Page 26 of Billionaire in Disguise

Adrianna relaxed. Not because it was her favorite food – that would be pizza – but because it was a reasonable answer. Of course, her parents would assume he meant veggie chili. Her mother frowned, yet didn’t jump up and immediately accuse her of recruiting a fake date for the occasion.

“She especially likes the meat.”

Well, there it was.

“The ground beef is just delicious,” he continued his one-man sabotage, “She’s a big fan.” He stopped, clearly noticing the scrutiny and silence. He chuckled nervously. “Don’t worry – the meat was organic.”

Could this get any worse?

“Of course it was organic.” She grasped his hand. “After all, it wasveggiemeat.”

He blinked.

She blinked.

The entire family blinked.

“Obviously, it was veggie meat.” He gave a desperate laugh. “Because she is a vegetarian.”

“Of course.” Everyone laughed, except her mother, who was gazing at Nick as if trying to decipher whether he was joking or truly hadn’t known. She plucked the card out of her mother’s hand and placed it back in the box. “Whose turn is it now?”

“Yours, of course.”

Of course.

She reached into the box and removed an innocuous-appearing red heart. She twisted the thick card in her hand and read, “What’s your favorite color?”

Thank goodness. She could make up any color, and he would agree. She opened her mouth, just as her mother spoke, “That’s too easy. Even I know the answer to that.”

Adrianna gaped. “You do?”

“Of course, my dear.” Her mother tapped her arm. “Remember, we had a whole conversation about it?”

They had?She closed her eyes, as she tried to remember the many conversations they had about her supposed boyfriend. It was there, at the back of her mind. She shot up. “It’s pink! He loves the color pink!”

Silence.

Her mother wore a genuine smile this time, while assorted family members sported unabashed amusement. And Nick? He was opening and closing his mouth like a bobbing fish.

“Don’t be ashamed, honey. I’m sure plenty of men would choose pink as their favorite color.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

“Not just any pink,” her mom chimed in helpfully. “Bubblegum pink.”

His gaze darkened.

“Well, then.” She smiled. “Who’s next?”

* * *

“You toldthem my favorite color was bubblegum pink?”

From across the cozy corner loveseat, Adrianna cringed, before glancing around the living room to make certain no one had overheard. The game had finished, amazingly without them being outed as “Fake Couple of the Year,” and the others were now preparing dinner. It had been close, however, and they earned more than their share of curious glances.

Now she whispered, “My mother was concerned by all the rugged activities I gave you. I had to make you appear softer.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “You don’t think I’m soft?”

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