Page 8 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

Jack glances down at his phone again. “What about your bucket list travel destination?”

Instead of answering the question, I reach over and take his phone. “What are you looking at?” I focus on the screen and see a logo at the top.

Love, Austen Matchmaking.

“Are you kidding me? You’re signing me up for a dating app? That’s a no.”

Taking in a deep breath, Jack says, “Again, fake relationship. But you do have to fill in all the questions to apparently match up with women in the system.”

I frown. “That sounds a lot like I’m signing up for a trust package that I will eventually break because I’m not ready for a relationship.” I don’t realize how loud my voice is getting until all the other eyes in the suite are on me. Irritation gets the best of me, and I slide my elbows down to my knees, trying to focus on the play out on the ice.

“Oh, but Miles,” a voice says from behind me. I turn and see Trey’s mother grinning. “There are so many amazing women I could set you up with. Why don’t you come over this week and we can work on finding you someone great?”

My smile is wooden, but I’m just trying to save face. “If you’re making your roast beef, Mrs. Hatch, I’ll be over to help you eat it.”

She laughs and I join in. She’s one person I can always joke with, someone who doesn’t take me as seriously as my mother or the other owners of Clark Medical Group.

“Sounds good. Jack and Spence, you’re both invited too. Maybe we can get Trey to find a nice girl as well.”

We all give her fake smiles before she turns to talk with some other ladies in the suite.

“Let me see that,” I say. I lean over Jack’s phone and start thumbing through the multiple questions. “If she’s jumping on the setting-up-dates bandwagon, I might as well take this into my own hands.”

Jack takes a sip of his soda and nods. “If she’s playing matchmaker, we might all need that app.”

CHAPTER3

Dani

“Time for another?” Kenzie asks from the chair next to me.

“Movie or tub of ice cream?” I ask, half-laughing, half-crying at the idea. We’re camping out in the bonus room upstairs, downing pints of frozen cream and watching all the sappy movies possible. So, just the typical Saturday night at what we’ve deemed the Spice House. Not because we can cook with a wide variety of spices, but because of the range of attitudes under one roof. At least that’s Kenzie’s explanation.

Kenzie stands up, gathering the garbage. “Maybe we should switch to something salty. My tastebuds have lost their sensors from the sugar overload.”

“And I’m thinking we should watch something with a little more action to it,” I say. “We’ve predicted the last few movies with weird accuracy.”

Yes, we might’ve started our movie marathon at two this afternoon, but it’s only eight now. The night is still young.

No, I’m not wallowing after the mishaps of the night before. I’m consoling a friend after a rough week. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

“Let’s order in. Maybe some substantial protein and veggies will help.” Kenzie stands and raises her hands into the air, stretching.

I roll my eyes. “Really? You’re going to worry about your diet now after at least three thousand calories of ice cream?”

Footsteps on the stairs cause me to turn and I see Evie, another roommate, walking up. She’s got a couple of white bags in her hands. From the smell of it, she’s bringing Chinese.

“I figured you all needed something to eat while you mope about your lack of boyfriends. I owe you both for the last time we ordered in. Here are your favorites.”

Kenzie and I descend on the bags as though we haven’t seen real food in days.

“Thanks, Evie. I’ll send you money right now,” I say, pulling out my phone.

“No, I told you I already owe you for last time. How about I get to pick the movie?” She reaches over and picks up the remote control. “I need a break from making jewelry.”

I exchange a quick glance with Kenzie and we nod in agreement.

“Okay, but can it be in color this time?” Kenzie asks.

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