Page 69 of The Love Hoax

“Good, good,” Adam says, contentment painting his face.

Adam’s father turns to me. “Who is this lovely creature?”

Adam puts his arm around his father’s shoulders. “Ronna, this is my father, Ari. Dad, this is Ronna, the woman I love.”

I freeze. The words sound so genuine. Notthe woman I’m going to marrybutthe woman Ilove.

Ari takes my hand and in a classic Cary Grant fashion, kisses it. It’s old-world elegant.

“Welcome to the family, Ronna. I’m so happy to finally meet you. And if I may, I apologize both for my wife’s unannounced visit to Yosemite, as well as for what is likely to come from the Demetrius women this weekend.” To his credit, he says this with a healthy dose of regret. “I learned a long time ago that when my girls get their minds set on something, my voice of reason is like spitting in the wind.”

I laugh. “That’s all right. I’m sure all will go smoothly. Steph and Anna seem on top of all the details.”

“No question about that! Okay, you two. See you downstairs.”

When Ari leaves, I ask Adam, “What was it you wanted to tell me?” It beats telling him I’m heading back to New York the moment this weekend is over.

Adam purses his lips. “It can wait. Steph will kill me with her bare lizard hands if we aren’t down there before the foie gras is served.” He points to the large wooden armoire. “You might want to have a look.”

I open the cabinet. “Oh my god!”

Inside is what amounts to a couture wardrobe. “How?—”

“Let’s just say Steph is detail-oriented. After meeting you, Mom estimated your size and Steph had these clothes delivered.”

“I didn’t realize she could afford Dolce and Gabbana . . . and Tom Ford.” Every single item is just my style. There is even a pair of diamond earrings that look suspiciously real.

“She can’t. I can.”

I try to hide my surprise. “You paid for all this?”

He nods. “By the look on your face, I did good.”

“You did,” I say, impressed. There’s more to his relationship with Stephanie than meets the eye. More than sibling rivalry.

I eye the armoire’s contents, feeling a growing sense of worry about the price tag. “I’ll pay you back.”

“No need. Think of it as work expenses.”

More like Christmas morning. These clothes are perfection.

I smile, holding back my excitement. If Adam wasn’t standing right there, I’d be literally jumping for joy. “I’ll go get dressed. I can be ready in twenty.”

“Perfect. If you let me have the shower first, I’ll meet you downstairs.”

I watch Adam head to the bathroom then caress one of the stunning dresses, my fingers rejoicing at the silky satin fabric.

Maybe I need to rethink things once more.

Chapter Fifty

Adam

Isnap the cuffs of my shirt and tug on the edges of my jacket, aware that I’m fidgeting. I’m not used to wearing a monkey suit anymore. If not for my sister and the beleaguered groom-to-be, Brad, I wouldn’t be wearing one now.

Even at our board meetings, I wear a crisp button down and skinny, designer jeans. I’m a mountain man, through and through. I save the suits and ties for the most special of occasions.

I’ve never been the overprotective big brother. Neither Steph’s personality nor my own ever fit the stereotype. But as insufferable as Steph can be she's also generous, smart, and funny. At least when she wants to be.