Chapter 24
Samuel
Tip #24: Bringing food to your fake fiancée is a power move. Sharing your latte? That’s how you win hearts.
I smiled like an idiot as I held open the glass door of city hall for a harried-looking dad wrangling two rambunctious toddlers while wearing a snoozing baby strapped to his chest.
“Thanks, man,” he said as he herded the kids inside.
My grin widened. “No problem.” I was in such a good mood, I probably would’ve offered to babysit if he’d asked. OK, maybe not, but still. I felt on top of the world.
The aroma of my Literum chocolate strawberry latte wafted up as I took a sip, savoring the rich coffee goodness. I shifted the paper takeout bag to my other hand, my steps echoing on the polished marble floor as I made my way through the lobby.
City hall was a testament to small-town pride and questionable budget priorities. Towering Corinthian columns flanked the corridors, their elaborate capitals probably costing more than Nat’s car. Ornate crown molding traced the high ceilings, and I swear I caught a cherub with Grandma Mann’s face winking at me from a gaudy ceiling fresco.
Just as I rounded the corner toward Natalie’s office, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket like an angry hornet. I set my latte and the takeout bag on a nearby wooden bench and fished my phone out of my pocket.
Three texts from Miguel, each progressively more angry than the last.
Miguel
Where ARE you?
Miguel
We have a client meeting in THIRTY MINUTES!
Miguel
IF YOU’RE NOT BACK SOON I’M TELLING YOUR MOTHER!
I snorted. As if my mother would be anything but thrilled. Right on cue, a text from her popped up.
Mother
Is it true?? My workaholic son is taking time off for love?? I’m so proud!! Give Natalie a big kiss!
Her text was accompanied by a glut of emojis to communicate her joy.
Mother had been pestering me for years to find some work-life balance, and now she thought I finally had it. All thanks to this fake engagement with Natalie.
Fake. Right. I pushed away the pang in my chest at that word. I was going to savor every moment of bliss that I could and figure out the details later.
I pocketed my phone, picked up the food and my latte, and headed toward Natalie’s station. Time to see my fiancée.
I approached the administration service window—which separated the public from the employees’ desks like the DMV. I immediately spotted Natalie, her ash-brown, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She was hunched over some paperwork, her brow furrowed in concentration.
She was so cute when she was focused.
“Well, if it isn’t my beautiful bride-to-be.” I leaned against the counter with what I hoped was a roguish grin. “I come bearing gifts of sustenance and caffeine.”
Natalie’s head snapped up, her green eyes widening in surprise before crinkling with a smile that made my heart stop.
“Samuel!” she said. “Hold on, I’ll be right out.”
As she disappeared from the window, a smug grin spread across my face.
She was happy to see me. Really happy. Fake engagement or not, that had to mean something, right?
The door swung open, and there she was again, all long legs and cute girl-next-door charm. “You’re a lifesaver,” Natalie said, reaching for the bag. “I was so grateful when you texted to ask if I needed lunch. Thank you!”
I held the bag just out of reach. “Not so fast, Mann. There’s a delivery fee.”
Natalie playfully scowled. “Oh? And what might that be?”
When I leaned in, her eyes widened in confusion and I seized my chance.
I pressed my lips to hers in a soft, sweet kiss. It was achingly brief, but I savored the warmth of her lips and the momentary sensation that everything was as it should be.
Eventually I pulled back, my heart racing, and hoped she couldn’t tell how much that simple kiss affected me. How much she affected me.
“Payment received,” I said, my voice a bit rougher than I intended. “Your lunch awaits.”
A loud clap echoed through the office, making Natalie jump. Her coworker, a matronly woman with an embroidered vest, was practically pressed against the window.
Natalie’s face turned an adorable shade of crimson. It was a far cry from the fiery glares she used to throw my way when we were at each other’s throats. This embarrassed, flustered Natalie? I could get used to her.
Natalie shook her head at her coworker, then held out her hands and made a grabbing motion. “Food. Please.”
I handed over the paper bag. “Don’t worry, no surprise ring this time. I save those for more public venues.”
She scoffed, but there was something shining in her gorgeous green eyes that I couldn’t quite place. “Thanks again, Samuel. Really.”
