Page 58 of Matched with Her Fake Fiance

And there’s nothing better than a great playlist and everyone getting ready. It’s been so long since I’ve had a girl’s night out, okay, well I’ve never really had that. Clay was my weekend. And by the time I realized I missed out on some of the fun friend stuff, I didn’t know where to turn.

And while I won’t see Miles until the game, the pre-event getting ready has been a blast.

“Can you believe we’re going to a playoff game for the Breeze?” Kenzie screams. She’s wearing a Breeze jersey with Carver on the back. She tied it near her waist so it accentuates her figure. Evie and I have chosen jeans and a comfy top. Millie opts for a skirt and t-shirt.

There are curling irons and brushes, cans of hairspray and hair protectant strewn all over the large bathroom counter. Makeup bags are open and we’re just about ready. Millie turns on one of her favorite songs, dancing along to the music. It’s fun to see a different side of her.

The doorbell rings.

“Who’s that?” Evie asks, pausing before wrapping another section of hair around her curling iron.

I shake my head, putting the mascara wand back in the tube. “I’m not sure. I told Miles we’d meet him at the arena.”

I go downstairs with quick steps, my curiosity gaining momentum with each movement. Opening the door, I note a man in a dark suit.

“Miss Dani Higgins?” he says, tipping his hat quickly. He’s an older gentleman, with gray in his sideburns and his mustache, but his smile is bright. “Mr. Clark sent me over to escort you ladies to the game.” I glance behind him to see a black limo.

“He did, did he?” I say, smiling at the idea. No matter the real status of our relationship, the man is good at thinking ahead and taking care of others. And here I am going from never riding in a limo to twice in one week.

“Thank you so much, uh, what’s your name?” The most important piece of advice my father had ever shared with me was that learning people’s names, no matter their situation or status, went a long way.

“Walter Fordham.”

“Well, Walter. I’ll tell my roommates to hurry up and we’ll be out in a few minutes.”

He nods and turns to walk back to the limo while I shut the door. Running up the stairs, I do a little dance.

“Are you having a seizure?” Kenzie asks.

Evie tries to hold back a laugh and says, “I think she’s excited about something.”

“Did your fiancé send you flowers?” Millie asks, turning as she holds up a brush for eye shadow.

“Better. He sent a limo to take us to the game.”

Evie sighs. “That means we won’t have to worry about the heat and the T.”

Kenzie stands up and mimics my movements. “Are you sure the guy doesn’t have siblings? A cousin who happens to be just like him, perhaps?”

The four of us take a few moments to laugh about that. “No, he’s an only child.”

Millie turns and says, “Wait, how did he react to going to family game night then?”

“I think he loved it. He told me he didn’t play many games growing up.” The memories of that night are tender, being able to help him calm down enough to enjoy it. And how can I forget the kiss? I think it’s permanently burned into my brain at this point.

“I think we could all use our own Miles Clark,” Evie says, turning back to her small mirror and applying eyeliner.

Sadness overtakes me as I glance around at my roommates. They’re all fun, beautiful women with varying personalities, and they deserve—we deserve—to find someone who can complement that. Not that having a boyfriend or a husband is absolutely necessary to living a great life, but after watching Rachelle and Landon’s life morph back into the near fairytale love story it was meant to be even after a break, I’d love to have that too someday.

Evie’s admission about turning down a proposal and Kenzie’s story of her ex proposing and then coming back for the ring, saying it was a mistake, makes my heart go out to them. But am I falling into that category?

I glance down at the ring on my finger, wondering what it will be like the day I have to give it back. It’s beautiful, but I’d be okay with a string on my finger as long as Miles, or someone like him is in my life.

I hurry to change in my room, relishing in the quiet there. Even I could use a Miles Clark, one I can be with forever.

If only I hadn’t agreed to play pretend in the first place.

CHAPTER26

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