Page 17 of Maid For Each Other

The only upside of this going terribly wrong was that I could use the material.

I let my eyes wander over every inch of the car’s interior, committing to memory the huge navigational screen, shiny black-metal accents, and the way the buttery-soft leather seat felt under my legs.

When his call didn’t appear to be wrapping up anytime soon, I pulled out my phone and started putting details in the Notes app, just to ensure I didn’t forget.

When he finally stopped the car in front of the downtown restaurant, I was instantly nervous. Yes, this didn’t really matter inthe overall scheme of things, but my stomach felt queasy as I looked at the impressive building.

And it got worse when Declan stepped out of the car and handed the valet his keys with the phone still attached to his ear.

Are we seriously not going to have time to share notes before the test?

I reached for my door handle, but Declan was already on my side of the car, pulling the door open. I looked up into green eyes that were a little intimidating as they focused on me, and all I could do was take his extended hand and get out of the vehicle.

But as soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk, five warm fingers slid between mine and it did something to my stomach. I swallowed as butterflies went wild, which was ridiculous when (a) he didn’t even like me, (b) the hand-holding was all part of the fake dating scheme, and (c) he was still on a damn work call.

It was just so strange to be holding his hand, though.

“Declan,” I whispered as he led me into the building. Palate was dark, with a huge bar just to the right of the entrance, and it was daunting in its quiet elegance. “Don’t you think we should quickly go over—”

“Abi!”

My head whipped around, and the couple from this morning—Declan’s parents, apparently—were walking toward us with big smiles on their faces.

Christ, had they been sitting by the door, waiting for us? It was too soon; I wasn’t ready!

His mother was wearing a burgundy dress that looked like it was created for her slim figure, and his dad was wearing a gray suit with a burgundy pocket square that matched her dress perfectly.They were ridiculously stylish in a way that only moneyed people could pull off, and I felt like a total commoner in their wake.

“Hi,” I said, glad to hear Declan say “We just got here” into his phone. Hopefully that meant he was about to hang up. “Nice to see you again.”

“You, too,” his mother said, grinning and pulling me in for a hug.

I was not the biggest hugger, but I did my best as I dropped Declan’s hand, giving her back an awkward pat, instantly relieved when she released me.

His dad tilted his head toward Declan’s phone and asked me, “Is that Warren?”

“Yes,” I replied, hoping he didn’t require any further intel because I didn’t know what or who a “Warren” actually was.

“Well, this could be a minute, then,” he said with a boyish twinkle in green eyes that matched Declan’s, “so you should come with us and get a glass of wine while he finishes up.”

“Well, I-I don’t know if Dex wants anything,” I stammered, trying to give Declanget off the phoneeyes without his parents noticing. “So I can just wait for him.”

Declan looked at me, but I could tell he was concentrating on the call and barely noticed my situation.

“No, you cannot,” his mom said, linking her arm with mine. “We will take you to the bar, and Dexxie can join us when he finishes.”

I wanted to screamAmber Alert!as his parents led me away. Not only did Inotwant to go mingle with socialite strangers, but I knew nothing about what I was supposed to do or say toanyone, so this wasn’t going to be good.

“I’m actually glad he’s tied up,” his mom said with a smile, “because it gives me a chance to get to know you without him butting in. I want to hearyourside of how you two ended up together, with all the sweet stuff that he’d never share.”

And as she gave me just thenicestgrin, I couldn’t help but grin back.

Because this?

This might be fun.

His mother was giving me a golden opportunity to share some anecdotal gems about the jackass who couldn’t be bothered to get off the phone and take care of his fake girlfriend.

“Okay,” I said, my brain exploding with ideas. “But you have to tellmewhathe’sshared first.”

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