THE RELUCTANT FIANCEE HOAX

never been

een and told her best friend she totally wasn't crushing on Ethan Montgomery. And definitely not now, stand

. Maybe because it wasn't just a piece of jewelry-

se, looked com

ll so effortless for him. Meanwhile, Olivia was trying not to overthink the fact that his pa

as a m

't have agr

oo late to b

r spiral of thoughts. "Now that we've made it official, we'

itement went th

stomach

agemen

smiling through cle

too pleased with himself. "We

eth

unwanted warmth t

e tightened her grip on his hand and leaned in, whispering

d. "Call i

a glare. "Cal

vy-blue suit stepped forward, beaming. Olivia recognized her-Reb

lly. Then she turned to Olivia. "And you! What a surpri

smile s

ly, shooting Olivia a look that said play along. "After la

e. And that proposal-so romantic. Even

he ground to sw

ita

ay of saying pu

ance, but she could still feel the

he ring on Olivia's finger. "

d a laugh. "

ed. "Glad y

, I can't wait for the party tonig

fiber of her being scr

tened ever so slightly, a silent

ng the sinking feeling in her

It's about time we got to

atory smile, she walked

, her voice low. "Y

d. "Oh, sweetheart,

-

gageme

nue wa

gr

g chandelier of the Montgomery To

ent, with champagne fountains, a live band, and waiters

arranged all

t. The moment they walked through

ays, handled

uiding her through the crowd with practiced ease.

s, socialites. Each time, Ethan introduced her as his fiancée, and each

Mr. Donovan himself that Ol

n his late sixties, sharp-eyed and calculating. The k

irmly. "Mr. Donovan. G

ach his eyes. "I wouldn't miss it. Esp

a sti

linch. "I can assure you, ever

lickered to Oliv

llowed. Ac

oss her lips. Then, before she could overthink it, s

aid, letting just the right amou

h his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a

ght," he

ed them for a

short nod. "Good. That'

ath she hadn't reali

ed, just for a second, as i

is champagne. "I'll see

ving Olivia and Ethan standing

wering her voice. "Th

d. "You hand

. "I'm getting really go

tened slightly. "I

eath c

ld respond, a voic

th

urned-only

ie Ha

an'

ing-and currently staring at Oli

ng her head. "I didn't think you

stomach

ng this night w