Page 20 of How To Fake A Fiancé

Maybe someday you could have that white picket fence life, too.

A house? Possibly. A wife and kids? There was a long time when I thought that idea had become a pipe dream, especially after Katy left. But with Kami? I’m dreaming about it again.

I get out of my pickup truck and pull a large box of booze with a small gift bag on top. I’m starting to walk up to the entrance when I see Jonathan coming out of the front door in a white and gold tunic with gold sandals. Yep, this is definitely a Halloween party.

“Hey, man,” he greets me.

“Hey! Don’t you look…ethereal.” I nod to him.

He chuckles. “It was all Kiera’s idea. I’m just the mannequin. Need help with that?”

“Nope. All good. My gift to y’all is on top, though, if you want to grab it.”

He grabs the little blue paper bag and looks inside. “Thanks, man. Kiera loves mugs, especially if they’re matching.” He scans my Halloween costume. “And who are you supposed to be?”

For over the past month, I’ve been buried in work. From hiring and rehiring management, to opening and closing the bar, I haven’t found much time outside of work to do much of anything.

During that time, I’ve made sure Kami knows she’s still on my mind by sending her gifts. Thank god to Kiera for being an ally, and giving me Kami’s address.

I gave her a bouquet of flowers I thought she’d appreciate, a Swarovski Crystal bracelet of thePhantom of the Operamask, along with a DVD copy of the Broadway show at the Royal Albert Hall, and a perfume that smells like jasmine. The same scent I kept smelling the night we were together. The scent that’s still driving me crazy.

I’m not surprised she hasn’t contacted me about my gifts. No doubt she’s been trying to avoid me since the engagement party. But I remain optimistic because she hasn’t returned any of the presents. I may be putting her on notice, but how else do I get her attention? What else can I do to get her to talk to me?

Walking into a Halloween store a few hours earlier, I grabbed the first decent costume that I saw. I don’t care what I look like as long as it’s from the men’s department, in my size, and has more fabric than an Adam and Eve costume combined.

“Uh, pirate…I think.”

I’m wearing a white, flowing, transparent shirt and brown vest with dark blue pants, and brown, knee-length boots. A cheap-looking pirate hat is on the top of my head. Better than nothing, right?

“Come on in, Ian,” Kiera greets me, holding the door open as I enter the house. She wears a costume similar to Jonathan’s, only she wears her hair in waves and with a gold headband.

“Thanks, Kiera.” I smile. “Where would you like the booze?”

“Set it in the kitchen just ahead.” She indicates the passthrough.

“Thanks. You guys have a beautiful home. Congrats.”

“Thanks, man.” Jonathan wraps his arms around the petite brunette. Her smile toward him is so smitten, it’s hard not to grin for them.

I walk into the immaculate kitchen with marble countertops, black cabinets, and a gas stove. The rectangular-shaped island in the middle of the kitchen is completely covered in delicious foods. A variety of sweet and salty makes my mouth water.

“There goes my diet,” I mutter.

“We’ll take that as a compliment.” Mia walks in and greets me. “Hey, Ian.”

“Hey, Mia,” I greet back. “I see you and Kiera have been busy.”

Her hair is in waves. Her makeup sultry as she wears a tight, purple corset and black pants with a pointy witch hat on her head.

“It wasn’t just us. Most of the ideas for the food came from—”

“Me.”

I hear Kami’s voice before I even see her make the corner and come behind Mia.

The minute she comes into view, I’m blown away by her all-black sexy vampire costume. Her black-laced corset highlights her hourglass figure. Her tits spill over the top, screaming to me “Put me in your mouth. I taste good.” Her short, ruffled skirt barely covers the tops of her thighs, which are dressed in sheer, fishnet stockings. Shit, how am I going to keep my hands off her tonight? Then again, what if that’s the idea?

I realize I’ve been staring too long at her tits, bounce my gaze back up to her face, and mentally pick my jaw up from off the floor.

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