Page 56 of How To Fake A Fiancé

I manage to give him a half smile. “Hey.”

“Hey there.” He walks toward me, and I meet him halfway.

“How are you?” he asks in that deep and sultry tone of his.

“I…I’m good. You?” I have a hard time not getting lost in those eyes.

“Better now that I’m here.” I start to get the feeling he didn’t come today just for the festivities.

I start blushing when a loud ring coming from the kitchen reverberates. I look down at the one bottle of wine still in each of his hands. “I can take one for you. Everyone is in the kitchen if you want to say hi.”

“It’s all good. I got them.”

“I insist.” I take one of the bottles as we walk into the kitchen together.

The scent of food must have hit his senses because his face turns surprised. “Wow, this all smells so amazing.”

After setting the dish of sweet potatoes on a hot pad, Mia turns toward us. “You made it.” She walks over to him, and they exchange a brief hug. “If you’re looking for the rest of the men, one went to take a shower, and the other two are out on the patio keeping an eye on the green bean casserole.”

“How’s the turkey lookin’ this year?”

“See for yourself.” Mia points to the gigantic bird resting on the stove. “For once they managed to not burn it.”

He inspects the turkey. “That’s a relief. What’s the ETA on dinner time?”

“As soon as Jonathan is out of the shower, we’ll start filling plates,” Kiera replies.

“Cool. In that case, I’ll have Jake and Nathan come back inside with that casserole.”

“Good thinking,” Mia says as she takes out large serving spoons, setting them next to each dish.

“What would you like to drink?” I ask him.

“A water for now would be great. Thanks, Kami.” He gives me a glimpse of that charming grin of his before opening the sliding door and closing it behind him. I watch him, Nathan, and Jake greet each other.

I must have been so focused on Ian that I don’t notice Kiera trying to say something or Mia sneaking up behind me.

“I don’t think he’s going anywhere,” Mia whispers in my ear.

I jolt in surprise at her being so close. “What?”

She and Kiera laugh.

“We’re all set?” Jonathan asks, walking into the kitchen with freshly styled hair and clean clothes.

“Yep, the turkey should be ready for carving.” Kiera smiles at her husband-to-be.

We spend the next hour laughing and eating at the dining room table. The food tastes so good, I start cursing at myself for not being able to finish everything on my plate.

“Mia, this is fantastic,” Jonathan compliments as he fills his fork with more sweet potatoes.

“Who made the stuffing? I swear, I’m obsessed with how good it tastes,” Ian compliments my dish.

“I made it. It’s a family recipe.” I beam.

“Could you send me the recipe?” he asks. “My family would love this.”

“Sure, I’ll send it to you later.”

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