Chapter 13
Natalie
Tip #13: Take time to appreciate the perks of fake dating your enemy—like witnessing their family embarrass them.
T he warm glow of the setting sun streamed through the skylights in Fox Creek City Hall, casting long shadows across the polished floor. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was already five, closing time.
As I helped a middle-aged woman register her dog, my eyes wandered to an older man who had entered just moments before. He looked vaguely familiar, with silver hair neatly combed back, gray eyes, and leathery skin with smile lines that hinted at a lifetime of laughter.
“Here’s your dog tag,” I said, handing it over to the woman. “Have a great day!”
“Thank you. You’ve been such a help!” The woman walked away with a smile.
I smiled as the older man approached the front desk, still trying to place him in my mental Rolodex of Fox Creek’s residents. “Good evening. Just to let you know, we will be closing soon, but I’ll try to help you and get you sent off on your way first.”
“Thank you,” the man said. “Could you tell me, are you Natalie Mann?”
“Guilty as charged,” I joked.
“How wonderful. I’m Walter.” He extended his hand over the desk for a firm shake. “I’m here to meet you, actually.”
A flicker of recognition sparked inside me. Walter Warner! I’d seen him at various annual town functions but rarely interacted with him. “You’re Mr. Warner, Sam’s grandfather?”
“Please, call me Walter. Mr. Warner is too formal for my grandson’s girlfriend.” He flashed me a charming grin reminiscent of Samuel’s.
I laughed nervously. “All right, Walter. What can I do for you?”
“Please allow me to take you out to dinner tonight, if you are available. I would love to have a chance to chat with you,” Walter politely said.
I hesitated.
I was pretending to be Samuel’s girlfriend, and any serious girlfriend would agree to meet her boyfriend’s family.
But interacting with one of Sam’s family members without him? This could get interesting.
“Thank you for the invite. I’d love to join you tonight,” I said. “Where would you like to eat? I can meet you there after helping the rest of the staff lock up.”
“I have a reservation at Verona Veranda.” Walter’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “I’ll see you soon, Natalie.”
Half an hour later I left the howling wind outside and walked into Verona Veranda, a local Italian restaurant. The place smelled of garlic and tomato sauce and had me instantly drooling. The cozy atmosphere was accented by dim lighting, rustic wooden tables draped with red checkered tablecloths, and an array of potted ferns that added a touch of greenery.
Pulling out my phone, I quickly sent Samuel a text. (I realized on my way over I should probably give him a heads-up.)
Hey, just so you know, I’m having dinner with your grandfather at Verona Veranda.
With that out of the way, a waitress led me to Walter’s table, where he sat smiling patiently. I noticed that the round table had four chairs, each set with silverware.
I slid into the chair directly across from him so we’d be facing each other. “Hello! I hope you haven’t been waiting too long.”
“Not at all,” Walter said. “I’m excited to get to know you better. I apologize for not being there when Samuel introduced you to the rest of the family. At the time I thought his revelation of having a secret girlfriend was a ploy to get me to attend a family dinner.”
“Ah, family antics. Don’t worry about it,” I said. “But why would you think Samuel was lying about having a girlfriend?”
Walter studied me for a moment, his dark eyes seemingly searching for something within me. Feeling self-conscious, I took a sip of water from the glass already set in front of my spot.
Walter finally answered cryptically, “Samuel has his heart set on what I believed to be an impossible goal.”
My confusion must have shown, because Walter chuckled. Before I could ask what he meant, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from Sam. I hesitated, then apologized to Walter. “I’m so sorry. It’s Sam.”
Walter’s enigmatic smile grew. “Go ahead and read it.”
“Thanks.” I glanced at my cell phone.
Sweetums
Don’t go into the restaurant!
I quickly texted Sam back.
Too late, already inside and talking to Walter.
Sweetums
%$#&@
I stared at his confusing message of symbols. “He must be apoplectic,” I muttered. But why was chatting with Walter such a big deal? Since our phone call while I was waiting for tacos, Samuel had briefed me on how to act around his grandfather.
“He’s upset?” Walter guessed.
“He’s… something,” I said.
