Still, he kept on. “If it were up to me, we’d be off to Vegas. But I know you want something big, and anything my snookums wants, my snookums gets.” He accentuated his speech with a hand patting her cheek gently.
This fake engagement could be really fun.
And given the kiss earlier in the day on the way to the airport, dangerous as well. He’d forgotten her effect on him.
Physical, he reminded himself. It was all a purely physical attraction, nothing more. Any man would be attracted to a beautiful woman like Hanna. Blond, petite, perfect curves, a bit of an attitude but sweet. Not to mention her amazing, kissable, pink lips.
He had to get his mind off those lips.
A sharp pain in his ankle accomplished that. “Did you just kick—”
Hanna snuggled up to his side and patted a hand against his chest, cutting off his words. “Oh lover bug, I’m so happy you’ve agreed to a big wedding. I can see it now. Fountains and ice sculptures and diamonds and flowers galore. And the biggest, fanciest, most expensive wedding dress we can find. That’s what I want us to do first when we get to Nashville. Dress shop!”
Will clenched his jaw. They had interviews to do. He had work to do. Shopping did not factor into this equation. “Remember, dear, I do need to get back to work. And we have a few appointments to schedule, too. We probably want to figure out a date and a place before we do much shopping.”
Hanna laughed so loud a businessman on the other side of the aisle glared at them and cleared his throat. “Oh, darling, surely you know that a wedding dress is the single most important purchase a girl makes. I want to look like a princess for you, and what better way than to shop together. I’m not one of those girls who are superstitious about the groom seeing the dress before the wedding. Your opinion matters to me.”
The evil woman beside him obviously recalled the conversation they’d had on camera during one of his dates about his hatred for shopping of any kind and his penchant for online purchases to get out of the mundane task.
Two could play at that game. “Whatever you want, dear. Your wish is my command. Oh, I forgot to mention, I’ve made reservations for dinner tomorrow night. I hope you don’t mind.”
She flashed a genuine-looking smile his way. “Not at all. Where to?”
“Oh, just a Thai place downtown. I remembered how you said that you’ve grown to love Asian food lately. Amazing how taste buds change.”
If he wasn’t mistaken, her cheeks flushed a strange hue of green. “But I don’t like—”
He squeezed her closer to him. “To spend too much money on food. I know, love, but you’re worth every cent.”
Will sucked in a breath as an elbow caught him in the side. He’d need to ice his bruises when he got home.
Hanna leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. “I’m glad you feel that way. Because even more important than dress shopping is ring shopping. I totally love that you didn’t give me one yet so we could pick out the perfect cut together. In fact, we should do that the moment we land in Nashville. I don’t want to go another minute without your love displayed on my finger.” She popped open an eyelid and raised her eyebrow. “I’m thinking, what, two karats at the least?”
Will groaned and closed his eyes as well. At the rate this was going, he wouldn’t have two pennies to rub together when she was through with him.
But he’d have a job, so he could always make more. That’s what mattered in the long run.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I think that one is pretty, don’t you?” Hanna bit the side of her cheek to keep from laughing as she pointed at the gaudy princess cut diamond solitaire that had to be over three karats, not including the smaller diamonds that lined the white gold engagement and wedding band.
Will squirmed at her side. “It’s…interesting. Maybe we shouldn’t decide on one today, though. Don’t you think we should look a few different places? Make sure you’re getting the perfect one?”
She knew he was only speaking with her in such a forced, patient tone because he’d seen the sales associates whisper excitedly as they entered the shop. The price of that monstrosity of a wedding band was the only thing that would make him suggest more shopping, too.
At least they’d had a moment on the drive from the airport to discuss the matter in private. As much as it pained his wallet, an engagement ring was a necessity if they wanted to look official. And unless he wanted to look cheap, he would need to pony up some cash for a decent one at that.
They’d driven directly to the jewelry store, wanting to get her finger blinged-up before too many more pictures were taken.
The saleswoman pulled the ring dripping with dollar signs out of the display case. “This is a beautiful and rare piece, Miss—” She raised her eyebrows as if to verify her last name.
Hanna was sure she already knew. “Knight. But please, call me Hanna.”
The older woman—midforties maybe, dressed in a manicured suit—looked out of place with the giddy laugh that came over her. Whether it was because of who her customer was or at the thought of making such a high sale, Hanna wasn’t sure. “Yes, yes of course. Hanna. Would you like to try it on?”
Hanna took the ring, made a display of examining it closely, then slipped it on her finger. The rock was so heavy she was afraid her finger would bruise, so she took it back off and held it up to the light. “It’s stunning. Not that it matters, because Will’s already told me I could get whatever I choose, but what is the price of this one?”
“Well, it’s a great deal, as we have a sale going on today. And let me tell you, this particular piece is fourteen karat white gold with a princess cut diamond solitaire. It has a D for color and a VS2 for clarity. A fabulous choice.”
Will cleared his throat. “And the price?”
The woman, a Mrs. Bellman according to her name tag, fidgeted with the ring holder in her hand. “It is also over four karats in the solitaire. You’ll be the envy of all the other wives.”
