Page 79 of The Fine Art of Faking It
“Mornin’, Eden,” Liz Berkowicz, the face of Every Bloomin’ Thing, poked her head over a massive bouquet of pretty fall flowers. Oranges and purples and reds as deep as blood. “Got a delivery for you.”
“Wow,” Eden said, taking the flowers out of Liz’s hands and putting them on the front desk counter. “Stunning as usual. Who’s the lucky recipient?”
Liz gave her a funny “duh” look. “One Eden Moody according to the card.”
“Me?”
“Looks like you made quite the impression last night.”
Eden grabbed the card.
For a night fifteen years in the making.
Davis
Eden’s heart did that funny flip-flop thing again in her chest. But she shook it off. This wasn’t real. This was part of the plan. She reminded herself. It was a smart move on his part. Everyone would be talking about the bouquet, the note. This fitthe plan.
“Thanks, Liz,” Eden said. She didn’t have to work hard to paste a lovesick smile on her face.
“Sounds like you’ve got quite the admirer,” Liz pressed, fishing for details.
“The feeling is… mutual,” she choked out.
“Well, have fun admiring each other,” Liz said, giving her a slow wink. She walked out whistling, leaving Eden staring at the flowers.
“Well, well, well. Someone was a good girl,” Layla said strolling out of the dining room with Sammy on her heels.
“Holy hell,” Sammy said. “Where can I get a fake boyfriend who’ll give me real orgasms and flowers?”
30
He hoped the flowers weren’t too much. He’d gotten carried away, riding the high of last night. Any doubts and concerns he’d had over whether Eden had feelings for him had been erased. No one could fake that kind of connection. Not even Eden Moody.
Davis whistled his way into the belly of the winery. Stainless steel tanks lined the walls, filled with the winery’s future. Primary fermentation was over, and now the new wine was settling, transforming into something else. New beginnings. And weren’t there a lot of those going around?
Chewy danced at his heels. The dog had made himself a mascot of sorts at the winery. Visitors loved him. And he loved their affection… and the dog bed Davis had installed in his office. Vader joined them some mornings. But spent most days at the inn.
Davis felt like Chewy’s seal of approval carried weight with Eden. And he was willing to take all the help he could get to win her over. Not just temporarily. Last night had clinched it. He was going to make Eden Moody his. Parents and pasts be damned.
He’d dated women, had sex with several of them, and even lusted after a few of them. But nothing had prepared him for Eden naked and willing and demanding. He recalled enough of his high school poetry classes to realize the course of his life had changed last night. And while it would be a rocky transition, he was willing to do what it took to make her his. Even if it meant disappointing his family.
He just had to make sure no one told his father yet. Not until he found the right way to break the news.
“Gates!” He found Eden striding toward him. Her gray wool coat was open to reveal a ruby red sweater that hugged her lean torso and slim fitting pants. Her short hair framed her face in dark curls. Her lips were painted red and currently curved in a frown.
She was magnificent.
And she gave him the unshakable feeling that he was watching his future storm toward him.
The fluffy Vader trotting over to him for a quick pat before teasing her brother into a romp through the tanks.
She stopped abruptly in front of him just inches away from touching him. “About the flowers.”
“You got them.”
“They’re stunning,” she said, her tone softening a degree. “But I don’t want you to think that we’re going to repeat last night. This is a fake relationship.”
She paused to peer over her shoulder to make sure there weren’t any eavesdroppers present.
