Page 83 of Fauxmance

She pinched my arm, and I jumped. "Don't be like that, Magnolia. You know I can't help but notice the fit of a good suit. I'm a seamstress—not to mention old enough to be his mother. I wasn't checking out your date."

I rubbed my arm. "Okay, okay, no need to get violent."

"Though everyone else was definitely checking him out," she added.

"Mom!"

Laughing, she shook her head. "Anyway, I liked him. He was charming, funny, comfortable in his own skin. And the way you two danced." She fanned her face. "You burned up the dance floor."

I waved her off.

"No really, pretty sure I saw scorch marks."

"Whatever."

"Thought I might have to grab a fire extinguisher."

My laugh couldn't be contained, and Mom smiled.

"Hayden was polite, too, but not in a fake way. He seemed very sincere in his intentions toward you." I nearly swallowed my tongue at that, wondering what she'd say if she knew the truth. "You want to go tomorrow, right?"

"Yes," I said.

"So, what's the problem?"

Well Mom, the problem is Hayden's only taking me to the wedding to convince his grandmother we're a couple to prove he's changed his playboy ways. And I'm going because…I want to spend more time with him. Because I like him too much. Because even though it's fake, I can't get enough of his kisses. Sad, huh?

Knowing I couldn't say any of that, I threw up my hands. "I don't even know what to wear."

"Is that all?" Mom said, standing and pulling me up from the couch. "You have a ton of choices. I've seen your closet, helped fill it, too, if you want to get technical."

"But Mom, this a Davenport wedding," I said. "From what Hayden says, his family is very hoity-toity."

She shook her head.

"No really. They sound snobby and judge-y, and I'm nervous. I don't really care what people think. I can't help being me. But in this case, I'm not sure that's a good thing. I want to make a good impression on Hayden's family, and—"

Mom shot me a look, and my words trailed off.

"Trust me, sweetheart," she said. "I work with the rich, and they're easy. People like that want what we have. Wedon'tcare about status. We'renotruled by money, and that is our superpower. You're going to blow them away simply by being you."

She patted my cheek.

"Plus when I'm through, you're going to look like a million bucks. No worries."

"No worries," I repeated.

Mom was right, I thought. The Davenports were just people. This wedding was going to be wonderful, and I was going with Hayden. There was nothing to fear.

I could do this.

I could totally do this.

CHAPTER 16

"I don't think I can do this," I whispered.

Hayden stopped and looked to me in concern. "What's up? Are you feeling sick?"

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