Page 12 of Meet Me at Sunset Cove (Jonathon Island #5)

Disbelieving what he was about to do, he extended a hand. “Fine. But it’s only temporary. Just until I can find a loophole or some other way around the rules of the truth. And I have final say on all design decisions.”

Daisy’s eyes lit up again, a bright smile gracing her lips as she took his hand. “So we’re doing this.”

“Apparently.”

She stepped back, turning to look at the house. She took it in with a look that sparked something inside him he couldn’t place.

A moment later, Daisy’s grin faded into a more serious expression. “So, about the engagement…”

Hunter’s pulse quickened. “What about it?”

“Well, if we’re going to do this, I’ll need a place to stay.”

Hunter’s eyebrows shot up as he glanced meaningfully toward the dusty, dilapidated exterior of the Barrett house. Daisy followed his gaze and quickly shook her head.

“Very funny.” She gave a mock laugh, wrinkling her nose. “I need running water and heat. Heat is very important.”

Hunter rolled his eyes. “Fine. I know someone with a sublet available. We can go talk to them right now.”

He started toward the town, but Daisy hesitated. “That…brings up the second issue.”

Hunter frowned. “What’s that?”

“When do we start?” she asked, brushing her hair behind her ear again, suddenly shy.

“I mean, do we walk into town hand in hand, or are we more of a zero PDA kind of couple? Or do you not want the town to know? Any of which are fine with me. It’s your engagement…

” Her words drifted off as she glanced back up at him.

The balls of her cheeks grew pink the longer she spoke. He’d almost forgotten that endearing way she rambled when she was nervous.

Hunter grimaced, running a hand over the back of his neck.

“Right. I guess we should probably get on the same page.” He glanced toward the town, splayed out at the bottom of the hill.

This was a terrible idea. A terrible, horrible idea.

But he couldn’t lose the house. He wouldn’t abandon it.

Might as well rip the Band-Aid off. “Let’s start today. Now.”

“Now?” Daisy’s eyes shot up. “Don’t you think we should plan this out a little more?”

“I think if I plan this out, I’ll come to my senses.” Hunter sucked in a breath. “We start now.”

* * *

Daisy hadn’t really expected the charade of their engagement to start immediately .

After all, any sane person would assume they would ease into it.

Drop some hints around town. Introduce her to his family, make a whole whirlwind romance escapade out of it.

It would take planning to get it right. To make people believe in their love story.

So when Hunter’s fingertips slid into the space of her palm, curling between her fingers with ease as they reached the outskirts of town, she’d tried, and failed, not to flinch in surprise.

“Relax,” he said gruffly, nodding toward one of the houses lining the street, and more specifically, the older woman flitting around her front yard, raking leaves into neat little piles.

“What are you doing?” she hissed through smiling teeth.

Hunter tilted his head close to Daisy’s, his voice dropping low. “Martha Kelley. Owner of Martha’s on Main and all-around busybody. We want people to start talking about us? She’ll get the rumor mill going.”

Daisy’s eyes widened as they passed the woman. She’d eaten at Martha’s several times already, but apparently their paths had simply missed each other. The woman paused her raking, her eyes pausing on their clasped hands. Her gaze narrowed, like a hawk zeroing in on its prey.

“Afternoon, Martha,” Hunter called, raising his unoccupied hand to wave at her.

Martha blinked without response and then scurried off into the house, taking her rake in with her.

“Oh yeah, that’ll get the job done,” Hunter said, a smug smirk tugging at his lips. He quickly dropped her hand, and the cold rushed in to take its place.

At midday, the sun shone brightly over the town, making the colorful awnings pop as she and Hunter strolled down Main Street.

It really was a storybook town. The American dream: Island Edition .

Daisy found herself craning over her shoulder to examine the colorful storefronts while trying to keep up with Hunter’s long strides.

“So, the town really gave away those storefronts along with every dollar house?” she asked as they passed an adorable little studio with yellow-striped walls and a For Lease sign in the window.

Hunter shot her a glance over his shoulder. “Yeah.”

“It’s a brave move, that’s for sure,” she said as they passed a grayish-colored horse parked outside the Jonathon Island Bank, flicking its white tail lazily down its legs. “Where’s yours?”

“My horse?” He asked, his brows pulling together.

“Your storefront. You’re a contractor, right?”

“It’s on the mainland.” Hunter pointed toward the lake. “We don’t do business on the island.” The way he said it made her wonder if that was a policy…or a choice.

“Why’s that?”