The sincerity in her voice hit me like a punch to the gut—I was in deep. This whole fake engagement thing was simultaneously the best and worst idea ever. Best because I got to be close to her like this. Worst because it wasn’t real. Not for her anyway.
“Anything for you, Natalie.” Unable to help myself, I reached out and tucked a stray strand of her wavy hair behind her ear. Her skin was warm beneath my fingertips, and I let my hand linger for a moment. “I’m always happy to see to your every need.”
Natalie’s coworker let out another exuberant round of applause, her clapping echoing through the marble hallway. “You two are just adorable!”
I grinned. “Thank you.” I took a bow, basking in the validation. This, with Natalie, was everything I’d ever wanted.
Natalie made a shooing motion at her coworker. “Ignore her, or we’ll end up with half the office out here gawking at us.”
I waggled my eyebrows. “Would that be so bad?”
She swatted my arm playfully. “Have you eaten? I feel bad keeping you from your lunch.”
“I had a working lunch with Isaac earlier.” I took a casual a sip of my latte and hoped. Come on, Natalie. Take the bait. “But I couldn’t resist stopping by Literum for their limited-time chocolate strawberry latte. Have you tried it?”
Natalie’s eyes lit up. “They brought it back? I love that flavor!”
I knew that, of course. It’s why I’d gotten it in the first place. But I kept my face neutral as I held out the cup. “Yes, it’s back for the rest of the winter season. Want a sip?”
She hesitated for a moment before taking the cup from my hand.
Natalie took a long sip, her eyes fluttering closed in pleasure. “Mmm,” she hummed. “That’s even better than I remembered. Wow, I need to get down there and get one of these, stat.”
I watched her, drinking in the sight of her enjoyment far more than I had the actual latte. “Good?”
She nodded emphatically. “So good. Thanks for sharing.”
I took the cup back and channeled every ounce of charm I had. “Of course. I’m always happy to share an indirect kiss with you, pookie.” I took a deliberate sip from the exact spot her lips had just touched.
Natalie scrunched up her nose, but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You’re such a flirt, sweetie pie.”
I winked. “Only with you, honey cakes.”
Before Natalie could respond, her coworker’s voice rang out from behind the service desk. “Shucks, Natalie, as much as I’m enjoying the performance, you ought to take ten minutes to sit down and eat and flirt with that fiancé of yours.”
Natalie’s eyebrows shot up. “What? But we’re swamped with paperwork. No one’s taking lunch away from their desk today.”
Natalie’s coworker waved her hand dismissively. “We’re not about to keep Fox Creek’s Romeo and Juliet apart. Just eat fast, OK?”
“Thanks,” Natalie said, her brows furrowing into a puzzled V until she turned to me. “There’s some seating in the lobby area. Shall we?”
I offered my hand to Natalie, and to my delight, she took it without hesitation. Her fingers intertwined with mine naturally, as if we’d been doing this for years instead of just a few weeks.
“I’m looking forward to the gala tomorrow night,” Natalie said as we strolled toward the lobby. “I’ve got my makeup all planned out to match my dress.”
“Should I coordinate my tie with your dress? That’s what engaged couples do, right?” I pretended to innocently ask.
Natalie laughed. “Are you actually asking for fashion advice? Between the two of us, you’re the way more fashionable one. I thought you came out of the womb wearing Armani.”
I lifted our joint palms so I could kiss the top of Natalie’s hand. “I’ll have you know I was a Gucci baby, thank you very much.”
Natalie laughed, and satisfaction brewed in my gut. I loved making her laugh. If I could spend the rest of my life doing just that, I’d die a happy man.
Unfortunately, I didn’t think her laughter was a sign she was starting to see me as more than the annoying guy she’d grown up despising.
Maybe more hardcore flirting was in order?
I knew I should suck it up and just tell Natalie I loved her. But every time I thought about confessing, my courage deserted me. What if it ruined all of this? Could she even ever see me in a romantic light?
Natalie and the Mann clan had definitely toned down the town rivalry, and we were absolutely close friends. But I didn’t want to lose these precious moments with her when they were all I’d dreamed about for the past decade.
No, I’d just keep at it and hope that maybe Natalie would catch on.