Seeking Happily Ever After (Ever After #8) - Elena Aitken Page 0,46

she could look up at him. “That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?” She felt a pang in her chest even as she spoke the words. It was very quickly becoming not what it was all about. Of course, Amelia was the number-one concern, obviously. But every day that passed, she couldn’t help that her feelings were growing for both of them. It was getting harder and harder to remember that it was all supposed to be temporary, and they’d agreed to easy, with no feelings. It was getting really hard.

Nick hesitated and stroked her hair off her face. “It is,” he finally agreed. “And I do think it went really well today. We answered all her questions, and Amelia was extra smiley and happy today.”

“She was,” Char agreed. “And do you think it helped when she walked in on us earlier? Like…maybe it gave her the feeling that we were a real couple with real feelings?”

He stiffened under her.

Did she go too far? Did he think she was searching or digging for more?

Dammit.

The last thing she wanted was for Nick to think that she was going back on her promise to keep things light and easy, with no expectations. She didn’t want to spook him now. Especially when things were so critical. Susan said she was going to put her recommendation in right away and then the whole case would have to go to the courts. Of course, Char didn’t hear all the details because Nick had asked her to put Amelia down for her nap while they finished up. Not that she minded, but she couldn’t help but feel like she missed some details about the case and what was going on.

“Char, about—”

“I thought we nailed it.” She interrupted him and put a bright smile on her face before he could say anything that might end their fake relationship prematurely—or worse, do anything to hurt Amelia’s chance of staying with her father. “And don’t worry about me,” she continued. “I’ll keep doing my part and playing the role of devoted and madly in love fiancée.” She pushed up enough to give him a quick kiss and then flipped over to turn off the bedside light. “I’m exhausted. Good night.”

She was exhausted. But it wasn’t playing the role of devoted and madly in love fiancée that was hard work; it was pretending that it wasn’t exactly how she felt that was taking its toll on her.

Chapter Twelve

“She really is the sweetest little girl in the world, isn’t she?” Hope Langdon tickled under Amelia’s chin until she giggled and squealed in delight, causing Hope to laugh, too. “So interactive. I can’t wait until Cole gets to that stage, too. Not that I’m rushing it,” she added quickly as she glanced over at her own baby with loving eyes. The little boy was fast asleep in his Auntie Faith’s arms. “I’ll keep him tiny as long as I can.” At only a few months old, Cole was still pretty small, and a perfectly sweet baby. “But I could do with some more sleep at night, you know what I mean?”

Charlotte smiled in understanding, despite the fact that she had no frame of reference about how a baby slept at night. Amelia was an excellent sleeper, and as far as Char was concerned, was the best baby in the world. It hadn’t taken her long to completely and totally fall in love with the little girl. Not that it was hard; Amelia captivated everyone with her bright-blue eyes and sweet smile.

When Hope had called to invite her over for tea and a little girl time, Charlotte had jumped at the chance. She’d known the twins in school when they were kids, but Char was older than them, so they didn’t really hang out at all. Still, growing up in a small town, everyone kind of knew everyone. And a baby playdate sounded like a fantastic opportunity for them to reconnect.

Katie had come, too, and she’d brought along Natalie Collins, who was one of the firefighters who worked with her brother at the station and was new to town.

“I wish I could tell you our secret,” Char said with an apologetic shrug. “But I can’t take any credit for how well she sleeps. Nick said she’s always been…” It wasn’t a secret to any of them that she and Nick were faking their engagement; still, it felt strange to talk about it. Especially because more and more, whatever was happening between her