Faking Ms. Right: A Hot Romantic Comedy (Dirty Martini Running Club Book 1)

I hadn’t been this anxious at work since my first day. Then, I’d been worried about normal new job stuff, like whether I’d get along with my coworkers, spill coffee on my boss, or walk out of the bathroom with the back of my skirt tucked into the waist.

Not that those last two things had ever happened.

Okay, yes they had.

Today, I was worried about how mad my boss was after I’d accidentally elevated our relationship from fake-dating to fake-engaged.

Shepherd hadn’t come home last night until late. I’d been half asleep when he’d finally come to bed. He’d silently slipped beneath the sheets like he always did. And maybe I’d been imagining things, but it had seemed like he’d stayed even closer to the edge of the bed on his side than usual.

I hadn’t meant to blurt out that we were engaged. It wasn’t like that had been part of our plan, so I understood why Shepherd was frustrated. But Svetlana made me so angry. I was usually something of a conflict avoider—or conflict smoother-overer, really—but I just couldn’t deal with her. She had the nerve to say Shepherd was just using me? As if he’d been the problem in their relationship? Shepherd was many things, but at his core, he was a good man.

Maybe I should have just called her a gold-digging harpy and outed her to Richard. As far as I knew, he still didn’t know she’d dated Shepherd first. But Shepherd had asked me not to tell, and I wanted to respect that.

Although saying we were engaged probably hadn’t been a better tactic.

He came into the office and we went through our morning routine—minus the pleasantries and good mornings I’d grown accustomed to recently. I did my best to put it all out of my mind and simply do my job.

Besides, I already knew what I was going to do. I was going to tell Richard that I’d gotten ahead of myself. That I’d jumped to the conclusion that Shepherd was proposing based on something he’d said, but that we weren’t officially engaged. I’d tell him I cared about his son very much and apologize for putting everyone in an awkward position last night.

It felt like layering lies on top of lies. I hadn’t thought about that part when I’d agreed to the ruse. But sharp points of guilt pricked at me every time I looked at Richard. He was so nice and friendly—and so excited to see his son in what appeared to be a serious relationship. And I’d gone and made it worse, getting his hopes up that his son would finally get married.

But it was okay. I’d fix it.

I didn’t want to think about how we were going to tell him that our entire relationship was only for show. Maybe we’d have to fake a break-up. That wouldn’t be too hard, especially with the way Shepherd was currently ignoring me.

With a heavy sigh, I turned back to my computer.

“Everything okay over there?” Steve asked. He was wearing a navy sweater vest over a blue plaid short-sleeved shirt and he gave me a friendly smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just some personal stuff.”

“You know what I do when I’m stressed?”

“What?”

“Spend some time at the cat cafe.”

I blinked at him. “What’s a cat cafe?”

“It’s called Neko, over on Capitol Hill. They serve drinks and snacks, and you can hang out with their cats. Some are permanent residents, and some are still looking for their forever homes. It’s very relaxing.”

“Wow, I had no idea that sort of thing existed.”

He nodded. “I was there just last week. I’ve been thinking about adopting a brother or sister for Millie, but I’m not sure how well she’d get along with another feline.”

“That is an issue.”

“It’s important to consider the needs of your current pet when deciding whether to introduce a new animal into your home.”

“Of course.” My phone rang so I gave Steve an apologetic smile. “I should take this.”

He waved his hand, as if to shoo me away. “Of course, of course. Back to work.”

I picked up my phone, but it wasn’t a work call. It was Annie. “Hey, sis.”

“Hey, how’s your day going?”

I could practically feel Shepherd’s silent presence in his office behind me, the weight of his displeasure sitting heavily on my shoulders. “Um, it’s fine. How about you?”

“I’m good. Are you free for lunch? I’m downtown and I thought we could get together.”

“Yeah, I’m free.”

“Great. Should I come up to your office, or…”

For some reason, I didn’t like the idea of Annie being near Shepherd right now. It wasn’t like she wanted him; she wasn’t even attracted to men. But the idea of her trying to sneak a peek into his office or eying him like he was an interesting genetic specimen made my back clench tight.

“That’s okay, I’ll just meet you at that sandwich place or something. Does that sound good?”

“Sure, that’s perfect. Noon?”

“Yep. I’ll see you then.”

Shepherd didn’t leave his office all morning. He had a lunch meeting, but I’d already sent him his schedule for the day. He didn’t message me with any requests. I wasn’t sure what I wanted from him. An excuse to go into his office so we could talk, maybe. I just didn’t like the feeling of this problem between us simmering in the background.

