Page 21 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

I hadn't, until this second, thought that I wanted to be Declan's fake girlfriend either.

"Why have you changed your mind?"

Why did I change my mind?I ask myself.

Is it because of Allard? Have I finally accepted that I will always need help warding him off and the best way to do that would have to be to agree to Declan's proposal? Or is it simply because I do not want someone else helping him get what he's always wanted?

"I think it's because of Allard, also because I want to be the woman who helps you get what you have always wanted."

Declan smiles.

I smile back.

"This is going to work," he murmurs.

"There are so many things that we have to talk about,"I tell him. "Like your son. Would he be accepting of me? He’s had his mother all his life. Would he not feel like she is being replaced?"

Declan shakes his head.

"I have to be honest and tell you that I didn't think that far. But I am certain that we will cross that bridge when we get to it.”

I nod.

"I know this is sudden, but I was hoping that you could come to my house for dinner. Meet Eli. It would be a nice way to know if he will be taken with you."

Dinner at Declan's tonight?

"I don't see why not," I say with a smile.

Last night, even though I had tried to toughen up, I had woken up with a heavy bladder and a strange clanging in the kitchen that had caused my heart to fly to my mouth.

I had tiptoed to the dark kitchen with a stiletto in hand, ready to attack whoever had dared trespass, nearly certain that it was Allard who'd come to taunt me again. But it had turned out to be the window I'd left open being pushed by the wind.

With a relieved sigh, I closed the window, emptied my bladder, and struggled to go back to bed.

"Great. I'll text you the address."

"All right."

I leave Declan's office and make my way to mine, dropping dazedly onto my chair and allowing the truth of what I've agreed to hit me squarely.

I have just agreed to be Declan's fake girlfriend.

Chapter Six

Declan

Icannotrememberthelast time I was this anxious about entertaining someone in my home.

It's a few minutes past 7 p.m. Eli and I are both in the living room, awaiting Felicity's arrival. I'd told him that we were going to have a guest. So far, he's been pretty cool about it.

He is on his iPad as always. There have been times that I have felt like he was on the damn device too much. The first and last time I tried to confiscate the device, it resulted in lots of tears, tantrums, and spilled words from the young ten-year-old that I'd best not revisit.

When a knock sounds on the door, Eli pauses and turns to me.

"Should I get that?" he asks politely.

I smile and try not to let my nerves show.

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