Page 38 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

“Diane. The one from Christmas last year? I figured I’d give her another chance.”

“Maybe you should try that app, you know, the Love, Austen one,” I say with a grin. “Since you decided to torpedo my account.”

He shakes his head, frowning. “Whatever. I was trying to be you. All uptight and irritated when it comes to women.” He pauses a moment and says, “Then again, having Dani around you has helped a lot. You’re definitely not as defensive as before.”

We get into the limo parked against the curb outside and give the driver directions to Diane’s place.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should.” His gaze gets a far-off look and I wonder what about this situation has him so somber. The man is usually all about the jokes.

“What’s bugging you tonight?” I ask, settling into the seat next to one of the doors.

Jack shakes his head. “Typical stuff. My parents are threatening to cut me off if I don’t ‘get my act together’.” He says the last few words in a high-pitched tone, trying to imitate his mother.

I laugh and nod. “Maybe we should move to another country and become hermits.”

“Nah,” Jack says. “I need people to live. They’re my best source of entertainment.”

We pick up Diane and I want to strangle her within the first five minutes on the drive to Dani’s house. Okay, strangle is a little aggressive, but the high-pitched, nasally voice grates on my nerves and makes me want to jump out the window. Think Janice fromFriends.

“Who are we picking up in this neighborhood?” Diane asks, disgust written all over her face.

“My date,” I say, smiling.

The driver stops outside the house with the yellow door and instead of flamingos all over the yard this time, there are mounds of clipped grass and twigs heaped up.

“They must have some strange neighbors,” I mutter. I knock on the door, trying to breathe out the nerves charging through me.

The door opens and three sets of eyes stare back at me. It’s like they’re fighting for the spot.

“Hey, uh, is Dani here?” And ready? It had been fun to talk to Dani’s roommates the other day, but right now, I just want to get her and start the night.

“Right here,” Dani says, and I think I see a hand waving behind the mini-mob. They part for her and I see her in an elegant deep blue dress we’d bought at the department store on our trip. It fits her well, showing off her curves and extending all the way to the floor. But it’s the light application of a dark pink lipstick that draws me in, making me want to cover them with my own.

I shake my head, knowing I shouldn’t be thinking about that at all, at least not right now. Turning my gaze to focus on her movements as she’s putting in an earring, doesn’t help much, as the color of the dress accentuates her eyes.

“Wow, you look amazing.” I step inside and almost forget we’ve got an audience. If those feelings of attraction had been undecided about Dani before tonight, this sends them over the edge. My crush on my fake girlfriend is on the rise.

Dani looks at me with a quick smile and I see a hint of nerves in her expression. “Thank you. You look hot.” Her eyes nearly dance as she grins at me.

Is she saying that because it’s true for her? Or is that part of the display for her roomies?

She turns to Evie and says, “Did I forget anything?”

Evie steps forward with a clutch that matches the dress, the rim of it encrusted in gems. “Now you’re ready for the ball, Princess Dani.”

The roommates chuckle, but I’m doing everything I can to hold back stepping up to her and kissing her senseless.

Must. Stay. Still.

I hold out my arm for her, and we walk out to the limo. Her roommates continue to chirp behind us, but I’m too wrapped up in her to think about anything else. The wind picks up, carrying with it a hint of perfume, and I like it.

“Do I look that different?” Dani asks, her long eyelashes fluttering a bit.

This is the most anxious I’ve seen her, and I want to reassure her everything is okay.

I shake my head. “No. You’re always beautiful.”

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