Page 106 of The Fiancé Hoax

“What are those?”

“Order forms for custom-made girls' clothes. I have to design and sew each one of these within a week.”

“And you're doing that in addition to managing the store and all the rest of your merchandise?”

“Yes.” The tension rose in my stomach as I thought about the work waiting for me.

“Babe, you need help around here. For starters, you should hire at least two or three employees to cover sales and the sewing. Then you need a competent manager. Your job should be fashion design. Now that you’re leveling up, you have to delegate all those other tasks.”

“I can't afford all that. You're talking about putting several people on payroll. I'd like to hire staff eventually, but I can't yet.”

Lauren picked up my bookkeeping notebook. “Mind if I have a look at this?”

“Help yourself.”

Lauren spread it out on the counter between us. We both studied it intently for a few moments.

“See?” Lauren finally said, pointing excitedly to the profit I had made the past few days. “That number is huge. You can definitely afford a few employees. Even without factoring in Cooper’s financial investment.”

I looked at the numbers and listened as she gave me a summary of how much I’d need to pay a few employees every week, based on her experience managing the books at the flower shop.

My eyes grew wide when I realized she was right.

Moonstone Boutique was finally thriving. Even before the interview was published, I had seen a steady increase in sales from the advertising campaigns I was running. And with the prices adjusted to reflect the amount of time and cost of materials that had gone into each garment, my business was doing better than ever.

“You're right,” I breathed. “I could hire some people.” I smiled, my mind racing with possibilities. “That would be a huge help around here. And I’d be free to do what I love most of all—designing.”

Lauren glanced at the front door. Three customers had lined up outside, waiting for me to open the store. She laughed. “Yeah, you're going to need some help around here.”

I blew my nose and grabbed a handheld mirror to check my eye makeup, then turned to my friend. “Thanks, Lauren. For everything.”

“That's what friends are for.” She smiled. “I better get to work. Text me later?”

“Of course.” I gave her a hug and followed her to the front door, where she walked toward the flower shop.

I smiled at the customers waiting outside. Even though it wasn’t yet opening time, I let them inside. As soon as I had a free moment, however, I would post some job openings for staff members.

Hopefully, I’d have some help around the store soon. That lifted the burden from my shoulders a little already.

And tonight when I saw Cooper, I would tell him I was pregnant. It wasn't the best timing, but he deserved to know.

And I deserved to know what to expect from the father of my child.

26

COOPER

Felicity was late getting home. Again.

It was just as well. It was better if the girls didn't see her around the house much anymore. It might hurt less for them this way.

We just had to get through the next three days. Then the custody trial would happen on Monday.

At dinner, the girls asked about her. They had been spending time in the studio, drawing and playing with the fabric. I think it was mainly to feel closer to Felicity, to be in her space and to be around her things. All I could say was that she was working.

Shortly after I put the girls to bed, Felicity came home. As I heard her park, I walked out of my study and met her in the foyer. She seemed tired, but she gave me a smile.

“Sorry I'm so late again. Are the girls already asleep?”

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