Faking Ms. Right (Dirty Martini Running Club #1) - Claire Kingsley Page 0,63

going for style over substance. And I know all things Gatsby were very trendy a while back, but really, the style is timeless.”

I absolutely did not want my dad—or anyone—throwing us an engagement party. It had nothing to do with the engagement being fake. Even if Everly and I were planning an actual wedding, I would have vetoed a party.

“That sounds amazing,” Everly said.

My eyes darted to her. She couldn’t be taking his side.

She looked right at me, a playful smile on her lips. “Come on, Shep. It’s just a little party.”

“Exactly,” Dad said. “This is a big deal. We need to celebrate. Just an intimate gathering, nothing too extravagant. I already talked to your brother. He and Grant are looking forward to it.”

Everly winked. “See? Ethan and Grant are excited.”

The little vixen was fucking with me. I’d just have to fuck with her right back. “Well, we’ll have to invite your parents and sister, Everly.”

Her smile faded and she started fidgeting with her hair. “Right. Well, my parents live in Florida. And they’re busy, and they travel a lot. I’m not sure if they’d be able to make it.”

“Your sister, though,” I said, enjoying the way she was trying not to squirm. “She lives in the area, doesn’t she?”

The color drained from her face.

“I can’t wait to meet her,” Dad said. “Just think, both families, together in one place.”

“I’ll, um…” She fumbled over her words. “I’ll have to check the calendar.”

“Great,” Dad said. “I’m taking Svetlana to a benefit luncheon tomorrow. We’ll start working on the details. You won’t have to lift a finger.”

I had to stop myself from groaning at the mention of Svetlana.

“And just to let you know, things are looking up,” Dad said. “The market’s been turning in my favor, and I have some big deals going through that are going to put me back in the black. Well in the black, if all goes according to plan.”

“Dad—”

He put up a hand. “Nothing too risky. I learned that lesson. But you won’t have dear old dad as a roommate much longer.”

The reminder that this—all of this—was temporary poked at something in my chest. “Right. Glad to hear it.”

“How’s your treatment going?” Everly asked.

“Uncomfortable and inconvenient. But if that’s the worst of it, I’ll consider myself a very lucky man. Things are looking good there too. Thanks for asking.” He smiled at her. “Well, I won’t keep you. Goodnight, you two.”

“Night, Richard.”

I nodded. “Night, Dad.”

As soon as he left, Everly grabbed my arm. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

I let her lead me to the bedroom and she shut the door behind us.

“Invite my parents and my sister?” she asked.

“The party sounds amazing?” I shot back.

She put her hands on her hips. “Your dad was so excited. I don’t know how you say no to him when he has that adorable little gleam in his eyes.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Gleam in his eyes?”

“Shepherd, I can’t invite my family. What am I supposed to say? Oh hey, Mom and Dad, can you fly out to Seattle for my engagement party? No, I’m not actually making all your dreams come true by getting married. I’m pretending to be marrying my boss, but everyone else there is going to think it’s real. You can go along with that, right?”

“Can they?”

She groaned. “No, it would be a disaster. My sister totally would, but that’s beside the point.”

“Then don’t invite anyone. They don’t have to know.”

“Yeah, but your dad was so excited about meeting my family.”

“Because he thinks this is real,” I said.

Her expression fell and she leaned away. “Right. There isn’t actually anything between us.”

Damn it. “That’s not what I meant.”

“No, it’s fine. I get it.” She gestured toward the bathroom. “I think I’m going to take a bath and read. I’ll be sure to put the party on your calendar when your dad sets a date.”

She grabbed a book from her nightstand and went into the bathroom without looking back.

I stared at the closed door for a long moment. Fuck. I hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings.

My phone rang, so I pulled it out of my pocket. As if to add insult to injury, it was my mother. Why was she calling? I hadn’t talked to her in months.

I answered on the way to my office. “Hi, Mom.”

“Shepherd. What’s this about you getting married?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. “Did you talk to Dad?”

“He called to find out my availability for your engagement party. I pretended that