Page 6 of The Fake Fiance's Billionaire Adversary
“That’s reasonable. Don’t want to overwhelm her in the middle of an airport. Tell her we’re thrilled she’s coming. I simply can’t wait to meet her.”
“I’ll tell her.”
“Okay, I’ll stop running your ear off. Get some rest.”
“I will, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you too, Hunter.”
He ended the call and leaned his head on the steering wheel. Then he remembered where he was. There was no telling what Reagan could be thinking if she’d been watching him drive away, only to see him stop at the end. Knowing her, he was plotting to steal her beachfront.
What had he been thinking? A fiancée? This was totally different than stealing cookies and swearing that Cookie Monster did it. This was a whole person he had to produce out of thin air.
“I am an idiot,” he said aloud.
There were zero prospects. The little bit he’d dated didn’t give him many options. Most wouldn’t even consider pretending to be his significant other. He certainly couldn’t rope anyone in Caprock Canyon into doing it. His mother knew everyone, and there was no way they’d have kept it from her.
Just as he lifted his head, the answer hit him. Reagan. The porch light was still on and so was the light in the office. What would she think of him asking her to be his pretend fiancée? Especially after he’d ticked her off. Not only was he a jerk, but he was certifiable too.
More than likely, she’d send him packing, which meant…there was nothing to lose but his pride. Yeah, he was especially eager to stay off those dating websites his sister threatened to put him on, but it was more than that. He didn’t want to seem like a failure in the one area of life that mattered. Home and family. More than anything, he wanted his family to be proud of him. He wanted that above all. Even if it meant losing the chance to buy the property of his dreams.
Chapter 4
Three times.Three timesReagan had checked her front driveway to find Hunter’s truck still parked there. He’d said he’d wait her out, but this wasn’t what she’d pictured. What was he going to do? Sleep in his truck? She sighed. Her heart was still in the fight, but her body and soul were tired. Giving up was the last thing she wanted to do, but what else was there?
Again, she checked his truck, and he was gone. Then a knock came from the back door. Surely he wasn’t up for another round of arguing. She trudged to the back screen door and stopped.
“Hey.” He looked about as thrilled to see her as she was him.
“Hunter, it’s late. I’m tired, and I have to be up early to cook breakfast. If this is you looking for round two, I’m gonna have to pass.”
His shoulders slumped a little. “Well, I’ve found myself in a pretty deep hole, and I’m hoping you’ll help me climb out.”
Reagan regarded him a minute. “Why would I do that?”
He took a long, deep breath, and as he exhaled, she saw in him the same bone-deep weariness she was feeling. Stuffing his hands in his jean pockets, he asked, “Can I come in? Please?”
Despite wanting to shut the door in his face, she found herself more interested in what he could possibly want to talk about. She pushed the door open. “Come on.”
He stepped inside, staying close to the door. Whatever had happened between the last time she’d spoken to him and now, it had sucked a little bit of his fight out. Tired lines creased around his eyes and lips. She almost found herself wanting to comfort him, but he was the enemy. Letting down her guard would only give him the ammunition he needed to take her home and business away.
“I really don’t want to fight with you,” he said softly.
“Then stop…stop hounding me.” If she could see he was tired, surely he could see the same in her. Couldn’t he offer just a smidge of mercy just once? She didn’t have the energy to fight a war on two fronts: him and the bank.
He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not the enemy. I don’t want to see someone buy it and tear it down.”
Leaning her hip on the countertop next to the fridge, she crossed her arms over her chest and her feet at the ankles. “You really think you’re the answer to what this place needs?”
“Structurally, the place is sound, but it does need a lot of work. The porch has several boards that need to be replaced. It needs to be painted…” He stopped short and closed his eyes. “That’s not why I’m here, though.” His chest heaved as he inhaled deeply.
“Sure sounds like it,” she snapped. “Is this just another one of your ways to gain my trust because Idon’ttrust you?” It was just like rich people to work the sad eyes, make you think they cared, and,wham, you’re shoved out onto the street.
“No, I’m tired and out of tactics. If I had a white flag, I’d be waving it.”
She scoffed. “Then what do you want from me?
“I have…I have a proposition for you. One that will get both of us out of a bind.” The swagger he’d walked in with earlier was gone. Either she was letting him get to her or maybe he was backing up. She’d even say he looked a little defeated.
