Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I hadn’t even heard him come in. When I turned, I found him grinning at my predicament, his girlfriend Morgan at his side, both of them clearly entertained by my fumbling.
“I wasn’t trying to upset her,” I said, spinning back toward Fallon. Her face was flushed, and I felt panic clawing at my chest. I could be ruthless in a boardroom, could stare down hostile investors without flinching, but making a woman cry, especially someone I cared about, was my personal nightmare. “I didn’t realize it wasn’t okay to comment on a pregnant woman’s size. I mean, she knows she’s big, right? It’s not like—”
Morgan groaned and shook her head. “Good God, man. Stop talking. You’re making it worse.”
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. “I give up.”
I retreated to the living room just as the apartment door opened again, admitting the rest of my guests. My sister Shannon swept in first, holding a bottle of red wine aloft like a trophy.
“I figured you’d only have crappy beer,” she announced, pecking my cheek as she passed, “so I took the liberty of bringing something a little more refined.”
I rolled my eyes as she disappeared into the kitchen to find a corkscrew.
Then my gaze landed on Raina, and everything else faded to background noise. She was standing between her brother Kurt and a woman I hadn’t met yet but knew must be Wren, her best friend, who I told her to invite. Raina wore a casual dress—something flowy and feminine with a ruffled hem that hit mid-thigh, showing off her toned, bare legs, and strappy sandals. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, catching the light every time she moved. She looked like sunshine personified.
I wasn’t normally one to invite strangers into my home, but I’d wanted Raina to feel comfortable here. I knew having Wren present—someone from her world, someone who knew her outside of work and outside of me—would help ease her into this gathering of my family and friends since this was the first time Raina was meeting everyone. From everything Raina had told me, she and Wren were as close as sisters.
I crossed the room to greet them, and Raina’s face lit up when our eyes met. That smile of hers hit me square in the chest every single time.
“Simon, this is Wren,” she said, gesturing to the dark-haired woman beside her. “Wren, this is Simon.”
Wren had sharp, assessing eyes that swept over me with obvious curiosity. Her handshake was firm, her smile knowing. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good things, I hope.”
“Mostly.” Her lips twitched. “The jury’s still out on the rest.”
I decided I liked her.
After introductions, Fallon and Noah drifted into the living room, Fallon’s earlier distress apparently forgotten as she balanced a plate heaped with food. Noah shot me a warning look that dared me to comment. As if I’d make that mistake twice. I might not understand why it was forbidden to mention a pregnant woman’s size, but I wasn’t stupid enough to say anything about how much she was eating, especially when she was eating for two.
“There’s food in the dining room,” I said to Raina, placing my hand on the small of her back to guide her in that direction.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kurt stiffen.
When I glanced over, he was staring at my hand on his sister’s back, his expression shifting from casual friendliness to something more guarded. It occurred to me that he didn’t know things between us had changed. I’d told Kurt about the fake dating arrangement after the gala, and he’d found it hilarious at the time, teasing me about having to play house with his sister just to land Alexander’s business.
He looked considerably less amused now.
The concern in his eyes reminded me of the way Miles had looked at me during dinner—protective, suspicious, ready to intervene if necessary. Both of Raina’s brothers clearly watched out for her, and while I appreciated that she had people in her corner, their obvious wariness toward me rankled.
It wasn’t a surprise when Kurt followed us into the dining room. The game had just started in the other room, drawing most of my guests to the TV, but Kurt clearly had other priorities. Shannon and Wren remained in the kitchen, their laughter drifting out as they bonded over wine.
“So, Raina,” Kurt said as I handed her a plate. He stood on the opposite side of the table, watching us with studied casualness. “How’s the job going?”
Something in his tone made Raina’s eyes narrow. “It’s great. Why do you ask?”
Kurt’s gaze flicked to me before returning to his sister. “Just curious. You two seem to be getting along exceptionally well. Beyond the whole fake dating thing.”
The words landed like a challenge. Raina’s spine went rigid, and I stood motionless, waiting to see how she’d respond. I’d told her she was mine in that coffee shop, had made my intentions clear, but we hadn’t truly discussed what it meant. I’d assumed she understood that things had changed between us. That part of the reason I’d invited her tonight was because I wanted the woman I was falling for to meet the important people in my life.