Page 72 of Counterfeit Connection

She turns to face me with her hands on her cheeks like the kid fromHome Alone. “I get to see my nephew.”

“I can see that excites you.” I chuckle and scrub a hand through my messy hair.

“God, you’re getting thrown into the fire today,” she replies, dropping her hands to her sides. “I didn’t think you’d have to meet the entire family. I can say you don’t feel well, if you want.”

I climb from the warmth of the bed we share to place my hands on her shoulders. “Absolutely not. I know your sister will want to size me up in your defense.”

“But, Griffin, she knows everything. If she does, that means Jason does. Dad will be the only one in the room who doesn’t and that means everyone is lying to him. I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

“Hey. Shhhh. Don’t spiral.” I place a comforting kiss on her forehead. “Most of how we are isn’t an act. I know I like you and I think you like me. That’s real. We’re entering into a business partnership. That’s real. I treat you with the tenderness you deserve. That’s absolutely real. So if you think about it, there’s more truth to our situation than falsity.”

I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince, but I hope it’s working.

Kaitlyn releases a slow breath and nods. “All right.” She pushes up on her tiptoes and kisses me. “Let’s do this.”

I opt to wear black slides and a deep, hunter-green collared shirt tucked in with a black belt. I think it was a good choice, considering Kaitlyn fanned herself when she saw me. I just want to make a decent first impression. If I thought Sam was going tobe a hard sell, Gillian and Jason are ten times more important because they know the truth.

We both hear car doors from outside and with a peek out the window, Kaitlyn bolts to the door. “They’re here!” She takes my hand and all but drags me out of the room and down the stairs.

I stand to the side in the foyer while Sam and Kaitlyn greet Gillian, Jason, and their little one, Joseph. He’s sleeping with his head lolled against his father’s shoulder.

Gillian looks extremely similar to her sister, except she’s a bit shorter. She’s beautiful, of course. Jason shakes his father-in-law’s hand before hugging Kaitlyn. As he does, his gaze immediately casts to me. He’s immediately formidable and none too happy about Kaitlyn’s current situation. I hope he respects her enough to not embarrass her in front of her father.

“Gilly, Jason. I’d like you to meet Griffin Shaw. Griffin, this is my sister, Gillian, her husband, Jason, and this sweet little buddy is Joseph. He’s gotten so big. I just want to eat him.”

“Wait to devour him, Kaitlyn,” Gillian begs. “He’s only been asleep for twenty minutes. We’ve been up since three. I need him to sleep for even an hour.”

I lower my voice to just above a whisper, “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. Could I get any bags from the car for you while you tend to the young master’s sleeping arrangements?”

Jason stands tall with his full stature facing me. “I can get them later. Thank you though, Mr. Shaw.”

“Please, call me Griffin.”

I want to say something else, however, at least for now, I need to read the room before our entire house of cards comes tumbling down.

Chapter 22

Kaitlyn

Joseph is sleeping soundly upstairs when Gillian joins us all at the table for breakfast. She checks the little baby monitor app on her phone, flipping it around to show Jason that he’s tuckered out and safe.

He nods and leans over to kiss her cheek.

Griffin has been mostly silent up until this point, and I can understand why. It’s intimidating when you meet people who are important to someone you care about.

Even though none of this is reality.My inner anxieties still haven’t learned to shut up.

I feel him reach over and squeeze my thigh. That settles me enough to break the silence. “I’m glad you came, guys. Griffinand I are off to London tomorrow, so you picked the perfect time. We get a full day and night together.”

“London? What did I miss?” Gillian asks.

“A lot actually.” Here we go. “I’ve left my job at Wilder and am going to work for Griffin’s legal team.”

I brace for impact. The fierce one, otherwise known as my brother-in-law, doesn’t take too well to this news. “Is mixing work and personal this quickly a bit… impulsive?” he asks.

“That’s the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it, brother dear?” I fire back.

“Kait.” Gillian sighs.

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