“Watch your head,” I remind her as she sits down.
She pulls the door closed as I rush back to my side. The tires screech as I pull onto the road and follow the familiar route to my grandfather’s house.
“I understand you’ve had a terrible shock and you’re quite possibly not thinking of the logistics, but why am I in the car?”
“Have you ever been a fiancée before?”
“No, not recently at least.”
My lips turn up in a smile, despite the seriousness of my situation.
“I need a fiancée.”
CHAPTER 7
Nash
Magnolia’s mouthdrops open and something that sounds like a squeak escapes her.
It wasn’t the best choice of words to explain my problem right now, but before I can say more, she tells me in a sweet voice, “If someone you love is passing away, I understand there might be a time of loneliness afterward, but it’s not the time to make rash decisions.”
I’m not sure if I should laugh or pound my forehead against the steering wheel.
“I needyouto be my fiancée.” There. That was a lot clearer.
“Will we have time for a first date before we get married?” she asks with skepticism.
I’m doing a crap job of explaining the situation, and she doesn’t deserve to be confused, especially with the way I’m managing the whole thing.
“My grandfather’s dying wish is that he meet my fiancée. Except she left me two months ago, and he doesn’t know it. The hospice nurse says he’s not going to last the night. Maybe not even the day.”
This is the part where she should demand I drive her home.
She sits quietly for a moment before she asks, “Are there any details I should know?”
I sigh with relief. Her willingness to help is going to make my grandfather’s last hours peaceful ones.
“You’re a broker.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” she mutters.
If this wasn’t such a serious moment, I would laugh.
“You like to travel on the weekends. It’s why you’re never around. We’ve been together for five months.” I won’t tell Magnolia that I proposed after only three months of dating.
“So short and engaged already?” She hums her disapproval.
I ignore that little comment. “Your ring is getting resized, if he asks.”
She glances at me sharply. “Smaller or bigger?”
“You pick.”
“Wise answer. Let’s say bigger. I’ve recently been hitting the weights, and I’m feeling stronger. Growing all sorts of muscle.”
She lifts her arm and flexes. I smile encouragingly. “I can see it!”
I can’t see it, but if she likes lifting weights, then good for her.
