Page 3 of Fake It True

Another detail new to me, although this entire appointment was a bunch of news to me.

I kept on smiling politely.

“Oh, okay, good to know. So, your mom supports you seeing a therapist before you get married,” Delaney said.

Casey’s auburn ponytail bounced up and down with her nod. “Yep!”

A little while later, we walked out of Delaney’s office after we scheduled another appointment next week. I kept waiting for Casey to let go of my hand, but she didn’t. We walked all the way out to the parking area. When we got outside, she glanced up, asking, “Which truck is yours?”

“Straight ahead.” I stopped behind my truck, glancing down at Casey. “So, uh, that was something,” I said.

Her teeth snagged on her bottom lip and awareness sizzled through me. She took a quick breath, letting it out in a rush. “Thank you. I know that was probably strange.”

A laugh rustled in my throat. “Something like that. Am I really going to another appointment with you and pretending like we’re engaged?”

“You don’t have to. I can go by myself. I’ll just tell her that the first session was great and thank her for her time.”

This was definitely crazy, but my curiosity got the best of me. “I don’t mind going to another appointment. How long do you think we can get away with faking it?”

Casey giggled, her cheeks flushing a delectable shade of pink. “I don’t know. If you want to go, let’s see how long it lasts.” She paused before tipping her head to the side. “You don’t owe me anything. I spill coffee on myself on the daily.”

I held her pretty hazel gaze for a moment. “It was a lot of coffee…” I shrugged, my words trailing off. “How about this? We do three appointments together. If she still hasn’t figured it out, you explain to me why the hell you need a fake fiancé going to counseling with you?”

I could’ve sworn sadness passed through her gaze, and my heart twisted a little.

She blinked and nodded. “Deal.”

Chapter Three

CASEY

When I walked out of my small apartment building, the icy winter air struck my cheeks, instantly invigorating me. I glanced around. Main Street in downtown Willow Brook, Alaska was quiet at 5 a.m. I looked up at the sky as I began walking the short distance. The stars were still bright with just the barest hint of the sun glimmering over the mountains in the distance. The crescent-shaped moon sat low in the sky.

I slipped into the back of the café, locking the door behind me and flicking on the lights in the quiet kitchen. It smelled good, which meant Luna had already been here. Several days a week, she used the kitchen to make batches of donuts. If I could’ve bottled that smell and sold it, it would be worth millions. It smelledsogood, lightly sweet and fresh.

I began my morning routine, going out front to fill the display cases, taking the chairs off the tables, and starting a batch of the house coffee for the early-bird customers. After I had everything ready, I made a cup of coffee and sipped on it for a few minutes.

I heard the door in the back open and knew that Luna had arrived to check on her donuts. “Hey, Luna!” I called out over the half-door that led into the kitchen.

She peered over the door, her curly dark hair twisted into a bun high on her head. Her bright blue eyes twinkled with her smile. “Hey! I’m just taking this batch out. Would you like one?” She waggled her brows.

“You know I do.”

She grinned and waved me into the back. I followed her with coffee in hand. She knew my favorite, a plain donut with a sprinkling of sugar on it. I slipped my hips onto a stool beside the stainless-steel table in the center of the kitchen.

A moment later, I bit into the warm donut and moaned as the sweet, subtle flavor broke across my tongue. After I finished chewing, I looked over at her. “These are a religious experience.”

“I do my best,” she teased.

My cell phone vibrated where it sat on the counter nearby. Out of habit, I glanced down. As soon as I saw the text, dread rose inside, tightening my chest.

“Are you okay?” Luna asked.

I swallowed and met her gaze. I wanted to lie and tell her I was, but whenever I got texts from the man responsible for what happened to my sister, I wasn’t okay, not at all. I took a quick breath. “My sister died, and I miss her. Sometimes, things remind me of her.” That was a serious understatement when it came to Nathaniel.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Luna slid the tray of donuts she had just pulled out of the oven onto the table.

She stepped behind me and lightly squeezed my shoulders. Luna was generous with her hugs and had a warm, down-to-earth vibe. The first time we met, aside from giving me one of her amazing donuts, she pulled a tarot card for me and told me I’d found my place. I wasn’t sure what that meant and was almost afraid to ask her.

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