Hanna twirled the ring around. There would be no envious wives. Because she wouldn’t be a wife anytime soon. If ever. She forced cheer she didn’t feel into the smile on her face. “I’m sure I will. And the price?”
Mrs. Bellman’s throat dipped in a swallow. “It’s regularly $145,000, but we have 10 percent off today only, so you’d get it for a steal at only $130,500. Actually, I’ll make an executive decision and let it out the door for $130,000 flat. Can’t beat that!”
Hanna sucked in a breath as she tried to wrap her brain around the obscene number. She was holding $130,000 in her hand.
Forcing her fingers not to shake, she placed the ring on the counter, but her fingers fumbled. Six-figures of diamond spiraled downward and hit the carpet then rolled under the counter.
Hanna screamed.
Mrs. Bellman shrieked.
Will pulled Hanna back and dropped to his knees as if he were called on to do CPR to save someone’s life. A second later, he yelled, “Got it!”
To Hanna, he might as well have said, “I found a pulse!”
He righted himself and placed the ring back on the glass counter. “No harm done.”
She looked at Will and noted his face was void of color. She probably looked no better. “I think we’ll choose something different. Maybe less—scary.”
Mrs. Bellman looked crestfallen as Hanna walked farther down the counter to the less auspicious selection.
Time to get serious and get out of here. But how did one pick a pretend engagement ring? She’d had one already, the one Will had presented her at the end of The Price of Love. It had been nice but not what she would have picked herself.
She’d mailed it back to the producers without blinking an eye the day after her humiliation aired.
Now she’d accept another temporary engagement ring. She wanted to choose the ugliest dumpy one they had to match the aching of her heart, but she and Will did have an image to create.
She walked down the ring case, her hand trailing on the smooth g
lass, not really looking.
A sparkle caught her eye, and she gasped.
Will caught up with her and put a hand on her waist. Oddly, the warmth and possessiveness of it calmed her. “Do you see something you like?”
Hanna blinked away tears. There, in the case, was a ring that looked exactly like her mother’s. The one she’d slipped into the casket at the funeral three years ago at the insistence of her father.
Mom had been adamant during those last days when the cancer began to win that they not bury her with it. She was convinced the funeral home or grave diggers would steal it.
But Dad insisted it was not her but the cancer talking and had given it to Hanna right before they closed the casket, and asked her to slip it into Kathy’s hand, out of sight from everyone. She was still his wife, he’d told her later, and even though her body was empty, it made him feel better that she was buried clasping the symbol of their love.
Hanna had understood, but she privately mourned not being able to keep it for sentimental value. She’d always loved Mom’s ring. It was simple yet sweet. The solitaire was round and small, but the band was curved on both sides, lined with tiny diamonds. Mom had told her only the round diamond was real, but it didn’t matter. The ring was beautiful.
The ring before her was so similar, Hanna wondered if someone had dug up the grave and stolen it after all. She pointed to it for the saleswoman. “That one right there, in the middle. May I see it?”
The woman frowned. “Of course, but there are so many with better clarity and color you may want to view. In fact, we could have this one set with a larger—”
Hanna shook her head. “Just let me see that one, please.”
Mrs. Bellman unlocked the cabinet and pulled out the case the ring rested in then handed it over without saying a word.
Up close, Hanna could see a few differences. The diamonds on the band were definitely real instead of the dingy look that Mom’s had taken over the years. And the diamond in the middle was definitely bigger.
She slipped it on her finger.
An unbelievable perfect fit. “How many karats?”
The reply was one of dejected sales loss. “One-half.”
“And how much does this one cost?”
“Well, only the rings over ten thousand are on sale.”
Will took the ring from her and looked at it closely, as well, then lifted an eye to the woman and spoke in a firm tone that demanded no argument. “How much?”
The woman lifted her chin in defiance. “Six thousand.”
He handed it back to her and pulled out his wallet. “We’ll take it for five. And just wrap up the box. My bride will wear it as we leave.”
Will pressed the IGNITION button on his Audi. All he wanted was to get Hanna checked into the hotel, safe and sound, and get back to his townhouse to clear his thoughts. He had a date with his laptop and spreadsheets. His analytical brain needed a good dose of problem-solving techniques. Maybe a pro versus con analysis or something.
A call to his parents was in order as well. They wouldn’t be pleased he hadn’t notified them of his new “engagement” before the press release went out, but a phone call would redeem him a little. He’d put it off long enough.
He glanced at Hanna, expecting her to fasten her seat belt so they could get going.
Instead, she sat there, absently twirling the ring on her finger.
He resisted the urge to run a hand down her gorgeous blond hair. She wore it straight today, with little barrettes on each side to hold it out of her face.
No one was watching, though. He had no good excuse except being male and attracted to her. And the latter he needed to work on curbing. Another item to add to his problem-solving list. “Hanna? You okay?”
She sighed and pulled off the ring. “We need to talk, Will.”
No part of him wanted to go back into that wretched store, especially to return an overpriced ring. The lady ought to be thankful he’d paid the exorbitant amount he did. He was thankful, though, for a halfway modest price compared to the others Hanna had looked at.
