Page 19 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

"He's no longer married and available for the taking."

"Jasmine, you're married."

"Doesn't mean I can't admire God's awesome creation," Jasmine responds cheekily. I try to hold in a laugh but can't. A minute later, Jasmine and I are doubling over with laughter. "You know he's good-looking."

"I didn't say he wasn't."

"Plus, I had seen you walk up to him after the meeting yesterday. Anything juicy you'd like to tell me?"

I shake my head.

"I'd simply been sympathizing about his father's health."

Jasmine nods as if she completely understands.

"I felt really sorry when I heard the news."

“Me too," I tell her honestly.

"So, I have this little contract that I drafted that I was hoping you could look over?"

"I knew you didn't just come here to tell me how hot Declan is."

"Of course, I did. But I might as well kill as many birds as possible with one stone."

I shake my head as I get up and follow Jasmine toward the door.

"How's Matt?" I ask after her husband.

"He's okay."

"And my little cutie?"

"Oh, Jonas is growing and looking more like a feral animal, I tell you."

I giggle.

I don't mind a little feral animal. I have always wondered what my child would look like.

When Allard and I had gotten serious, I actually thought that what we had was meaningful and sustainable. I had quite conjured up various images of what our kids would look like, I spent a disgusting amount of time on various paid test apps to see what a picture of mine blurred into Allard's would produce. Although Allard and I are truly over, I still look forward to settling down with someone who is going to love and adore me, someone who is also going to love kids as much as I do.

As Jasmine and I continue to walk down the hallway toward the office that she still shares with a few sales agents, Declan walks toward us from the corner, my heart skips a beat at the sight of him. His eyes lock on mine as he continues to make his way, I notice again that penetrating stare. When he's close enough for conversation, I flash him a polite smile.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Gray."

"Ms. Goleman."

That voice, calm and smooth as always, washes over me, oddly calming me.

There's a moment of tension between us as he looks at me and I look back at him, not knowing what to say. After several more seconds of that tense silence, Declan says, "There's something I would like to discuss with you if you wouldn't mind dropping by my office."

I give a calm nod.

"I don't mind. I'd just see what Jasmine needs first and come right over."

"Great," Declan says and begins to move away.

Jasmine does not say anything until he's far enough away to not hear us.

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