My Fake Christmas Fiance (Kane Christmas #1) - Julie Kriss Page 0,5

of them to find you an apartment. You’ll like it.

I’ve given the marriage waiver to my father—or more accurately, his assistant—but he hasn’t signed it yet. Apparently he’s now gone on a business trip to Sweden, though we don’t have any business in Sweden and there’s no reason for him to go there. There aren’t any hilltop monasteries in Sweden, are there?

Too soon?

Seriously, I don’t know what my father is up to. I’ve been getting a strange vibe from him ever since I hired W.B., our new CFO. My father definitely doesn’t like W.B., which is weird, because W.B. doesn’t have anything objectionable about him. From what I can tell, he’s just a buttoned-up guy in a suit who likes numbers. (Wait. You don’t have a thing for buttoned-up guys who like numbers, do you? Maybe I’ve just described your fantasy life.) The only thing slightly odd about W.B. is that he won’t tell me what those initials stand for and his friends call him Dare. Otherwise he’s straight as an arrow. Oh damn, I have been describing your fantasy guy. Maybe it’s him you should be marrying, not me.

Anyway, Dad loathes W.B. with a passion. And now Dad’s gone to Sweden for reasons he won’t talk about, and he hasn’t signed the marriage waiver. And W.B. is giving me worried looks and telling me we need to have a meeting.

I’m not saying I’m panicking, but this is all getting pretty weird.

I’ll handle it. I’ll get on a plane to Sweden if I have to. We’re not getting married, Penny. And we’re definitely not screwed.

November—One Month Ago

Headline from the Denver Post:

Christmas Ornament Mogul Arrested for Financial Crimes

Desmond Kane, CEO of Kane Co, Inc., a Denver Christmas ornament company, has been arrested on embezzling charges.

Kane was arrested in the Denver airport after he deplaned from a flight from Sweden, where he has been for the past several months. Local law enforcement was assisted by the FBI in their investigation of Kane. Authorities were tipped off that Kane planned to return to Denver and were waiting at the airport when his plane arrived.

Kane has run Kane Co. for thirty years. His son, Wesley, will now take over the company while Kane awaits his embezzlement trial in federal prison. It’s alleged that Kane embezzled nearly $10 million during his reign as CEO, a crisis the company may not be able to recover from…

From: Wesley Kane

To: Penelope Gold

Subject:

Penny,

We’re screwed. We’re going to have to get married.

Chapter 2

December—Present Day

Penny

It was my last day in the office. My last hour, actually. Okay, my last ten minutes.

I was sitting alone at my desk, my beloved laptop in front of me. Next to my elbow was a mug of strong tea, mostly empty. I was wearing my nicest suit—a navy blue skirt and matching navy blue blazer—with a white blouse beneath it. My curls were tied back from my temples with a clip at the back of my head. Outside my office door, everyone else had already left, because the San Diego office of The Christmas Experience was closed down, as of now. The only person left was me.

There would be no one here just as soon as I packed up and went home. Any minute now.

I double checked that my drawers were empty. I found a stray pen and dropped it into the box next to my desk. I refreshed my email on my laptop one more time, and then again. Nothing.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out why I was stalling. Once I left the office for the last time, I was going back to my apartment, which was being packed up by movers. I’d grab my suitcase and leave there for the last time. Then I’d go to the airport, get on a flight that was scheduled to leave in a few hours, and leave San Diego for the last time.

For a girl who had only ever lived in one place, and worked for one company, it was a bit much.

It was all my father’s fault. If he hadn’t signed that merger with Kane Co., none of this would be happening. If he hadn’t decided to give up his life to go to a monastery in Tibet. And if he hadn’t made that stupid marriage arrangement…

I glanced at the ring on my right hand. It was a small single diamond, set in a narrow band. It was understated, and it fit my finger perfectly. I’d never admit this to my fake fiancé, but I