Page 4 of The Replacement Fiance

"Yeah, we have the weather channel playing out back and it said something about a storm hitting the East Coast," he says.

I shrug. "Maybe it just wasn't meant to be, who knows? So what if I'm still single two years later? It's not like it's permanent anyway."

"Oh, come on, Mariah. Giving up already? Where's your fighting spirit?" Logan asks, his eyes narrowing. "Do you really want your ex to see that you're still single? Or your former best friend?"

I feel my anger rising. "No."

"I can take Cooper's place if you want."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Logan, I can't let you pretend to be my fiancé. You're my friend."

"So? It's only for a few days, right? We go in, act like we're together and then head back? It's no different to how we are with each other… well, except kissing and all that."

I hold up my hand. "Logan, I can't, all right? But thanks for offering. It was a stupid idea anyway."

"No, it wasn't," he says. "I think it's a great idea, but one you can't pull off alone."

I study his face. "You really are serious about this, aren't you? What would your girlfriend say if she knew you were pretending to be someone else's fiancé?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing? How can that be?"

"Because I'm not seeing anyone right now," he replies.

"What about your Christmas plans? Aren't you spending it–"

"Liam's spending the holidays with Adriana's family while I usually just tag along. But I'm always open to new things." He pauses, his eyes narrowing. "Besides, do you really want your ex and your former friend to see you alone this Christmas?"

"No, of course not!"

"If that's the case, guess I gotta do this."

I frown. "Do what?"

Logan clears his throat, reaching across the counter to hold my hand. "Mariah Peters, will you marry me?"

2

Mariah

I still can't believeit.

How on earth did I just go from hiring an escort to pretend to be my fiancé to agreeing that Logan take his place? I mean, I actually said yes to his fake proposal yesterday and here I am, sitting in the passenger seat of the SUV at six in the morning while Logan sits behind the wheel. We could have taken his truck but my SUV has more room for the presents I brought along with me.

As he checks the traffic reports on his phone, I feel like a heavy burden's been lifted off my shoulders. It hadn't taken me long to think about what he said yesterday at the shop. By eleven, I knew I had to make a decision and I did. After a ten-minute discussion, everything was set—Logan Garrison and I were engaged.

Too bad I haven't heard from Cooper. I've texted him a few times about the change and even called his number but it goes straight to his voicemail. I tell myself his phone must have run out of power or he got my message and figured,okay, cool. I just wish he'd text or call me back. But I also can't help but wonder if he's on a flight headed for Sacramento right now.

"Ready?"

Logan's voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I nod. "I just wish I heard from Cooper. I hope he got my message."

"Didn't you check the flights last night?"

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