Page 27 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

She nods. “That’s the one. I went with him on their cruise a couple months ago.”

“The owner, Roman, is one of my good friends. We were in the same fraternity in college.”

At the mention of Roman, I nod. “I’ve met him a few times. He’s a good guy.”

“Imagine how small the world is,” Dani says, grinning as she lifts her water glass once again.

Our food comes and we chat here and there throughout the meal.

“I seriously can’t believe how good this is,” Dani says, groaning as she puts another bite of the Tuscan Chicken into her mouth. “I might have to look for a copycat recipe and make it.”

I open my mouth to ask the question that follows that, but clamp it shut, knowing I should know that much.

“You like to cook?” Oliver asks, and I give an inward sigh, grateful he asked it.

She tips her head back and forth for a few seconds, finishing the bite. “It depends on my mood. I’ve been branching out from the ten recipes my mother made growing up, thanks to the internet. I’m not ready to be the chef of my own restaurant. Yet.”

I laugh. “I don’t think many people are.”

“Definitely not me. I think I make a better food critic,” Oliver says, adjusting the napkin on his lap.

“Not a chance. I don’t think I’ve heard you criticize food. Ever,” I say.

“Probably true. I love food, okay? So, Miles, what did you want to meet about?” Oliver says, wiping off his mouth with the cloth napkin and sitting back with his glass of wine.

With how well the evening has gone so far, I’ve almost forgotten why we’re here in the first place.

“Our company is starting research on some better equipment for the hospitals. Given the rise in flu cases that hits every fall, we need to find a technology that is smaller and can be multipurposed depending on the capacities and needs of the hospitals.”

Oliver grins. “And you want me to work on it?”

I run a hand through my hair and think through the correct words I want to convey. “You’re my number one option, but if you’re busy, we’d accept anything you can give.”

He turns to Dani and laughs. “The guy is just here for my money.”

“No, it’s not that—”

Oliver laughs. “I know, man. You could fund this with your pocket change. Let me get in touch with my assistant and see what my schedule looks like. When are you wanting to get started?”

“In the next few weeks. My mother wants to have a prototype rolling out by September so we can start sending them to hospitals.”

The expression on his face sobers and he looks over at Dani before settling his gaze on me. “Still working under Mama Clark, huh?”

I sigh, turning my focus to Dani who’s staring at me with curiosity brimming. “For the time being, yes. She keeps saying she’ll retire and then pushes everything back with another idea. Except this one came from me.”

Oliver takes the check from the server and sticks his card in there.

I reach over to try and insert my own. “No, no,” he says. “I’ve got this one.”

Pointing to myself, I say, “I’m the one who invited you to dinner for business.”

“I got to the check first.” Oliver’s smile is triumphant and I relent.

We stand up after he gets his card back and Dani excuses herself to the restroom.

“I don’t know how you found someone like her, but keep her close, man.” Oliver slaps me on the back a couple times as we weave toward the front of the restaurant.

I swallow, wondering if I should confess our true standing. Oliver has always been a good friend, one of those I can pick up and talk with whenever. But something keeps me from saying anything.

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