Page 76 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

She gives me a small smile. “Really, Miles. It will be okay. If you hadn’t punched Clay, I know he would’ve found some other reason to get me in trouble. Let’s go get this party started.”

There’s a small glimpse of the woman I’m falling in love with, but then again, I shouldn’t expect her to be overly happy and witty all the time. She’s strong and I can use her in my life. Permanently. I’ll have to find a way to tell her that by the end of the night.

The moment I’m inside, I’m pulled away by a couple of men who’ve been connected to the Clark Medical Group almost since it began. Spencer walks up and takes my place next to Dani, helping her navigate the room. It doesn’t matter what the conversation is at the moment, it’s like I’ve got a Dani radar telling me where she is at all times.

Only three hours to go until we can talk about furthering our relationship.

CHAPTER34

Dani

As if the first event I attended six weeks ago wasn’t crazy enough, this one seems like it has an unlimited budget. Maybe that would’ve helped me save the mixer.

I shake my head. Now is not the time to think about what I could’ve done differently. Sharon was apologetic in her phone call and even said how grateful she was to have worked with me. But I didn’t think I’d be jobless this soon after graduation.

“Okay, Miss Dani,” Spencer says, walking next to me. “How about we get a drink to start off this night?”

“You make me sound like a preschool teacher,” I say, laughing. I haven’t spent a whole lot of time around Spencer, but he’s been a nice chaperone tonight. Miles looked as though he didn’t want to leave me alone, but said he’d be back soon. At least I know someone else here.

“Well, I mean, you’re helping out Miles.”

That hurts, making me realize just how close we are to the end. I glance over at Miles, who looks distracted as he’s talking to the people he needs to.

I’m so focused on him that I don’t see who’s in front of me until Spencer nudges me with his arm.

“This is, um, Miles’s mom, Anita Clark. This is Dani, Miles’s fiancé.”

The woman’s lips are pinched together and I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry at this situation.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you,” I say. Okay, maybe that was a little too much brightness for this woman. “Miles was talking about having dinner with you at some point.”

“I’m sure he was,” the woman says drily. “Spencer, I’m going to need a minute with Miss Higgins.”

I turn to glance at him, hoping he won’t leave me here by myself, but he nods, giving me a concerned look.

“Follow me,” Mrs. Clark says. She turns on her heel and practically marches to the doors. I feel like I’m being led to my execution with how this is all playing out.

With a quick glance behind, I see Spencer following at a distance. What is it about this woman that has Miles and all his friends terrified?

We walk through the ornate doors and into an empty hallway. Mrs. Clark whirls around, causing me to jump from the sudden action.

“I’m not sure what your intentions are with my son, but know that you’ll never live up to his expectations.”

I frown, the frustration that has been building over the past several days coming to the surface. “Are you sure you’re not talking about your own wants?”

The woman’s eyes fly open wide and she looks as though I’ve physically struck her. “Just because you’re engaged to him doesn’t mean he’s going to stick with you. He just needs to get women like you out of his system so he can realize who he really needs at his side.”

“That will be a great conversation for us to have then, won’t it?” I say, adding some sugar to my voice. I might not be convinced Miles would ever see a future with me, but I won’t let this woman win with all her hate.

“You’ll stay away from him after tonight, do you hear me?”

I’m not sure where it comes from, probably from the stress of seeing Miles deck Clay several days ago and then losing my job, but all I can do is laugh. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we’re both adults and we can figure out what the future will be. Your son is the most amazing guy I’ve ever met, and he’s given me no indication that he’s the kind to up and leave when he’s made commitments. I don’t know what the history is between the two of you or between you and his ex-girlfriends, but I hope you know what you’re doing when you try to destroy his relationships behind his back. Because chances are, you’re destroying his trust in you.”

Shock is the only expression left on the woman’s face.

“I might not be high society, but I love Miles Clark. He’s nothing like I thought he’d be and everything I could ever hope to have as a husband. I’m sorry I don’t meet your standards, but I’m at a point where I now realize I’m not everyone’s favorite dessert. And that’s okay. I’m not changing who I am because that’s what you want.”

I turn in the most dramatic way possible, mostly because of the gown I’m wearing and head back toward the doors. Spencer is leaning against one with his phone out.

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