Page 4 of The Fiancé Hoax

“So, how do you know Marsh?” I asked him, hoping to stall for time. I desperately needed him to stay put until Ruth moved on.

His eyebrow arched. “Marsh is my attorney. He’s the attorney for most of the guests here tonight.” He looked me up and down, and heat flooded my core. “Is he yours, too, since you’re on a first-name basis with him?”

I swallowed. “Yes, of course he is. He’s the best, after all.”

“The best attorney for investors, absolutely.”

I fidgeted with the platinum-blonde hair of the wig. My mouth was dry. “So, you’re an investor?”

He nodded, that amused smile back on his face. “Yes.”

I smiled warmly and extended my hand. “I’m Felicity, and this is Lauren.”

He shook both our hands. “Cooper Pierce.”

I gulped. “Of… Pierce Investing?”

“That’s the one.”

Lauren and I exchanged a quick glance. I could not believe my luck.

Cooper Pierce was the number-one investor I wanted to chat with tonight.

I’d heard my dad talk about him before. Cooper owned a very successful investment company. Best of all, he was known for taking chances by investing in small businesses.

Dad never mentioned what an absolute hottie he was.

“Are you both investors, too?” Cooper asked with a smirk.

Lauren laughed. “No, I work in a flower shop. And Felicity’s a badass girl boss.”

I raised an eyebrow at my friend. Lauren was not sticking to the script tonight. At all.

“I own a clothing boutique,” I blurted. “I sell my own fashions that I design and sew myself.” I opened my clutch and retrieved a business card, handing it to Cooper.

He looked at it, his face neutral. “Moonstone Boutique,” he read.

“She’s wearing one of her designs,” Lauren offered.

His eyes fell on my dress and moved down slowly, taking it in.

God, why did that feel so naughty?

And so good?

“I don’t know much about fashion,” he said. “But it’s a nice dress. Not the best for climbing stone walls in, though.”

“Thank you.” I ignored his last comment. “My specialty is vintage-inspired bohemian for the free spirit, with a modern twist.”

“How many employees?”

I blinked. “None. Just me.” I didn’t mention that I couldn’t afford to pay anyone.

“Where’s the store?”

I dug my phone from my purse and brought up my photo app. I’d created a folder with pictures of the store. I passed him the phone, and he flipped through the images.

“It’s right downtown,” I said. “A darling little building. Tons of natural light and a good location.”

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