Fortunately, the first course was brought out.
“Escargot with baguette,” the server announced as the plates were set in front of us. The little snail dishes smelled like garlic, herbs, and butter and sizzled pleasantly.
“And are you excited to have your brother back in Harrogate?” Mrs. Schultz asked Hunter.
I always forgot that my brother could be as charming as my father when he wanted something, and he turned that on Mrs. Schultz.
“They’re my little brothers. I always want them around. Though I’m sure our wonderful deputy mayor is tired of so many Svensson brothers!”
“They breed like rabbits,” Meg said.
“But they’re so cute!” Avery added with a giggle.
“They are attractive!” Mrs. Schultz said.
Hunter gave her a dazzling smile. “More wine?” he offered.
“You should see their little brothers,” Avery said. “They’re so adorable!”
“They are darling before they grow up to be large and annoying,” Meg added, sipping her wine.
“Blade is amazing with them,” Avery said, pulling out her phone. “We should have you over, and you can see them.” She swiped on her screen and handed it to Mrs. Schultz.
“This was a couple nights ago. Weston brought the kids over to surprise Blade at his condo,” Avery gushed. “I just love how close their family is. That’s the main thing that attracted me to Blade. He acts all tough, but he just melts around his family.”
Even I was convinced, and I knew the whole thing was a lie.
“How darling!” Mrs. Schultz exclaimed, showing her husband the video of me roughhousing with my brothers in my condo.
“He’ll make a great father,” Avery continued, “though of course he wants all daughters.” We all laughed, and Avery leaned over to kiss me lightly. “He’ll be a great dad!” She stroked my cheek, smiling up at me.
My heart melted in my chest. All I wanted to do was lean over and kiss her then take her back to my condo and do something else.
This is supposed to be fake, I reminded myself. But a part of me wanted more.
“And if you’re thinking about a family,” Meg said, “Harrogate is the place for it. Our town has some of the best schools in the state. We’re starting an innovative program—led by the Svenssons’ Rural Trust foundation, of course—to provide internships to kids in the schools.”
“How wonderful!” Mr. Schultz said, dabbing his mouth as the servers took away the plates.
“I need to run and freshen up,” Avery said. “Please excuse me.” She ran her fingers through my hair and trailed them over my shoulder as she left.
I felt myself relax. Now that I had let Greg and Hunter in on the secret, I didn’t feel as guilty. We had this contract in the bag. The evening was going well; not only had Avery hit it off with Mrs. Schultz, but the Schultzes really liked us, and they seemed to completely buy that Avery and I were in love. Plus Avery had managed to make the Holbrooks look bad.
The only issue? I was starting to want Avery as more than a fake fiancée.
31
Avery
This evening was going horribly. I couldn’t believe Nathan had weaseled his way into my life yet again! Was Stacy in on it? Maybe she was behind the nasty tabloid articles about me. And then Grant Holbrook saying my father was going to pay for the wedding. As if! Chad never did a thing for me. I tugged at the dress and stared at myself in the mirror.
“We’re only through the first course,” I told myself. “Buckle up.”
As I exited the restroom, there was Nathan. He grabbed me.
“I have pepper spray,” I warned him.
“That’s what I always loved about you,” he said, “your adventurous spirit. It should be you and me sitting there together, not Blade.”
