Page 2 of The Replacement Fiance

The fact that Logan Garrison would know whether or not I'm dating someone is sad, but that's been the state of my love life for the last two years ever since Elliot and I broke up. Sure, I see other people and even do the whole 'swipe-right' thing, but nothing has ever gone past the second date. There was always something going on that had to do with my flower shop, Always on a Tuesday Flowers, whether it was a wedding, a funeral, or a quinciñera to oversee. It left me no time to devote to anything else but my shop.

I also have to admit that at twenty-eight, I just might be enjoying being on my own a bit too much, running my own business, and not getting bogged down with the nuances of being in a relationship. But that doesn't mean I never fantasize about dating the man standing in front of me, Logan Garrison of Garrison Motors, but that's another story altogether. Some relationships are best left the way they are—as friendships—even if I have to remind myself every time he stops by the shop on Fridays to stop imagining how it would feel to be kissed by him.

"Seriously, Mariah, what's with the ring? How come I know nothing about this?"

"Just because I see you every week doesn't mean you get to know everything I do, Logan. It's called minding your own business." I gather my purse from the counter and sit down on the worn-out leather couch along the far wall. Suddenly, I find myself wishing they had a shuttle service that could drive me home. But Garrison Motors is a small family owned repair shop and they don't have the luxury of air-conditioned reception areas or drivers who can drop me off at my apartment. But as much as a shuttle service would have been perfect right about now, I also believe in supporting small businesses just like the Garrison brothers believe in supporting my little flower shop.

I met them three years ago at a business networking event and we hit it off really well. They maintain the vans I use for my shop and my SUV and I provide them with flowers for whatever occasion they need them for.

"So who is this guy? Do I know him?" Logan's expression is serious now as he studies my face.

"No."

"Where'd you meet?"

"Online."

"How?"

"One of those swipe-right things."

"When?"

"A few weeks ago."

"And he already proposed?" Logan looks at me incredulously before stepping from behind the counter to join me on the couch. "I mean, hell, Mariah, I can't blame him for wanting to propose to you so quickly. You're a keeper. But that was a bit too fast, don't you think? When's the wedding?"

I hold up my hand to look at the ring. Why couldn't I have waited to wear it tomorrow? Why wear it now and have nosy Logan Garrison wanting to know more about my sudden engagement?

And why do I suddenly want to tell him about it?

I let out a sigh. Whatever. Logan might as well know. After all, someone has to know I'm heading to the mountains with a total stranger. What if he turns out to be a serial killer and I end up disappearing? What the hell do I know about Cooper Reed?

"Can you keep a secret?"

Logan draws a cross over his chest. "Cross my heart."

"I hired someone to pretend to be my fiancé."

"You what?"

"Just for three days, and then we conveniently break up after."

He stares at me. "You're not kidding."

"No."

He leans back and looks at me incredulously. "You really hired someone to be your fiancé?"

"Pretty much, yeah. I'm picking him up from Sacramento Airport tomorrow. I could have flown but I didn't want to have to rent a car while I was up there."

"Why?" he asks. "I mean, why hire someone?"

"Because my ex-fiancé is spending the holidays next door where he grew up and I don't want him to see that I'm still single two years after we broke up."

Logan shrugs. "So what? You're over this guy, right?"

"Of course, I am!"

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