I had to leave to meet Annie before his meeting, but he didn’t need anything from me, so I just left. The restaurant wasn’t far from my building. The fresh air felt good as I walked, as did the sun on my face. The sidewalk was busy with pedestrians—lots of people dressed in business casual attire, heading to lunch meetings or taking a break with friends or coworkers. Music spilled out of a bar on the corner and I wistfully imagined that I was meeting Nora and Hazel for lunch mimosas, rather than my sister for sensible salads.

Annie was waiting at the restaurant and the host took us to our table. I followed her lead, ordering water to drink and a salad with grilled chicken.

“So, what’s new?” she asked.

I hadn’t said a word to her about my current living situation. For all she knew, my life was still the same. Living in my cute, if small, apartment in the same building as Nora and Hazel. Going to work, like everything was normal. Three-mile runs and girls’ nights with martinis.

She had no idea I was living in a palatial penthouse with my wealthy, and very private, boss. Trading banter with his father over morning coffee. Doing yoga in his living room and sipping wine in the evenings on a balcony that overlooked the city. Sleeping next to him in his bed, on the softest, most luxurious sheets I’d ever felt. Trying very hard to ignore the way my body responded to his scent.

“Oh, you know, not much. What about you?”

She took a bite of her salad and shrugged. “Not much. Work has been crazy the last few weeks. I feel like I could be there twelve hours a day, seven days a week and still not catch up.”

“That’s tough. I hope you’re taking some me-time to recharge.”

“Yeah, Miranda has been making me. She can always tell when I need a break. You know how she is with self-care and all that.”

“Good.”

“Oh, before I forget.” She brought out her soft leather briefcase and pulled out a manila folder. “This is the paperwork for Mr. Calloway. We had a contract drawn up by a lawyer with experience in both genetic material donations, and more traditional adoptions. He’s welcome to have his lawyer look at it and we’re open to any changes he might want to make.”

I swallowed hard and tried to keep my hand from trembling as I took the folder. “Thanks, but I haven’t had a chance to bring it up. And honestly, Annie, I’m still not sure this is the best idea.”

She smiled. “I have complete faith in you.”

It was suddenly difficult to look my sister in the eyes. I tucked the folder beneath my purse on the chair next to me, focusing on my lunch. “Thanks.”

The stack of paperwork seemed to whisper at me all through lunch. Annie didn’t bring it up again, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The whole thing was making me slightly nauseated, but I couldn’t understand why. Annie and Miranda didn’t have malicious motives. They weren’t after his money, and I was sure the contract spelled that out in exacting detail. They simply wanted the best match for their hoped-for child. They liked his physical and intellectual traits—and who could blame them. Shepherd was basically perfect.

Other than being a robot, of course.

But damn it, he wasn’t a robot. Not at all. He seemed like one at work—and he’d certainly been back to his old robotic self this morning. But underneath it all, there was a lot more to Shepherd Calloway than met the eye.

Which, when I thought about it, made him an even better candidate to be their sperm donor.

It was probably a good thing this hadn’t been a mimosa or martini lunch. I managed to get through the meal without blurting out anything about living with Shepherd, pretending to be his girlfriend, or the fake-fiancée mess I’d gotten myself into.

After saying goodbye to Annie, I took my time walking back to my office, the folder with the donor contract tucked beneath my arm. I still had no idea how I was going to ask Shepherd. Or if I really could. When he’d asked me to pose as his girlfriend, it had seemed like the perfect lead-in. I’d do him this very large favor. He could at least consider doing me this favor in return. Even if he ultimately said no, at least I’d have tried. I wasn’t going to insist or guilt him into it. It was a business deal. He dealt with those every day. He could determine if the terms were favorable and make his decision from there.

But I still hated the idea of even asking. Now more than ever.

I shuffled back to my desk, absent the usual spring in my step. Steve gave me a sympathetic smile, but didn’t have any more cat-themed suggestions for dealing with stress. I put the folder away in my desk drawer and sat down, telling myself I needed to focus on work. Not on the fact that Shepherd was mad at me, or how I was ever going to broach the subject of him donating his sperm to make my sister’s baby dreams come true.

Shepherd’s office door opened behind me and I almost jumped out of my chair. My back clenched as his footsteps approached. He was going to walk right by and not even look at me. I just knew it.

Although, what would be wrong with that? For three years, he’d walked by this desk numerous times a day without glancing at me. He’d never been friendly, and I hadn’t expected him to be. Our working relationship had been simple and routine, and there had been nothing wrong with it.

