Six.
Nick
I stay as close to Joy’s side as my family will allow. She’s swallowed by the arms of every family member who tagged along to watch my proposal today.
Fake proposal, mind you.
I realized about five seconds after Joy started crying how asinine this whole idea of mine is. Rich was right. I should’ve prepared her for what she was walking into.
Until I remember her reaction, and how genuine it was. Her little gasps, her excited—albeit shocked—expression, the way she clutched the bouquet to her chest, to the tears that followed. If I didn’t already know that was a sham proposal, I’d say that went pretty damn well .
Any suspicions my sister had are long gone, Rich is stunned into silence at how smoothly that just went, and Leah is torn with what I’m doing.
My mother pulls Joy in for another lung-crushing hug before holding her at arm’s length and giving her a once-over. “Oh, you’re absolutely gorgeous, dear. My new daughter. Simply perfect, isn’t she, Bruce?”
My father grins. “You said it, sweetheart. Welcome to the family, Joy.”
Joy’s eyes grow suspiciously glossy as she peers up at me beside her. My chest feels tight not knowing if she’s mad or upset or planning to find a lawyer in the next five minutes. I don’t like seeing her cry. I’ve never seen her cry, actually, but I don’t like it.
And I certainly don’t enjoy knowing I’m the reason for it.
My mother starts to scold my father, “Look what you did, Bruce, you made the poor thing cry again.”
Joy waves them off, accepting a tissue my aunt hands her. “No, no. It’s so nice to meet all of you. I just…had a long flight.”
I clear my throat, gently tugging her to me and away from my family. She fits perfectly under my arm, and I can’t deny the spike of pleasure I have when she leans into me.
“All right, all right, let her breathe,” I say, leaning down to lay a kiss on her temple. Overdoing it? Perhaps, but I did tell myself I had to sell this. “How many bags did you bring, babe?”
Her sharp intake of breath is quiet enough I’m confident I’m the only one who hears it. Yet, it makes me nervous all the same. Too much? Should I dial it back? Was it the second kiss or the endearment?
“Oh, um, one, but…it got lost from Dallas to LA.” She looks up at me wearily. “It’s been a rough day,” she confesses.
Before I can respond, my father is taking charge of the situation. Anytime there’s an issue to be solved, he’s the first one in line to fix it. So it’s no surprise he’s already on it. “Don’t worry, dear, we’ll see what we can find out,” he announces, waving for Uncle Al to follow him to the recovery office near baggage.
Tucker and Martina start to clean up the scattered rose petals. “When I proposed to Natalie, we saved the petals and used them on our wedding day at the altar.” She gives me a coy smile. “It’s good luck to save the petals from the most monumental moments in our lives. At least, that’s what my abuela taught me.”
Joy’s smile is infectious. “That’s beautiful.”
“Hold on, honey,” my sister says, adjusting Izzy in her arm with her phone in hand. She gestures between Joy and me. “I got the whole thing on video, but I want a few pictures. Quick. Get together before Tuck gets all the petals.”
I chuckle, watching my nephew’s fast hands while using his shirt as a makeshift basket. “I think it’s a little late for that, Nat.”
She huffs at me. “Do it anyway. You’ll want the extra photos. Trust me.”
Martina snatches Tucker and Joy’s carry-on from the frame. A second later, my mother and Aunt have their phones out as well, aimed at the newly engaged couple— us .
Joy shifts to hug me around my waist, smiling for the camera with her face pressed to the side of my chest. My pulse picks up at the way she’s clinging to me. I grin down at her as I follow her lead, sliding my arm over the small of her back and pressing her deeper against me.
“Aw, that’s cute, Nick,” my sister beams. “Joy, look up at Nick quick.”
Following my sister’s instruction, Joy gazes up at me. Her smile turns into a sweet laugh that has my smile growing. Several pictures are captured before we call it good. The petals are collected as my father and uncle return with bad news about Joy’s luggage still being MIA.
“’Tis the season.” Aunt Sara shakes her head. “Luggage thieves are a real thing, and the busiest time of the year is the easiest target. I’d imagine LA is full of them.”
My family starts a debate if that’s really what happened to the missing luggage or not. I, however, am ready to get the hell out of here, get my assistant alone, and beg her to stay through the week.
I glance at Joy’s small carry-on. “We’ll stop to grab a few things before heading to the house.”
My father nods sternly, laying a firm hand on my shoulder. “Absolutely, son. The women in our lives always come first, am I right?” He winks.
My mother squeezes in, giving myself and Joy a hug. “We’ll see you soon, dears. Love you both! ”
The group shuffles toward the exit. I gently urge my fiancée to follow, but she seems rooted in place, her eyes glossy…again. I set my jaw, needing to contain my impatience. “Let’s go.”
Her shallow nod seems to release her legs at my nudge, guiding her forward. When we get to the door, though, I catch the strong shiver she lets out before hugging herself.
Right. LA to North Tree.
I take off my coat. “Here. Put this on.”
She mutely slips her arms in. I help her zip it and tug the hood over her head. I pull my hat on and grab her carry-on while keeping a hand on her lower back to guide her to the car. It’s not another few minutes before we’re finally alone and I’m cranking up the heat for us both.