Hunter sighed, his jaw tightening. “We don’t have to talk, you know.”

Daisy grinned, undeterred. “Ah, but then how will I get to know my”—she dropped her voice into a whisper—“fake fiancé?”

Rolling his eyes, he shot her a sideways glance. “You already know me.”

“Correction,” she said, skipping a little to catch up to him. “I did know you. But that was another time. Another version of whatever you this is.”

Hunter’s lips pulled into a tight line as they crossed the street. “The company policy is to focus on mainland projects,” he replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. “They’re less risky and more cost-effective.”

“Hmm,” Daisy mused. “Is that why you’re so charming? Saving all that personality for your fancy mainland clients?”

Hunter shot her a look. “I’m plenty charming.”

“Oh, of course.” Daisy nodded solemnly. “Nothing says ‘Prince Charming’ quite like brooding and monosyllabic answers.”

A reluctant smirk tugged at the corner of Hunter’s mouth. “I’ll have you know, girls like the brooding. It’s part of the look.”

Daisy laughed. “I’m sure they do. Let me guess, you also have a leather jacket and a motorcycle hidden away somewhere?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Hunter replied, his tone lighter than before.

“Actually, yes, I would,” Daisy said, bumping his shoulder playfully. “That’s kind of the point of asking questions.”

Hunter rolled his eyes, but for a moment, Daisy caught a glimpse of the man she once knew. He exhaled heavily. “You’re relentless, aren’t you?”

“It’s part of my charm.” She grinned. “Someone has to balance out all your brooding.”

“Lucky me,” Hunter deadpanned, but there was no real bite to his words.

Daisy beamed up at him. “See? We’re bonding already. By the time we get to wherever it is you’re taking me, we’ll be the picture of love.”

Hunter snorted, and then, just as quickly as their little banter had begun, he shut it back down. “We’re here.”

Daisy blinked and looked around.

They were in front of the coffee shop again.

“After you,” he said, hesitating for a split second before pressing his hand to the small of her back as he led her inside. Daisy’s stomach gave a flutter that she chalked up to surprise. Apparently, the show had begun.

Jill raised her head as the door fell shut. “How you doing, Hunter?” And then her eyes found Daisy. “Back so soon?”

Hunter stopped, glancing back at Daisy with obvious confusion. “You know each other?”

She gave him a look, crossing her arms over her chest. “Did you really think I’d go three days on the island without getting coffee once?”

Hunter’s eyes narrowed at her snark, and Jill cut in. “The real question is, how do you two know each other?”

Daisy lifted her gaze to meet his. Last chance to ditch this crazy idea.

He swallowed, one final battle waging behind his eyes. And then his arm lifted to wrap around her waist, his warmth enveloping her as he pulled her in. “You want to tell her?” he asked, his eyes sweeping lovingly over her cheeks, her lips, her eyes.

Oh, heavens. Daisy’s cheeks flushed, her heart giving a pitiful leap. Where in the heck had that look of his come from?

She tore her gaze from his and tried to catch her breath. Focus, Daisy. “We’re getting married!” There, she said it.

Jill’s polite smile faltered, her mouth falling open. “What?” And then, after the words had a moment to process, “Oh my goodness! Hunter!” She threw her arms around the both of them.

“Oh,” Daisy said, not sure how to accept the hug wrapped haphazardly around her neck. She gave Jill’s elbow a polite pat.

After she’d juiced every bit of love out of them, Jill stepped back, although her hands remained on their shoulders. Her gaze darted to Daisy. “You know, I thought maybe you and your co-host had been separated this last season. Why didn’t you tell me this morning you were here with Hunter?”

Daisy felt her smile falter. See, this was why they should have planned this out a little. “I?—”

“We didn’t exactly plan it out,” Hunter cut in. “Daisy and I met years ago, and we missed our shot. So when she showed up, I didn’t want to let her get away again.”

“Wow.” Jill blinked. “It’s a big decision, marriage. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very romantic, but…”

“Trust me, Jill. There’s not a day in the last five years I haven’t thought this through.”

Daisy flushed.

“A whirlwind romance, then.” Jill beamed, accepting the answer without question. “I could not be more excited for you two!”

Hunter smiled; it was bright and comforting.

She remembered that smile. “Thank you, Jill.” He stepped back to Daisy, wrapping his arm around her shoulder again.

A gesture she would probably never get used to as warmth spread beneath his palm.

“Daisy and I are planning to renovate the old house as soon as we can. But, in the meantime, she’ll need a place to live.

Any chance the upstairs apartment is still available? ”