Page 41 of How To Fake A Fiancé

“Pumpkin! I’m so glad you answered.” No doubt he’s grinning from ear to ear.

Pumpkin? Seriously? Could he be any cringier?

“What do you want?” Let’s get to the point.

“Buttercup, aren’t you happy to hear my voice?”

“I’ll be happier when I stop hearing your cringy nicknames for me.”

“You. Me. Dinner. Wednesday night. I’m thinking Mexican food. What do you say?”

I know what I want to say. I want to give him a very adamant no. But delaying the inevitable isn’t going to help. “Fine with me. Will that be all?”

“Just can’t wait to take you out.”

“Where should I meet you?”

“Text me your address, and I’ll pick you up.”

No. That’s way too close.

“No thanks. I’ll meet you there.”

“No can do, darling. Like I said before, I was raised as a gentleman. Ladies should always be wined and dined in my opinion.”

I sigh. After experiencing his wining and dining firsthand, I’m now finding it difficult to say no. “I’ll send you the address.” I type in my location and hit send. “Happy?”

“Much. How was your day?”

Is he for real? Why does he want to know about my day? He already got what he wanted. But still, I play along. “Jonathan’s sister, Mia, is moving her stuff in today. We’re almost done, so I’m ordering a pizza for dinner.”

“That’s great. What do you think of Mia as a roommate so far? I hear from Jonathan she can be a bit…uptight.”

“She’s a bit of a perfectionist but harmless as far as I can see.”

“Well, enjoy your night, and I’ll pick you up at seven on Wednesday.”

“You, too.” What else could I say?

“See you soon.”

My stomach tightens as his sultry voice says those words. I feel my cheeks flush, while my stomach flutters.

No. Pull yourself together.

Before I can scold him again on his incessant nicknaming, he ends the call and I’m left in the dead silence of my room.

It’s quiet, too quiet.

I know that Mia and Jake are in the other room, but this silence is…stifling. It’s strange how when I was talking to Ian, I felt a rush of happiness. And then the moment he hung up, this wave of loneliness takes over. A loneliness I haven’t felt in a long time.

Chapter Twelve

Friday Evening, November 9

Dallas, TX

Ian

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