I wait a beat to see if she’ll say something first, but she just stares ahead at my parents loading in their truck with Tucker.
Where do I start? “I need you to stay with me throughout the week as my fiancée.” There, that about sums it up.
She glances at me out of the corner of her eye, her makeup lightly smeared. “You need me to stay. Are you asking me or telling me, Mr. Davis?”
I fight back a wince at her tone. I’m getting the sense reality is sinking in for her and she may be a little…frustrated with me. Yeah, frustrated, we’ll go with that . “Uh, both?”
Her snort of laughter is sarcastic. She drags a hand down the side of her face. “How about you tell me what’s going on, Nick ? Then I’ll decide if I shouldn’t run back into that airport and wait for the next available flight to Dallas.”
“You’d be waiting until tomorrow night if you did,” I grumble.
The look she gives me is incredulous.
I sigh, rubbing my bristled chin. “My father’s always been a big family man—family comes first, and all that. My Uncle Steve was, too. They started Davis Sporting Goods together back in the 80s. Four years ago, my uncle died in a car accident.” I pause, shaking my head. “They always said DSG would be run by family and family alone, but my uncle had no biological children that my father was aware of, so the business fell to myself and my sister. Natalie was more interested in law school, so the family business fell on me.”
“And Mr. Hanes—Rich, is your…cousin?”
“My mother’s nephew.” I nod. “Anyway, about two years ago, Eric Davis showed up. The long-lost bastard son of my late uncle. It was a shock to the family, to say the least. I mean, he just appeared out of thin air, demanding he get his cut of his late father’s legacy—out of Davis Sporting Goods.”
Joy’s brow furrows, tipping her head. “That’s a little…odd.”
I throw my hands in the air. “Exactly. Why my parents can’t see that, is beyond me. They welcomed him with open arms. It’s been a battle trying to get him to do anything related to actually working for the company. All he wants is money . He’s a snake, Joy, and he’s taken too much from this family already. I won’t allow him to take what’s rightfully mine. I won’t. ”
She nods slowly, processing my outburst for all it’s worth.
I stare at the ring on her finger and my chest tightens. “That ring was my great grandmother’s,” I say as she follows my line of sight. “My father always told me he wanted the ring to be handed down to the Davis son who found love first. To continue the tradition started with my great grandfather. At the time, my uncle had no sons, so the ring was going to be mine no matter what.”
“He wanted the ring?” she asks, putting the pieces together.
“When I got here this morning, I found him in my father’s office, asking for the ring for a proposal he never intends on making. I couldn’t let him take the ring, Joy. I knew if he got his grimy hands on it, not only would I never see it again, but it wouldn’t stay in the family like my father wishes.” I sigh, fighting the words out, “I did the only thing I could think of… I told my father that I needed the ring because I intended to propose today as a surprise for them and…you.”
“ Me? ”
“You’re the only one I could think of at the time.” I don’t mention how, looking back, I wouldn’t choose anyone other than her. For this, that is.
The deep intake of breath she makes has my nerves breaking. I need her to go along with this. I need it. My family needs it. This has to work. At least for the week. “You’ll be compensated for your time however you see fit,” I say. “Within reason, of course.”
She raises a brow. “You want to pay me to lie to your family? ”
“Yes.” To put it simply. “Rich is already drawing up something for you to sign. I can make a partial transfer by tomorrow morning into your account.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not a good liar, Mr. Davis.”
“Nick,” I correct her. “And that’s fine. You don’t have to lie…directly. I just need you to play my fiancée and stay at my parents’ house for the rest of the week.”
Her head falls back against the headrest, and she slips down into the extra depths of my oversized coat wrapped around her. Her brows are knitted together as she gnaws on her lush lower lip before her gaze drifts to me.
She’s going to say no. I can feel it.
“My father is sick, as I’m sure you noticed,” I say, playing the only card I have left. And a solid, pity card it is. “Pancreatic cancer, stage four. The doctors gave him a year to live.” I swallow hard remembering the pain I felt when I first heard the news. “That was six months ago. He’s responded well enough to treatment to buy him some time, but that doesn’t mean this won’t be his last Christmas with us.”
Her expression softens. “I’m so sorry.”
I rub the back of my neck. “It’s been a lot,” I confess. “I’m sorry I dragged you here, Joy. I wasn’t thinking straight earlier. I understand if you can’t stay.” It’s true, now that I say it. There’s been too much clouding my judgment lately. I’ve taken it out on the people closest to me and I’m suddenly ashamed I even thought up this ridiculous master plan to save my grandmother’s ring .
The silence between us is long and heavy as I wait for her decision. I half expect her to demand I book her a hotel and flight back to Dallas before we leave this parking lot.
Sitting up, she turns to me. “I’ll stay.”
My heart leaps in my chest. I straighten, fighting down a grin as I tug my phone from my pocket. “I’ll call Rich right now and—”
She puts her hand up, stopping me short. “I don’t want your money.”
My brow furrows. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to think this is part of your job. I realize I’m keeping you from spending time with your family for Christmas.”
She winces at my words. It’s subtle, but it’s there. “I’m sure,” she says, adding with a glance outside, “Although, I could use a winter coat and pair of boots if I’ll be staying for the week.”
I grin despite myself, pulling the car out of park. “I know just the place.”