Page 69 of Merry Fake Bride

“Mom!”

“Fiancée?” She screeches again, and as the blankets slip from her arms, Kairo darts forward to catch them.

“Not common knowledge?” he murmurs on his way past.

“No,” I gasp and then hurry after Mom as she turns and storms down the hallway to Dad in their bedroom.

“Hank! She’s engaged to that man! Hank!”

“Mom—”

Stumbling into their room, Dad stares at me with wide eyes and his face covered in shaving foam while Mom storms up and down the small space between their bed and her closet.

“What?” Dad’s eyes narrow. “What is she talking about?”

“Okay, look, I was going to tell you but?—”

“You got engaged and you’re talking as if it’s an afterthought!” Mom throws her hands in the air. “Devon, what on earth are you thinking? He’s almost twice your age!”

“Okay, first, he’s only thirty-nine, which is not twice my age.”

“Still older,” Mom snaps.

“Yes, okay, he’s a lot older than me, but it’s not what you think.”

“Devon…” Dad steps forward and a glob of foam dangles perilously from his chin. “Is this like what happened with Ax?—”

“No.” I cut in abruptly and raise my hands. “Please, listen. Kairo is doing this to help me. It’s not real. It’s just a business arrangement, okay?”

Mom stops her pacing to stare at me. “What?”

“I can’t explain all the details until I know them, but he’s helping me. With this engagement, he’ll be able to help me save the bakery, and I know that sounds ridiculous because technically, I’m only marrying him for his money, but I promise you this is the best chance we have.”

My parents exchange a glance and Dad steps closer. “And what does he get out of this little arrangement?”

The implication is heavy in his tone. but after a calming breath, I smile. “Peace, Dad. He’s just looking for a little peace because it’s like you read in the magazines. Everyone is obsessed with everyone else’s dating life. This way, he gets a little peace for a while. And once we’ve done everything we can for the bakery, we’ll divorce. It’ll all be in writing.”

The air in the bedroom changes like the stroke of a brush.

“Oh.” Mom presses one hand to her chest. “That’s… in writing, you said?”

“Yes, Mom. I promise this is just business. That’s all.”

She seems convinced and straightens her posture while Dad finally notices the glob of foam seconds away from divebombing onto the carpet. “Well, I suppose that’s alright, then. If it’ll be in writing.”

“It will be.” Kairo’s gentle voice rises up from behind me. “Your lawyer can look over everything before anything is signed to make sure you’re all happy.”

Dad’s eyes remain narrowed but he nods. “That’s good of you, Son. Good of you.”

“Well… I don’t understand why you would help us when it’s your company that is harming us,” Mom says stiffly, but she’s gradually relaxing. “But it is kind of you.”

“It’s complicated,” I say with a small smile. “But it will make sense.”

“Well, then.” Suddenly, she claps her hands together. “I expect to see you at Thanksgiving next week.”

Kairo’s gaze immediately locks onto mine, and I see the request for permission brimming in his eyes.

He could use the deal or his presence to accept without a single thought of me, but he doesn’t.