Page 84 of Fauxmance

Yes, I thought. I felt sick the moment we stepped out of the car and the valet took Hayden's keys, leaving us to walk the red carpet—an honest-to-goodness red carpet—leading to the doors of the swanky five-star hotel where a slew of people in gorgeous gowns and suits were streaming in. Even if you weren't a guest, you'd know about the ceremony. You couldn't miss the massive banner announcing:Welcome to The Wedding of Phillipa & Marco.

"Magnolia?"

I met Hayden's concerned stare. "I'm good," I said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah." I forced a laugh. "Didn't realize I said anything out loud. Must be the nerves."

He gave me a half-smile. "I told you. There's nothing to be nervous about."

"Oh sure, I'm just meeting my boyfriend's"—I lowered my voice—"well,fakeboyfriend's parents and his extended family for the first time, all at once. No biggie."

Hayden laughed under his breath.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"You are," he said. "I had to do that, too, remember?"

How could I forget? Hayden having a grand time with my family, the bridesmaids hanging on his every word. But this was different.

"Not the same," I said. "First, Cole's your BFF, so you already knew a few people at the wedding. Second, my family is open and easy-going. They loved you right off the bat."

Hayden shrugged. "Honestly, how could you not?"

Good point, I thought.

But I didn't let his cockiness sidetrack me.

"As you've already made clear, your family isn't like that," I went on. "What if they figure out that we're lying?"

"They won't," he said.

"But what if they do?" I pressed. "I'm a bad liar, Hayden. When I was in kindergarten, I stole a cookie once before dinner—okay it was three!—and when my mom asked me about it, I broke down crying." His lips twitched, but I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "If this goes south, there's no way they'll kick you out. You're a Davenport and the third Bartholomew to boot. No one's going to blame you for this. They'll all blame that poor, unconnected Magnolia girl with the slightly frizzy hair, curvy waist and thick thighs."

Hayden was choking.

I rubbed his back—but smacked it a second later when I realized he was laughing.

"Maggie," he wheezed, "you're hilarious."

"I'm serious," I said.

"I know—which makes it even more hilarious."

When I tried to turn away, he took my chin gently between his fingers and brought my face back to him. I threw him a sour look, but that didn't dim the brightness in Hayden's eyes.

"I'm going to tell you a secret," he said. "The Davenports only care about what they look like. Not you."

I opened my mouth, but Hayden shook his head.

"And your hair's not frizzy. It's perfect."

His eyes moved over my body in a way that made a shiver of pleasure run down my spine.

"I happen to be a fan of your curves," he murmured.

"You are?"

---