But nothing was the same anymore. I was a big, swirling mess of feelings, and I had no idea what to do about it.

To my enormous shock, he didn’t walk by. He stopped, the smooth lines of his expensive suit in my peripheral vision. I froze, my palms planted on my desk, my heart racing. I couldn’t make myself look up.

“Everly?” His voice was deceptively soft, lacking the edge that usually told me he was frustrated or impatient.

I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his. That was a terrible idea. Those eyes. That jaw. That spot in his cheek where a dimple puckered if he smiled. I could almost see the little indent now, as if at any moment, his serious mask would melt away and he’d smile at me.

“Yes?” I managed to choke out.

“Come with me.”

I cast a nervous glance at Steve. He looked stricken, his eyes wide, his mouth hanging open. He watched me get up, staring as if I were being led to my execution.

Unsure as to where we were going, or why, I snatched up my purse and followed Shepherd to the elevator. It felt as if all eyes were on me as we walked down the hallway. I held my purse close to my body, trying to keep my face neutral. Office gossip spread like wildfire, but I was pretty sure the worst anyone would say was that it looked like I was in trouble. Which, to be fair, I was—just not in the way they’d think.

Plus, Shepherd’s robotic stoicism scared everyone. Any apparent fear on my face wouldn’t be too surprising.

I didn’t ask him where we were going as we rode down the elevator. He didn’t offer any information, either. Just stood next to me, looking deliciously perfect in his suit and tie. That neatly trimmed stubble that would probably feel amazing against my—

God, why was I thinking like that? This fake relationship thing was messing with my head.

He led me to his car and I got in. Silence. We drove to another building and went in the parking garage. It hadn’t registered where we were—what street or what building this was. Were we here for lunch? Should I have told him I’d already eaten? Hadn’t he had a lunch meeting?

I was so absorbed in my thoughts, I blinked in surprise, realizing I was standing at street level in front of a glass door. Shepherd opened it and gestured for me to go inside.

I stepped into a world of soft beige and precisely positioned lighting. The room was lined with dark wood cabinets topped by glass display cases. Well-lit niches in the walls displayed sparkling necklaces, rings, and bracelets. The glass cases glittered with diamonds, gold, and platinum.

Oh my god. We were in Turgeon Raine, one of the best high-end jewelers in Seattle.

“What are we doing here?” I whispered. Which was a silly question. It was obvious what we were doing here. But I couldn’t quite believe it.

Shepherd gently grabbed my elbow and leaned closer, speaking low into my ear. “If we’re engaged, we need to play the part.”

“Shepherd, you don’t have to do this.” I turned so I could meet his eyes. “I was going to talk to your dad tonight and tell him I misspoke. That we aren’t officially engaged and there’s definitely no need for a party.”

His expression was soft as he gazed down at me. “It’s all right. I think this way is better.”

I smiled, relief filling me. We were okay.

And then Shepherd did a terrible thing. He smiled. That genuine, beautiful smile that showed his perfect teeth and puckered his adorable dimples. It squeezed my heart—hard. Made my traitorous body light up with little sparks and tingles. It was like a window into the real Shepherd, the man he kept hidden on the inside.

I liked that man. A lot. Far too much for my own good.

A woman with curly dark hair wearing a stylish pinstripe pantsuit and deep burgundy lipstick walked over, holding out her hand. “You must be Mr. Calloway. Welcome.”

Her presence broke me from my trance. He’d made an appointment? He’d actually planned this.

“This is Everly.” Shepherd’s hand moved from my elbow across my back, to slide around my waist.

“Lovely to meet you, Everly, and congratulations on your engagement. I’m Shauna. If you’ll follow me, please?”

Shepherd’s hand on the small of my back was oddly reassuring as we followed Shauna past the glittering display cases and through a door. I glanced back, wondering why we weren’t going to look through their selection. We’d passed dozens of engagement rings, if not more.

The room was the same soft beige, but the niches in the walls had some of the most opulent—and no doubt expensive—jewels I’d ever seen. A dark wood desk sat near the back wall, the shelves behind it decorated with exotic sculptures and a few pieces of jewelry in glass cases.

Shepherd pulled out a chair for me and we both sat on one side of the desk while Shauna took the other.

“I have some beautiful options for you.” Shauna lifted a black cloth, revealing a variety of diamond rings held in a velvet tray. “We have many more to choose from, so if none of these speak to you, I’ll be happy to show you more. But this should get you started.”

