Page 17 of The Love Hoax

“I studied computer science at Stanford. Dabbled in software development for a while.”

Evie places her wrapper in her bag. “I would think there’s quite a market for that out here. We’re not that far from Silicon Valley.”

“True.”

She seems to pick up on the cues and pivots. “How about you? Do you have kids?”

“Me? No. Maybe someday. But my sister’s getting married in a couple of weeks. That’s gonna be fun.”

“By your tone, I assume you don’t mean it. Why wouldn’t your sister’s wedding be fun?”

I pause. Only Zane knows my deal. But Evie is a stranger. She doesn’t know any of the players. What harm could it cause to tell her?

“Because they’re expecting me to bring my fiancée.”

I catch Evie’s fleeting frown.

“Oh, congratulations,” she says.

I’m not sure she means it. I get a strange, tingly feeling inside.

“I didn’t realize you were getting married. When’s the big day?”

I let out a lungful of air. “Well, that’s just the thing. I’m not technically engaged.”

“Oh, I see. But it’s serious.”

“Well . . .”

Evie gestures for me to go on.

“Actually, there is no fiancée . . . or girlfriend. I just said that to get my family off my back.”

Her gorgeous eyes widen. “You’re serious.”

I suck in my lips and nod.

“Wow. What are you going to do?”

“Haven’t figured that out yet.”

Evie laughs, a wonderfully musical sound. “Good luck with that one.”

“Thanks,” I say, standing. I grab my pack and she does hers. “I’m going to need it.”

Chapter Thirteen

Evie

“M

ake sure you’re staying hydrated,” I say, hoping I don’t sound too motherly.

Since Adam confided about his unemployed status, seemingly skittish, I do what I can to change the subject. There’s more to him than meets the eye. The fiancée debacle, for one. As much as I despise lying, I can understand the pressure a family can wield.

We continue on, the trail becoming more arduous. Two middle-aged female hikers with artsy hiking sticks pass us, heading down the mountain. They look sweaty and blissful.

“How was it?” Adam asks them.