Page 53 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
I was looking forward to the next few days. Claire and I talked about going back up in my plane to see the sunset. I promised her it was the most beautiful thing she would ever see. Seeing it with her would make it even more special. I had seen a hundred sunsets from the sky, but I was certain seeing one with her would be the best one.
I didn’t want this thing with her to end. The contract would end soon, but I didn’t want it to end completely. I wanted to spend more time with her. I wanted her to want to spend time with me without a stupid contract compelling her to. After the reunion, I was going to talk to her about the way I felt. I was pretty sure she felt the same way and would be on board with us trying out this thing for real. Where it went from there, I couldn’t predict, but I wanted to find out. The things we could do and see together were endless. I could fly her anywhere she wanted to go.
For the first time in my adult life, I wanted to spend time with a woman. Not that I hadn’t spent time with women in the past. This was different. I wanted to share everything with her. That was what was different. I wanted to share my life with her. The other women I had dated were more about going through the motions.
I was traveling down a wild road of fantasies when my phone rang. I frowned when I saw the time. It was kind of early. My people knew I was on vacation. I was happy to answer emails when I could, but I didn’t want to deal with phone calls. If someone was calling, it must be important.
I rolled over and glanced at the screen. “Mom?” I answered. “Is everything okay?”
“Ryan Daniel Jones!”
Oh shit. I was in deep shit. She only used my full name when I was in serious trouble. I was thirty-three and she could still have me shaking in my proverbial boots. “What?” I asked. I sat up, as if that would help me hear better.
“Do you want to explain to me what the hell you’re doing?”
I looked around the room. “Nothing. I’m not doing anything. I’m in bed.”
“Alone?” she snapped.
“Mom, come on,” I groaned. “That’s weird.”
“Is it?” she asked. “Are you and your fiancée not sleeping in the same room while you’re vacationing together?”
“My what?” I asked and rubbed a hand over my face.
“Your fiancée,” she repeated.
“My fiancée.” Then it hit me. Oh shit. “Mom, I can explain.”
“Oh, I hope you can,” she said. “I have so many questions.”
“It’s a long story,” I said.
“Gee, I would hope so,” she said. “I think it would be disturbing if it was a short story. I would have to worry you were being taken advantage of. I would be worried you met a woman and proposed in the same night. You’re not going to tell me that’s what happened, right?”
“No, Mom—”
“Good, who is she?”
“Her name is Claire,” I answered.
“Where did you meet her?” she asked. “When did you ask her to marry you? Why would you propose marriage and never once mention it to us? This is unlike you. I’m surprised you would do something so callous.”
“Callous?” I asked.
“This is one of the most important events in your life, and you didn’t think you should share it with us? You didn’t think we would want to know about something like this? We’ve been asking you for years if there was anyone special. Were you ever going to tell us?”
“Yes, Mom, it’s not like that,” I said.
I heard my dad say something in the background, followed by my sister. I was really in deep shit. I never thought about the news of our engagement getting back to them. It was supposed to be a “what happens on the island” thing. I never expected it to go anywhere.
“I think you owe us all an explanation,” she said. “You’ve really hurt us, Ryan.”
I blew out a breath. “I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s not what you think. I will explain. I’ll be there by lunch.”
“No need to rush home,” she said. “Clearly, you’ve been busy. I would hate to take time away from your fiancée. That’s assuming she’s still there with you.”
“I’ll be home by lunch,” I said. “I’m sorry.”
