Page 61 of How To Fake A Fiancé

When we reach the front door, I take a deep breath, then slowly exhale. “No turning back now.”

I push the button for the doorbell, which causes a muffled ring to reverberate in the house, followed by cheerful, feminine screams.

“That would be my mom and sister.”

I hear him let out a chuckle before I see a figure approach the door. An older man close to my mom’s age with broad shoulders and tall stature stands at the threshold holding open the door. Greeting us with a warm smile, he wears a red plaid shirt and denim jeans which complement his olive skin tone and salt-and-pepper hair. I’m willing to bet this is Mom’s new boyfriend.

“Hiya there,” he greets us with a Texan accent. “You must be Kami and Ian. Come on in.” He waves us inside.

“Thank you,” Ian says as we cross the threshold.

“Here.” The man looks at Ian, taking his duffel bag and my suitcase in hand. “Let me take those for you.”

“Thank you, sir.” Ian smiles.

I watch as the man takes both our bags down the hall until he disappears into one of the rooms at the far end—my old room.

Scanning the interior of the house, I see not much has changed with the place other than a few new pieces of furniture I don’t recognize. To the right of me is a wall of family photos from over the years, each showing my smile as either fleeting or fake because my mom forced us to pretend to be one big happy family. To the left of me is the formal living room with a black leather couch and matching recliners along with a big plasma screen. Ahead of me is the dining room, cornered off by a wall, and the kitchen adjacent to that. Small but cozy.

In my line of vision as I scan the rest of the house, my mom and sister come into view.

“Mija,” my mother cries with joy.

They both all but run to me, wrapping me in a big group hug. I give them a half smile, hugging them, one in each arm.

“Hey, guys.”

“We’re so glad you’re here.” My mom smiles.

“How was the trip?” Sofia asks.

“Uneventful. Barely anyone on the road,” I reply.

My mom looks like she’s about to say something else when her gaze zeroes in on Ian. “And who might be this handsome stud standing next to my beautiful daughter?”

“Mom.” I’m barely inside the house, and she’s already embarrassing me.

Ian laughs, extending a hand to her. “Hi, Mrs. Hernandez. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Bypassing his handshake, she goes in for a hug. “Don’t worry. We’re huggers in this family. We’re so glad you’re here.”

He chuckles before gently breaking from the hug. “You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Hernandez.”

“Thank you. You are so sweet. And feel free to call me Maria,” my mom gushes.

I give my sister another hug. “Hey, you.”

“Hey.” She hugs me tightly. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed her until now. The last time I saw her, she was going off to college.

I look over to Mom, seemingly deep in conversation with Ian, then turn my gaze back to Sofia. “Mom seems to be in a good mood.”

“She has been for a while. I’ve been dropping by her place whenever I can to see if she’s okay. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her.”

I turn toward Mom again with a more analytical eye. Her big, bright smile surprises me the more I look at her. Instead of appearing haggard, she seems as though she’s been taking care of herself. Her hair is dyed and she has makeup on.

“What do you think is making her happier?”

“Not ‘what,’ but more like ‘who.’” Sofia indicates the stranger as he comes back from down the hall.

---