Page 19 of How To Fake A Fiancé

“Twenty bucks says it is,” she sings as the elevator doors open to Nathan and my floor.

And no doubt she’d win that bet.

Whether Ian is deluded or insane, I can’t be sure. There’s a word to describe him, but my mind is, at this moment, drawing a blank.

I walk into the office and to my cubicle. My sight is immediately on the large flowers held in a transparent vase on my desk.

“Oh, my god,” I gasp.

Large greenery complements colors like orange, red, pink and yellow spilling from the clear vase. I recognize roses, lilies, kale and orchids in each of those colors. I’ve never seen something so beautiful—and something so me.

I inhale the exotic flowers. “Wow, they smell so good.” I feel my heart fluttering.

No. Bad, Kami, bad. This is a manipulation tactic.

I shake my head. Right, he’s trying to get me to go out with him, and if I’m not careful, he’ll succeed. Who says they’re from him anyway?

I scan the flowers for some kind of card or note when I find a white envelope in between a yellow bloom and a purple orchid. I pluck it out and read the message inside.

Just because I know your name now doesn’t mean we can’t have fun!;) Ian

I don’t know what impresses me the most: the flowers or the size of his balls.

They’re just flowers.

That may be true, but it’s the reasoning behind these flowers that I can’t just let go.

I’m sitting at my desk contemplating that theory, every now and then admiring the flowers, when I see a new email pop onto my computer screen. It’s from Kiera.

Who are the flowers from? Send pics!

Knowing her as the hopeless romantic she is, she’s already envisioned me married off to Ian and having his babies.

I reply back to her, saying they’re from Ian, and tag a picture of the flowers and notecard.

A few minutes later, I see her next response.

Wow those are gorgeous! Maybe you should hear him out?

Hear him out? Ian, like all the others, is nothing more than a been there and done that. Life is about living to the fullest. To have another round with Ian would be like history repeating itself. What’s the point of watching it all unfold when I already know how it’s going to play out?

Chapter Four

Saturday, October 29

Jonathan and Kiera’s house

Dallas, TX

Ian

When I drive into the gated community, I’m in awe of the houses around me. From extremely lavish to simply elegant, each house I see is more jaw-dropping than the last.

Soon after driving past the first couple of streets, the GPS in my car prompts me to turn left, and the destination would be on my right. After doing so, I park my car at the curb.

I knew Jonathan and his soon-to-be bride were looking into houses. But when I heard they bought the house of their dreams within two months of finding it, I was surprised. Clearly, they’re not wasting any time starting their lives together.

This house, with its stucco finish and stacked stone exterior, screams homey but still gives an elegant feel. Gray shutters accent the picture windows. An arch of white stone at the entrance complements iron doors. The walkway to the front door is decorated with small greenery and vibrant flowers on both sides.

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