Page 23 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

No matter what keeps coming up when I’m at my desk, I can’t keep my mind off her. I go through the motions of work, checking through reports and doing what I can to listen in during meetings, but I keep turning over all the surprises Dani brings to the table.

The problem is, I think my mom knows something is up. And now I’ve been summoned to her office like I’m heading to death row. At least that’s how her shy assistant makes it sound. It’s a miracle the girl has stuck around as long as she has.

I knock three times on the door and stand, waiting for her permission to enter.

“Come in, son,” she says, adjusting her glasses as she thumbs through several stacks of paper.

I take a seat in the wingback chair, the only office to have something so comfortable. I’d overheard my mom say it’s to lull people into a sense of security before she puts them in their place. That’s why I don’t scoot back fully, sitting on the front two-thirds of the chair.

“What do you need?” I ask, knowing I’m playing with fire by pressing. It’s already getting close to time for me to pick up Dani.

“Did you get all those reports filed like we needed?” she asks, glancing up. She pulls off the glasses and stares at me.

I nod. “Yes, I did that last Friday.”

“And what about the newest research wing? Have you figured out the details there?”

I take a deep breath and nod. “I’m going to dinner with one of our old investors tonight. He has all the contacts to get our newest heart rate machine research going.”

There’s a faint smile on her face when she says, “Good.”

She doesn’t dismiss me yet, which means there’s something else on her mind.

“What about your plans for a plus one to the Investor’s Ball?” And there it is, the first question about my relationship status today.

“Actually, I do have someone I’ll be bringing.”

My mother’s lips pinch at the corners. “Please tell me it’s not Amanda, or whatever your newest fling’s name is.”

It takes all I have to keep from grinning. I love my mother, but our relationship isn’t as strong as, say Trey and his mother’s. And it seems my plans to date random women have hit their mark.

“And what’s this one’s name?” she asks in resignation.

“Dani Higgins.”

Her eyes blink a few times and I realize my misstep. “Danielle Higgins, but she likes going by Dani.”

“I doubt her family is in any of our circles?” Mom tips her head back an inch, waiting for the response.

I frown. “You mean your circles?” The distinction is small, and by default of the nature of our business, I know a lot of people in the same places, but I’m not elitist. Another gift my father had given me.

“When you’re ready, I’ll reach out to Tanya.”

“Good luck with that, Mom. Let me know how that goes, because I’m not getting back with her.”

Mom rises from her chair and says, “You stubborn fool. She was the best thing that’s ever happened to you. To us.”

I blink several times and am surprised by the mental comparison my brain is giving me of Tanya and Dani.

“Then keep up the relationship for yourself. I don’t want any part of it.”

Sure, there are a lot of differences between my ex and my current fake girlfriend, but the one with long blonde hair is winning by a landslide. Not that there is any real contest because everything is just a business agreement between Dani and me, but it’s nice to see that the Tanyas of the world aren’t my only option. That’s a definite eye-opener.

“Is there anything elsebusiness-relatedyou need me to take care of?” If I draw the line in the sand now, maybe it will save me time standing here for the line of questioning.

Mom settles back into her desk and shakes her head. “You’re dismissed.”

Once I’m outside her office, I breathe in deeply, relishing the cooler air. And nothing has me more committed than the plan I’ve set in place with Dani.

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