honest, I probably have since the day we spent together in Italy. But she’s so much younger than me.

Coming up with a plan to fake date her was both the best idea I’ve ever had and the worst. Walking around and wanting her,knowing how good her lips feel against mine is torturous. I can’t help but wonder what other things would feel like. What they’d taste like.

Tonight is the dinner we’re hosting here. She’ll be here in minutes, for the first time since the night I kissed her and sent my heart on a suicide mission. I changed out of my suit from work and opted for a pair of gray trousers and black button down. It’s already getting hot in the penthouse from the chef and servers working in the kitchen, so I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt and decided to forgo a tie.

The slide of the elevator doors sends my heart off a cliff. She crosses the threshold, and I hold my breath as my eyes drink her in. Her smile is wide and shines through her eyes as she locks eyes with me. Marta takes her coat, and then she’s closing the distance between us.

Our bodies fit perfectly together as she wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me. My hands circle her waist, clad in a deep purple dress that drapes gorgeously over her curves. She doesn’t pull away nor do I want her to.

“Does Marta think we’re dating?” she whispers into my ear.

“No. At least I’ve never told her that.” I pull her body closer to mine. “Why?”

“She said something the other day, and I wondered if you had told her.”

“What’d she say?”

“Nothing.” She steps out of my arms. “It’s so good to see you, Ian. Are you ready for tonight?”

“Absolutely. The question is, are you ready?”

She smiles, breathtakingly. “I am. Let’s do this.”

The first guests arrive, and I tuck Mia against my side as I introduce her. A few of the board members pull me aside to ask about my trip to Asia. Mia excuses herself graciously with a squeeze of my hand and wanders over to talk to the wives.

It’s normally not a problem for me to stay focused when I’m talking business, especially not with a dinner as high stakes as tonight. But every time I hear the lilt of her laughter from across the room, my eyes are drawn to her. Just like a magnet I’m drawn to her, powerless against the pull.

I watch as the chef approaches her and speaks quietly in her ear. Mia nods slowly and then replies with a smile. As he walks away she turns my way and mouths that dinner is ready.

I motion her over to my side, slipping my arm around her waist once more. “Dinner is ready, if everyone wants to take a seat at the dining table.”

I take my position at the head of the table with Mia seated to my right. Matthew, the chairman of the board, sits at the opposite end, his wife at his side. A few of the board members have been known to get into spirited debates at functions, so I’ve separated the couples that don’t mix. As long as we can get through the next two hours without conflict, I’ll consider it a success.

“So, Mia, how exactly did you two meet?” Elaine, Matthew’s wife, asks halfway through dinner.

Mia smiles and dabs at her lips with her napkin. “We’re family acquaintances. We’d occasionally run into each other over the years.”

“But it wasn’t until I was at an opening at her gallery that we began dating,” I add as I put my hand over hers. “I saw her from across the room and couldn’t take my eyes off her.”

Everyone chuckles at something Matthew says, but my eyes are locked on Mia’s as she gazes back at me. Her eyes bounce back and forth between mine, as if she’s trying to figure out if it’s just part of the act. I hope she can sense the sincerity in my words.

Hope swells in my chest when a smile splits her lips. She flips her hand over and links our fingers on the top of the table. Inperhaps my boldest move yet, I lift our joined hands and press a kiss to her knuckles, my eyes never leaving hers.

“Hold on to that romance as long as you can,” Elaine says. “Soon you’ll be picking up his wet towels from the floor wondering where the man you fell in love with went.”

“I’m right here, darling, and you haven’t picked up a towel in decades.” Matthew lifts his eyebrows at her.

They spar back and forth with the ease of familiarity and genuine affection. It is something I do admire about the company my family has built. There haven’t been any scandals, no corruption, just decent people who are good at making sound business decisions. It’s one of the things that sets Jameson Industries apart from all the competition.

Mia’s knee brushes against mine under the table, making me feel like a teenager on my first date again. Now that I’ve acknowledged my very real attraction to her, I can’t ignore the fire she ignites within me. She stands to show a few of those interested the art she helped me choose for the penthouse.

I trail the group, lingering a few feet away to observe her as she describes the art. The way she speaks with such confidence in her knowledge of the art and the pieces is awe inspiring. She’s a damn good saleswoman. Pride swells in my chest as she gives her cards to a couple of the women who inquire about stopping by the gallery soon. Watching her work the room proves how good she is at her job. She doesn’t need anything from me beyond opening the door to a world of potential clients with deep pockets.

As everyone filters out following dessert, she stands at my side, schmoozing like she was born for it. I get a couple nods of approval from board members on their way out. After the chef and servers leave, I grab two wine glasses and fill them both with the remainder of the wine left on the counter.

---