One Fake Fiance - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,1

pipe dream. The price of land was out of sight. The best that Lucas could hope for was that Knox would keep giving him more responsibility. Lucas had proven his value time and time again, but the problem was—Jaxson was the general manager of the ranch, and that’s how it would always be. Angst churned in Lucas’s gut as he thought of his first cousin. From the time they were kids, he and Jaxson had been rivals. Things got worse in high school when they played football together. And there was the bit about them both liking the same girl. But that was all water under the bridge now. Lucas’s infatuation with Lemon Massey had been fleeting, but not so with Jaxson. He and Lemon had reconnected and were now engaged. Lucas was happy for Jaxson. He’d certainly been a lot easier to deal with now that he was with Lemon. As for their working situation, deep down, Lucas didn’t blame Knox for putting his own son in charge of the ranch. Still, it cut to know that Lucas had risen about as far up in the chain of command as he could go. He’d always be just an employee, working under his uncle and cousin.

Lexi trilled out another high-pitched giggle, breaking into Lucas’s thoughts. “Just trust me, bro.”

“That’s kind of hard to do when you’re not telling me the full story.”

She let out a long breath. “Okay,” she relented, “you’re right. There is more to this than a simple blind date.”

“Just as I thought,” he said, feeling vindicated for having ascertained the situation correctly. “Spill it,” he ordered.

“No can do. You’ll just have to hear it from your date.”

“Huh? Hear what?”

Lexi’s voice went squeaky. “She’ll just have to tell you the full story. Did you get the flowers?”

Lucas glanced over at the bouquet in the plastic sleeve, resting on the passenger seat. “Got them, as instructed.”

“Perfect. See you soon.” Before he could say anything else, Lexi ended the call.

“What’re you getting me into, little sister?” Lucas grumbled as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, continuing his drive to Lexi’s apartment.

Magnolia nibbled on her lower lip as she watched Lexi stroll back into the living room.

“Good news. Your date’s on his way,” Lexi announced as she plopped down on the loveseat and tucked her leg underneath her.

“Who exactly is this guy that you’re fixing me up with?”

Lexi made a zipping motion over her lips. “You’ll find out soon enough,” she said, her eyes dancing with secrecy.

Magnolia groaned. “You’ve got to at least give me something. I’m dying here.” It was a bit odd and concerning that Lexi had left the room when she called the guy to find out where he was. Did the guy not want to go out with her? Magnolia clenched her hand, her nails digging into her palm. “There’s just so much riding on this,” she uttered. Her deadline for marriage was less than three weeks away. Just thinking of her approaching deadline made Magnolia’s stomach churn.

Magnolia had met Lexi in junior high when she moved to Franklin, Tennessee to live with her mom. During the two years that Magnolia lived in Franklin, Lexi was her closest friend. Then, when her mom relocated to Orlando, Florida, Magnolia moved back to New Orleans to be with her dad. At first, Magnolia and Lexi kept in close touch but eventually drifted apart, as childhood friends often do. The two had rekindled their friendship when Lexi came to stay with Magnolia prior to her going on the TV reality show, The Singing Bachelor.

Magnolia had forgotten how much she missed hanging out with Lexi. She was so down-to-earth, so relatable—a breath of fresh air from Magnolia’s other social-climbing friends. Being with Lexi reminded Magnolia that there was a whole other world outside of the country club and endless social events, which the upper echelon deemed as necessary as bread and water.

Several weeks ago, out of sheer desperation, Magnolia had called Lexi, asking if she knew anyone she could fix Magnolia up with. Lexi said she had someone in mind, but it had taken forever to schedule a date. That was somewhat understandable with Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays in full sway. However, it made Magnolia super nervous. Time was ticking away. She had to find a fiancé. Pronto! While she was waiting to meet the guy Lexi planned to introduce her to, Magnolia had dated legions of men as backups, hoping that one of them would fit the