Of course—a private showing. That’s exactly how Shepherd would do this. I could feel his eyes on me, rather than the rings, as I gazed at the selection. One on the end instantly caught my eye. The band was rose gold, and it was much smaller than the rest, with a center stone surrounded by a halo of little diamonds.

“It looks like you’re drawn to this one.” Shauna plucked the ring off the tray and held it up. “Would you like to try it on?”

“Please.” I held up my hand and she slipped the ring on my finger.

For a heartbeat, it felt like the stars all aligned, triumphant music played in the distance, and a beam of sunlight cut straight through the building to shine on my outstretched hand. It was perfect. The engagement ring of my dreams.

My heart squeezed again. I would have loved a ring like this. It was exactly what I’d always envisioned.

But I couldn’t use it. I’d ruin it forever if I got fake-engaged with this ring. Not that I thought my someday-fiancé would buy this exact ring. But I was afraid I’d never be able to wear one like it if I wore one now, when this was all just for show.

“Hmm, I don’t know.” I took it off and handed it back to Shauna. “Maybe I should try a few more.”

“How about I let you two peruse in private.” She rose from her seat. “I’ll come check on you in a little while. In the meantime, if you have any questions, or would like to see something else, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you,” I said, and Shepherd nodded to her.

Shauna left and I let out a long exhale. “This is so overwhelming.”

“It seemed as if you liked that one.” Shepherd gestured to the ring I’d tried on.

“I don’t just like it. I love it.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I lowered my voice, almost to a whisper, although no one was here. “I can’t use my dream ring for a fake engagement.”

Shepherd regarded me through narrowed eyes for a long moment before speaking. “All right. Do you want to know which one I think we should choose?”

“I do, actually.”

The ring he picked up from the tray was a simple solitaire—a platinum band with a single setting. But the simplicity ended there. The diamond was enormous. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a diamond so large in person before.

“That?”

“Here.” He motioned for me to give him my hand, so I let him slide the ring on my finger.

I held out my hand, fingers splayed, the giant rock glittering. I was surprised it didn’t bend the light and cast rainbows all over the room. “This one?”

“We’ll choose the diamond separately,” he said. “So if you think it should be larger, that’s not a problem.”

“Larger? Are you joking?” I moved my hand closer to his face. “I can hardly lift this thing.”

He laughed softly and there went another heart-squeeze. “It’s not that big.”

“Yes, it is. How do people function with rings this size? It’ll get caught on everything.”

“It’s what Shepherd Calloway would buy his fiancée,” he said, his voice nonchalant. “And it’ll make Svetlana insane.”

“You evil man.” I couldn’t help but grin at him. “You’re right, this would make her crazy with jealousy. It’s exactly what she’d want.”

“She’ll probably hope it’ll give my dad ideas.” He winced.

I held out my hand, looking at the monstrosity that was going to be my fake-engagement ring. “No, regardless of your dad’s perceived wealth, that’s not her goal. She wants you.”

“I can’t fathom how she thinks sleeping with my father is going to get her what she wants.”

“Are you sure they’re sleeping together, though?” I asked. It was something I’d wondered, but it wasn’t the kind of thing you brought up to your boss slash fake boyfriend out of the blue. “He’s receiving treatment for prostate cancer. He might not even be able to… you know. Plus, I’ve never seen her spend the night, and I’m almost positive he’s never slept at her place. Not that you have to sleep over if you’re having sex, but still. It does raise the question.”

“Hm.”

Since Shepherd didn’t say anything else, I let the subject drop. After all, the whole situation was terribly awkward. I wished Shepherd would have just told his dad the truth right away. But since I’d gotten to know Richard, I’d caught some glimpses as to why. He was a sensitive man and he was already going through so much, what with his illness and financial crisis. And according to Shepherd, his relationships were always very short-lived, especially when the woman was considerably younger. He was clearly going through something and if Shepherd—and his brother, who had apparently encouraged Shepherd to keep quiet—thought this was best, maybe they were right.

One thing I was sure of: If and when Richard found out the truth, even if he was hurt, he’d understand that his sons did it to protect him. I just hoped he’d be able to forgive me for my part in it, too.

I held up my hand again. This was turning out to be so much more complicated than I’d ever thought. And the feelings simmering in my tummy weren’t helping. I kept trying to tamp them down, keep them from flaring into an inferno of emotions. But it was a struggle.

Oh god, had Nora been right? Had I caught feelings?

No. Absolutely not, and this ring was proof. It was ostentatious and flashy, and nothing like the real me. A ring as fake as the engagement it represented.

I could still do this. It would be fine.

“All right, then. I think this is the one.”