Page 37 of Accidentally Falling for My Fake Wife

“I promise to keep you up to date with any decisions I make, but until I make a decision, there is nothing to talk about.” Olivia opens her mouth to speak. I put my hand up to stop whatever words she may want to utter. “Nothing to talk about. Okay?”

They stare at me in silence, but the questions they want to ask are written on every nuance of their faces.

“Good, and thank you. Now, let’s get to the reason for this Zoom call. Amelia Adams' new book.”

I watch Nicole’s eyes dance with humor. “Which just happens to have two of my favorite tropes. Fake dating—”

“And marriage of convenience.” Liv finishes before they both burst out laughing.

I love our time together, but right now, I just want to hit ‘end meeting.’ Instead, I pretend neither one of them said anything and move into discussing the book—a book that just happens to have the titleThe Husband I Never Wanted.

Looking through the coffeeshop door, I see Thanks-A-Latte is jam-packed this Saturday morning, which kicks my nerves up another notch. I was hoping for a nice, low-key environment in case I humiliate myself.

Guess that was wishful thinking. Now, I’ll have an entire audience to witness it.

Flattening my flannel with one hand, I question if I made the right choice. I changed three times, which is silly because I’m still wearing jeans and a blue cotton t-shirt under my flannel.

I take a deep breath and pull open the door. The bell jingles, and I step back to let a mom and four kids pass. When one of the boys notices me, he stops in front of me, mouth hanging open, and freezes. I smile and tip the cap of my baseball hat at him.

“Gregory!” His mom’s harried voice snaps him out of surprise. A wide smile spreads across his face, and he waves.

“Mom, that was Adam Daniels!” He whisper-yells as he chases after his mom and siblings.

“Who?” His mom asks impatiently as I notice her do a quick head count. I chuckle and walk into the coffee shop.

The smell of freshly ground coffee beans, the whir of the frother, and the murmur of people talking hit me, sending a hum through my already sensitive senses. I swallow past the lump in my throat.

I’m not a big coffee drinker, but even I can admit that the smell of fresh coffee and espresso being brewed brings a unique comfort to the air.

I wipe my palms down the front of my jeans before turning to the front of the shop, scanning the seats when my eyes land on a woman with long brown hair, an elegant profile, and a Mavs hat. Her location: the back corner booth.

She’s looking out the front window, people-watching. I let my gaze fall to her hands and watch as she cracks her knuckles. The knot in my stomach loosens a bit, and a lopsided grin flits across my lips.

Slowly making my way toward her, I let my gaze fall back to her face just as she turned toward me.

Our eyes collide, my heart nearly leaps out of my chest, and I’m cursed by two left feet.

The person sitting in the corner booth, along the front of the shop, is none other than Susie Owens.

Josh Owens' sister. Susie Owens.

My stomach drops to the floor, and my feet are stuck in concrete. I’m frozen to the spot. Glancing around the coffee shop, I wonder if there isanotherback corner booth along the front containing a woman wearing a Mavs hat.

Nope. Not a single one.

A wry grin crosses my face when I glance back at Susie. She’s staring at me, blinking repeatedly. A small smile creeps upon her lips, and I feel mine expand. My heart is a battering ram in my chest, and my stomach is a swirling pool of anxiety. Part of meis relieved that it’s her, while the other part is ready to throw up my breakfast.

There is no way I can ask Josh’s sister to be my fake wife. He’ll murder me in front of the entire team, possibly on live TV. It might be a better idea just to give up my career and head back to Canada.

Even as these thoughts are playing over in my head, my feet are walking in Susie’s direction.

“Hey, Adam.” She grins at me before peeking around me. “Were you craving some peppermint tea?”

“That.” I smirk. “And I’m here to meet someone.”

“Oh?” Her eyebrows shoot up. “That’s too funny. So am I. Meeting somebody, that is.”

“I know.” Her eyebrows pull together, and her head tilts in the most adorable way. I can’t help it; I laugh.

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