Page 48 of Boss's Baby: A Fake Fiance Romance

Josh gave me another hand squeeze. “And I’m planning on supporting her all the way.”

“That’s so sweet,” said Katie. “I was kind of unsure about this at first since it’s all so sudden, but seeing you two together—I love it!”

“Thanks,” I said, trying to sound as warm and sincere as I could.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Sam still staring, still trying to figure out exactly what the hell was going on.

“Anyway, babe,” said Josh. “Mind if we talk about something in private before the food gets here?”

“Uh, sure!” I was more than happy to get away from that particular topic.

Josh turned to the rest of the table. “I’m going to steal Cass away from you all for a moment. We’ll be back soon.”

Together the two of us left the table and made our way to one of the outdoor patios.

“How do you think it’s going so far?” I asked.

“About as well as we could hope, I think. But I’m thinking the sooner we drop the news, the better. I want to make sure this goes off without a hitch.”

Tension roiled in my stomach at his words. I had no idea if I was ready. But it was too late to go back now.

I took a deep breath and spoke. “Let’s do it. I don’t know if my nerves can take much more anticipation. Besides, it’s too late to change my mind, right?”

Concern formed on Josh’s features. “Are you still cool with this? I mean, you’re wrong about it being too late to back out.”

“I don’t know. I mean, I do—I still want to. It’s just that seeing my family and your family together like that—it’s making it very real.”

“We can hold off if you want, give you a day or two to mentally prepare yourself.”

I considered it but quickly realized Josh was right—the sooner the better. Putting it off would only give me more opportunity to come up with reasons to get cold feet.

“No. Let’s do it.”

He regarded me for a few moments, as if making sure I was being honest with both him and myself. “Then let’s do it. I’ll grab some champagne, and when it gets here, that’s your cue to put on your ‘insanely happy’ face.”

I nodded, and I could sense Josh was still uncertain about my feelings on the matter. Hell, I knew I was. He grabbed my arm and gave it a squeeze of support, and with that we were back inside. He split from me to place the order for the booze at the bar, and moments later we were inside and back at the table. Our families were in the middle of a conversation, and I worried that it might’ve taken a turn for the heated.

Walter was midsentence. “…but they’re more than happy to provide the service. That’s what they’re paid to do.”

Dad shook his head. “I don’t get any of this country club crap. Don’t feel comfortable with people waiting on me hand and foot.”

I winced internally and realized Josh was right that the sooner we dropped the bomb, the better.

“It’s not being waited on hand and foot,” said Sam. “Only a nice luxury.”

“Luxury makes you soft,” said Dad, reaching for his beer. “One look around this place makes me sure about that.”

“Mark,” said Mom. “Do we really—”

Relief washed over me as the waiter approached the table with a bottle of champagne and enough glasses for everyone at the table.

“Champagne?” asked Walter. “What’s the occasion?”

Josh turned to me and flashed a smile, and I knew it was time. He reached into his suit jacket pocket and removed the small, velvet box.

“Everyone, there’s something I’d like to say.”

My life was about to change forever, right at that moment.

I took a deep breath.

Here we go.

Chapter 21

JOSH

The table was still stunned by the time dessert arrived. Cass’s ring glittered out of the corner of my eye, the ample facets on that massive rock catching nearly every damn light in that place. OK, maybe the stone was a little much, but damned if it didn’t have the effect I’d wanted.

After yet another long period of silence, Sam spoke up. “OK, so you two have been seeing each other for how long?”

“A month.”

“A few weeks.”

We both blurted out our answers at the same time, the two of us sharing a look of surprise as we did.

Sam wore a skeptical expression. I wasn’t sure how much he knew about the marriage ultimatum that Dad had given me, but there was no doubt he’d find out eventually. He was likely the one I’d have to make the hardest sell on this thing to. If he got even the faintest hint this was a fraud…I didn’t want to think about it.

“Don’t you think that’s a little soon?” he asked.

Cass’s dad beat me to the answer. “Well, Linda and I only dated for a few months before I popped the question. If you ask me, this whole thing about seeing each other for years and living together and all that crap is a waste of time. When you meet the right person, you know it.”

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