One look at her face when she gazed at it had made it impossible for him to sway her. He might have even bought it had it been the hundred-grand one. “What? Isn’t that the ring you wanted?”
Hanna shook her head. “No, it’s not that. In fact, the ring is perfect. I think that’s the problem.”
Women were so confusing. “We could always go to a pawn shop and get a cheap, gaudy one for a hundred bucks. Would that do?” One side of her mouth curled up an inch. “People would love that.”
Will took her hand and tugged her to face him. “What’s going on, Hanna? You’re still in this with me, right?”
She sighed and nodded. “Yes, yes I am. I guess I’m just tired and overwhelmed. And the ring. Really, it’s perfect, Will. Thank you. And when we’re done with this charade, you can take it to that pawn shop you mentioned, maybe get a little of your money back.”
His little thrifty fake fiancée. Most women would be joking if they said that, intent on squeezing every last dime they could out of him. But he knew Hanna well enough to know she was drop-dead serious. He squeezed her hand. “Is the cost what’s bothering you? Let’s just say, I’m thankful you chose this over the other choice. It suits you. And it’s yours to keep when we’re through. Think of it as a souvenir.”
She drew her hand back and turned to face the window. “Let’s just go.”
“Hey, I have an idea.” He pulled out his phone and clicked on the Instagram app and changed the camera direction toward them. “Let’s take a selfie of us with your new ring.”
Her lips tipped into a smirk. “A selfie?”
“Why not? All the big-time celebrities do it.”
He stretched his arm out until they were both in view then leaned toward her. “Okay, I’ll do a smug, proud face; you do an ‘OMG, look what I’ve got’ face, okay?”
She laughed and obeyed, her eyes wide and mouth in the shape of a perfect O, her fingers splayed in front of her, showing off her bling. He put on his best smug expression and clicked the button.
A few clicks and it was posted, going to his Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at the same time. “There. We’re officially introduced to social media as a couple.”
“Good, because”—she pointed her finger toward a group of pedestrians crossing at an intersection not far from them—“I think there’s a guy over there who took a picture of us a minute ago, too.”
“Well, buckle up. Let’s get you to the hotel.”
He pulled out of the space and hit the gas harder than he normally would, hoping no one would follow him. Not that it really mattered. If someone wanted to figure out what hotel she was staying at, it would be pretty easy. And maybe that would clarify their non-living-together status. Once on the highway, he relaxed a little. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about my parents.”
“How are they doing with all this?”
After the picture he just posted, they were probably both pretty livid at the moment for him not calling. The more he thought about it, the more he determined to put that conversation off as long as possible. “They actually haven’t technically been informed yet, although I’m sure they’ve heard it from other sources by now.”
A small fist caught him in the shoulder.
“Hey, what was that for?”
“That’s on behalf of your mother since she isn’t here in person to do it herself. I can’t believe you didn’t call them.”
Will rubbed the spot she’d nailed. “I don’t want to tell them it’s fake.”
“You’re going to lie?”
“More like not tell them the truth.”
Hanna narrowed her gaze. “It’s the same thing, Will. My dad knows. I don’t know why we couldn’t tell your folks, too.”
She didn’t understand. His parents about ordered his head served on a platter when they saw what he’d done. They both loved Hanna and thought her the best thing that happened to their fami
ly since smartphones were invented. Since his dad was a retired corporate attorney and his mom did social media consulting for a billion-dollar company, that was no small distinction.
Perhaps he could get back in his parents’ good graces as well. Make family get-togethers not quite as tense. Christmas would have been more comfortable if he were having acupuncture—while walking on hot coals—in the middle of winter—in Alaska—naked.
His mother had given him a wedding cake topper as his gift. She’d told him she’d purchased it as a gift for the two of them and couldn’t return it, so he could do whatever he wanted with it. He was quite certain she’d purchased it with spite in mind only.
His father gave him an empty box. Told him his gift was to be a honeymoon in Hawaii. But since Will now wasn’t getting married, he and Mom were going this summer instead.
When his parents wanted to make a point, they pulled out all the stops.
He drove in silence the short distance to the four-star hotel he’d booked a room at. Hanna shifted in her seat several times, but he really didn’t want to talk about it right now. She would just have to get over it.
After pulling into the hotel’s valet lane, he shifted the car into PARK.
Hanna took that to mean talk time. “You need to tell them, Will.”
Instead of answering, he opened the door, popped the trunk, and tossed the keys to the attendant.
Hanna met him at the back of the car. “Ignoring me won’t help, William Henry Preston. Are you going to tell them, or shall I?”
Aware of the valet’s frown, Will abandoned the bag he’d started to pick up, put an arm around her, and pulled her flush to him, ignoring her gasp. He pressed a quick kiss against her lips then put his forehead against hers. “I will be glad to tell them how happily in love and engaged we are, my sweet. Don’t you worry.”
Hanna’s eyebrows furrowed into an unpleased U shape. A second later, her forehead smoothed like melting butter, and she sent him a lopsided smile. A product of the staring valet and approaching bellman, no doubt. “That sounds just great, Willie-poo. I do so love your parents.”
The Engagement Plot Page 8