The heroine is rescued from her average life by the enigmatic billionaire.
The heroine and the hero make a mutually beneficial agreement.
She moves in with the billionaire and is thrust into his life, a world of glitz and glamour so unlike hers.
They kiss! It’s a practice kiss because their arrangement requires a fake relationship but it sends butterflies through the heroine, thoroughly confusing her.
13
GRACE
Friday night arrives too soon, and I find myself stressing in front of the mirror, tugging at my taupe-colored dress and dreading wearing the matching high heels.
I've been able to ignore the fancy wardrobe of fitted dresses and stupidly high heels Vivian left me. But now that I'm about to have my first foray into the Caine family, I need to look the part.
I’ve never felt much pressure to be dressed up and put together. Surely not while growing on the farm, when my father was always covered in dirt and my mother in flour. And not in college when my days were spent in sweats, hidden behind my laptop. Even at Haven, I wasn’t overly concerned with my appearance, other than wanting to meet the minimum requirements.
But right now?
I’m picking myself apart in the mirror, wondering if my hair is smooth enough and if my curls are flowing in that effortless way. I’m fixated on where the dress hits my stomach, hoping my shapewear is smoothing it over. The reflection I’m seeing doesn’t look like me. Normally, I’d be in something simpler, like jeans and a sweatshirt, or better yet, sweatpants. This version is in adesigner dress that shows off more skin than I’m used to and jewelry that shimmers under the lights and wasn’t bought off the clearance rack at Target.
This version is fake. Perfectly crafted to play the part of Asher’s fiancée.
What will happen if I’m not able to keep this charade alive…
The sound of Asher’s fist rapping against my door brings me out of my head. “One sec!” I shout as I flip through the hangers until I find the tan camel coat Vivian left me and toss it over my arm. “Ready!” I swing the door open and step out without paying attention, throwing my body right into Asher’s. If he didn’t immediately wrap his arms around my waist to steady me, I think we’d both be stumbling backwards.
But we’re not.
I grip his arm, gaining my balance as my eyes dart up to his.
“Oops,” I breathe out, unable to read the look on his face. I’m not sure if he’s annoyed with my lack of coordination, especially in these heels, or if he finds it endearing.
“Careful,” he murmurs. His hand is still resting on my waist, the other on my arm, and he’s looking down at me like he sees something I don’t.
“Sorry if I took too long. I was trying to get my makeup right,” I ramble, needing to fill the silence between us.
“It’s perfect.” His voice is low.
I can’t help but sigh. “Oh, okay, thanks.”
