THE RELUCTANT FIANCEE HOAX

promptu office announcement, and a full-fledged engagement party filled with high society el

the fa

ield. His parents, William and Eleanor Montgomery, were sharp, intimidating, and had no patience for anything less than perf

y last night, his mother had called, insisting on a celebrator

led to

ry estate, followed by an even

sn't sure whi

car, gripping the leather armrest as he pulled up t

ite mansion with pristine gardens and towering columns that looked m

at her, sensing her

ook. "Do I have

eing interrogated by a woman who once

. "Your mother

rifies e

about to have

tion and unbuckled his seatbelt. "If you can surv

ghed. "Co

en her door, offering her a hand. She hesitated only

e front doors, she took a deep breath and slipped her hand i

eminded herself. I

-

th the M

ry was the defin

as the butler poured fresh wine into her glass. "Ethan," she said s

ling out a chair for Olivia

g than his wife, but no less shrewd. His focus was always business first, and Olivia

ment came as quite the surprise. And yet, after last night's ev

ly choked o

merely smirked. "We like

between them, sharp and asse

xt course-some sort of delicately plated seafood di

trust the engagement won't in

relaxed. "On the contrary. Mr. Donovan se

od. As long as you don't let persona

elf to smile sweetly. "Don't worry, Mr.

r of her mouth twitching upward. "Yo

t a com

er full attention on her. "Tell me, dear, how exactly did Ethan propose?

s mind

adn't discus

to the vineyard upstate," he said, reaching over to take Olivia's h

eart nearl

t t

wee

g for him. The way he had looked at her over the candlelit

at was t

ack into the moment. "She said yes immediatel

hoping no one noticed

a moment longer before

ctually bought it, but at least s

r

-

h the Reyn

n stiff and formal, the Reynolds

lled with warmth, laughter, and

oliteness, Olivia's mother, Margaret Reynolds, practically

to each other!" she gushed, pulling Olivia back to insp

and on Olivia's back. "Glad

than a long, scrutinizing look. "So, you finall

heeks burn

d solemnly. "It took me lon

ed a hand. "Well, you know what

s hand firmly.

relieved the t

(too soon), her younger brother Jake making sarcastic comments (as expected),

hat was d

was a

f forget that... she

ai