Page 65 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

“You obviously didn’t have the angle I had,” Kenzie says, winking.

We’re silent a moment and tears well up, ready to fall.

“What’s wrong, Dani? You’re okay.”

I sit up, wiping at my eyes. “It’s just a lot, you know? I mean, the guy has like two faults and the rest of him is perfect.”

Kenzie nods, her expression softening. “You’re starting to have feelings for him, aren’t you?”

I nod, the ball of tension in my throat making it hard to swallow, let alone talk.

“Maybe it’s time to have a conversation about it then.”

I shake my head. “Yeah, because rejection is my favorite thing in the world. That’s all I’ve ever known from the men I’ve dated.”

Kenzie reaches out a hand to take mine and squeezes a couple times. “Well, you only have a couple weeks left. It’s either you talk to him about your feelings at some point, or you lose him completely.”

I give her a fake smile and say, “Geez, you know how to make a girl feel better.”

Instead of a retort back, Kenzie gives me a sad smile. “Take it from a girl who kept everything bottled up. The guy who proposed to me came back three days after the proposal and asked for the ring back, that he’d found someone who could love him completely. Who wouldn’t fret in silence about things.”

I reach forward, pulling Kenzie in for a hug. “I’m so sorry, Kenzie. That must’ve been awful.”

She nods. “It’s not easy being the product of parents who’ve both been married at least three times and hoping that marriage will be different for me. I guess that’s why I wasn’t as open as I should’ve been all those times.”

I nod, cradling her as sobs take over. “When was this?”

“A year ago. I feel like I’ve been on one ride after another ever since.”

“Well, you had some options there tonight,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. “Maybe we should line you up with Trey.”

Kenzie scoffs and shakes her head. “I don’t think I’d survive as a hockey wife. They’re always on the road or training. And what does a girl like me have to offer a guy like Trey?”

I reach over and rest my hand on her forearm, hoping to add some support. “Oh, girl. Everything. You could be the star of your own show if you wanted to be. Trey would be lucky to have you. You’ll just have to get out more than two words.” I smile, hoping she’ll catch on that that last line is a joke.

“Someday I’ll get back into dating. Just not now.”

We sit in silence, and I think back to all that has happened since I met Miles. The wild ride I’m on wasn’t expected at that time, but so far I’ve loved it. It’s the future that’s pressing down on me now, the unknown.

I need to tell him how I feel, but that’s about as easy as handing him my heart and hoping he won’t give it right back.

CHAPTER29

Miles

The next two weeks go by like the tortoise running the race. It’s probably because I haven’t had a moment alone with Dani since dropping her off after the hockey game. With all the things she’s had to arrange and get ready for the mixer and the dinners we’ve had to attend, there hasn’t been much time to talk about anything else.

And for some reason, she hasn’t been as open about life. Maybe that’s just how she carries her stress.

So I call her. It’s been a rough day dealing with my mother and I need to hear her voice. I’m like a sugar addict, needing just another bite of a doughnut or a candy bar.

“Hey, how’s it going?” she says, and from the sound of her voice, she’s got the phone pressed up against her ear to keep both hands free.

“It’s going. My mother is fighting me over this project I had Oliver start on this week.” I’m not sure what the motivation is, if she’s still ticked that I’m engaged to Dani, but she’s been trying to attack me at every angle.

Dani blows out a breath. “I’m sorry, Miles. Is there anything I can do?”

I smile, grateful for her willingness to help out. “You’re already doing it.”

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