“Did he warn you about me?”
“Yes,” I hesitantly said.
Walter’s smile grew slyer. “And you still decided to meet with me?”
“Yes.” I put on my customer service smile and hoped I hadn’t made a big mistake.
“Interesting.” Walter leaned back in his chair.
I gulped as a waiter appeared beside our table. He carried a basket of steaming breadsticks, their aroma making my mouth water. Setting the basket down on the table between us, the waiter retreated just as quickly as he’d arrived.
“Relax, Natalie.” Walter’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Despite any tales Sam might have told you, I promise I’m not some crusty old dragon. In fact, I imagine Sam is racing to the restaurant as we speak.”
Walter’s guess was likely right but not because Samuel was worried about me. More likely because he was a control freak and was worried our farce would come to light. But I couldn’t exactly say that to his grandfather.
“Does it bother you that Samuel and I are dating?” I selected a breadstick and bit into it. It had the perfect balance of crust and soft innards, and the top was dusted with a garlic salt that melted in my mouth.
Walter waved off my concerns with an airy gesture. “Not in the least. I’ve always been a fan of a good Romeo and Juliet remake, and I’m quite happy you’re smart enough to think things over instead of making things dramatic.” He paused, eyeing me thoughtfully. “Tell me, do you happen to enjoy any particular television shows?”
“Comedies mostly,” I said, wondering where this was going.
“That bodes very well for your future,” Walter replied cryptically, his gaze shifting to something behind me.
Twisting in my chair, I spotted Samuel speed walking through the restaurant. His necktie was loosened, his suit coat draped over one arm, and the sleeves of his white button-up were rolled up to his elbows.
“Ah. He must have been very upset,” Walter said. “He looks quite disheveled.”
“That’s disheveled?” I asked indignantly.
It wasn’t fair! Samuel was still so handsome—he might have even looked more handsome than usual, as the tousled look made him more approachable! Why couldn’t perfect Samuel Warner at least turn red or something?
Samuel reached our table, his dark eyes flitting warily between Walter and me. He absently placed his left hand on my shoulder, standing so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body. “Hello, Natalie.” He offered me a smile before frowning at Walter. “Why did you kidnap her, Grandfather? I thought we agreed I would arrange a meeting when our schedules allowed for time?”
“Kidnap?” Walter laughed, shaking his head. “I merely lured her here with the promise of food, which she seems to be pleased with.” He gestured toward the breadsticks I’d been munching on.
“I am very pleased,” I said.
Samuel sighed and took a seat in one of the empty chairs at our round table, although he went through the trouble of scooting his chair closer to mine.
Once settled, he shot an accusing look at his grandfather. “You had a chance to meet Natalie. You chose to pass on it.”
“That’s hardly fair,” Walter countered, his tone light and teasing. “You knew the night Natalie was visiting was the premiere of my favorite detective show. You probably picked that night for that precise reason! And let’s not forget how shady you were about the details of your relationship, making the whole thing rather unbelievable.”
As they bantered back and forth, I marveled at the similarities between the two Warner men. Similar expressions flashed across their faces, and I could clearly see where Sam got his charm from.
There was a sudden warmth around my shoulders as Samuel slid his arm around me, pulling me closer. With an empathetic pat on his thigh, I locked eyes with him and offered a reassuring smile. “It’s OK. I felt the same way when Mom told my grandparents. It’s just because he loves you.”
Samuel’s tense expression softened into a smile. “Sorry for the dramatic entrance, Nat.” Leaning in, he brushed his lips against my cheek once, then twice, in a lingering kiss. I even felt his breath fan some of my curls.
I cleared my throat and forced my voice to be normal—I would hold steady against this onslaught of chemistry!
“You have nothing to apologize for.” I glanced at Walter, who was watching our exchange with an amused smirk.
“Why don’t we look at the menus and order dinner, hmm?” Walter asked.
Samuel started to shake his head, but then my stomach growled.
“Fine.” Samuel leaned back in his chair. “But if Mother gets upset because we didn’t invite her to this little tête-à-tête, I’m throwing you under the bus, Grandfather.”