Page 52 of The Cupcake Cottage

“Come on, Daisy-Mae. I’ve got a great streak going here. Let me have the hat trick. Three yeses…” He was teasing, cajoling, and a tiny bit worried she was trying to find the publicity angle when he just wanted to call her a part of his family.

“Of course, yes, you silly goose.”

Three big dates. This was turning into a good coffee.

He had one more thing, though…

“You’re worried about our lack of publicity,” he stated.

“Well, it was part of the deal,” she said, taking her cup and winding her fingers around its smooth surface. “Louis was asking me about our plans.”

“The press hasn’t been as bloodthirsty lately.” Dating Daisy-Mae did seem to be quietly helping, even though there wasn’t any big fanfare about them.

“I’ve noticed.”

“Thanks for your help with that.”

She smiled. “It’s been my pleasure.” Her cheeks flushed slightly. “But we haven’t really been maximizing our opportunities. I know you’re not exactly an attention hound, but maybe there’s something we can do to give things a small kick.”

He narrowed in on her words, the opportunity that was coming his way.

“You want to maximize things?” he asked.

“I think we should.”

He leaned forward again. “How about this? If nothing moves the needle on my reputation or deals for Landon and Leo by New Year’s Eve…” He paused. Was he really going to put this out there? Take a risk and ratchet up the fake angle when all he wanted was real when it came to Daisy-Mae?

Yeah, yeah, he was willing to take that risk in hopes of winning all of her.

“What?” she asked, leaning closer, her gaze on his lips.

He swallowed hard, trying to will his voice to sound casual as he said, “I’ll propose to you. Publicly.”

** *

Propose.

That meant engaged.

She’d be engaged to Maverick Blades.

He’d be hers. His heart, his time and attention.

But they’d be faking their level of commitment, wouldn’t they?

Although, a fake engagement where she had to kiss those frowning lips and have him light up when he saw her? Amazing idea. Even better than dating.

It would be a job. A duty.

But it was Maverick, and every moment with him felt like sunshine on her soul.

She held onto the beginnings of a smile.

It faded. It would suck when he broke up with her. She could only imagine her mother’s words about what a fool she’d been. Not only would Daisy-Mae carry the stigma of being a former beauty queen, but also the ex-fiancée of an NHL star. A star who didn’t date anyone more than once. And who had all but welcomed her into his woman-free zone—like she didn’t count?

No. She needed to clear her mind and focus on what she felt—what was real. She was already falling in love.

But it wasn’t a guarantee that he’d be falling, too. He was suggesting an engagement as a publicity stunt.

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