a trial run for the business with a few other duties.” There, that didn’t sound so crazy.
“What do you mean ‘other duties’? Are they going to use your app or not? And why’d you have to stay longer just to get the job? Dad’s been asking for you and I can’t spend another night here. I’ve got the night shift for the next five days at the hotel.”
Angie worked at a casino hotel and often had the night shift, which meant Nina had the night shift with their father because Daisy was the most unreliable of the Fuller sisters.
“You and Daisy will have to work out a schedule. I’m going to be here for the next six weeks as part of this deal I’ve accepted.”
“What are you talking about? It’s just an app. Either they’re using it or they’re not—and if they are, it’s not necessary for you to stay there during some trial period.”
“It’s necessary if I’m also pretending to be the guy’s fiancée to help their company boost sales,” she blurted.
After only a couple seconds’ hesitation, Angie all but yelled through the phone, “What? Are you serious? You’re like some escort?”
“I am not an escort,” she snapped. She wasn’t aware of escorts wearing designer gowns and getting a personal driver. Although she could be mistaken, considering she’d never made it her business to know what escorts did or didn’t do, or have or didn’t have.
“Look, this is the biggest opportunity of my life and I’m taking it. So for the next six weeks, I’ll be Major Gold’s fake fiancée and his company will be featuring my app on all of its web sites.”
Angie was silent for a moment. “And what happens after that? He offers to put you up in an apartment and you continue to be at his beck and call?”
Nina rolled her eyes even though Angie wasn’t there to see how exasperating her comments were. “This isn’t Pretty Woman,” she said, referring to one of the Fuller sisters’ favorite movies. “It’s a job that I plan to do to put my business in a better position in this industry.”
“This is insane and Dad’s not gonna like it.”
“He’ll like it when it provides a way for me to take care of him on a long-term basis,” she quipped. “Look, I gotta go. Just figure out a new schedule with you and Daisy and keep me posted. I’ll be home as soon as this is over.”
Angie wasn’t happy when she hung up and Nina wasn’t nearly as giddy as she’d been when she’d first walked into the room. In fact, as she disconnected the call and let her hands drop into her lap, she wondered briefly if Cinderella’s coach had just turned into a pumpkin.
Ten minutes later, she walked back into the living area. Major had removed his jacket and tie, and was sitting on the couch, surfing TV channels.
“Everything okay?” he asked when she took a seat beside him.
She nodded. “It’s fine. My sister called, so I had to give her an update on the change in plans.”
“Do you live with your sister?”
“Ah, no. I have two sisters and we each have our own apartments, but we take care of my dad, so we’re in constant contact with each other about schedules and such.”
“Is your father sick?”
The immediate hint of concern in his tone initially surprised her, but that was because Angie’s comments about escorts were still rambling in her mind.
“COPD. He was diagnosed years ago, but it’s getting worse.” To the point where he was almost debilitated, although Jacoby would never admit that.
Major’s expression turned thoughtful, his brow furrowing a bit. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
She shook her head, wanting to think of something else and feeling slightly guilty for admitting that fact.
“Thanks. Actually, that brings up something I was thinking on the ride over here.”
He muted the television and dropped the remote on the cushion between them. “What’s that?”
“If we want this charade to be believable, we should get to know each other better. We managed to do pretty good tonight, but what if I’m asked some personal questions about you? How will I know what to say?”
He frowned, thick brows slanted over brown eyes. The top button of his shirt was undone and Nina could see not only the tawny hue of his skin but also the slight ridge of his Adam’s apple. She licked her lips quickly as a flash of thought—her tongue gliding over that ridge—soared through her mind.
“I don’t give interviews