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“The same way he felt about Hadley.”
Corinne frowns. “He was right about her.”
I nod. “And I should have seen it coming. But it wasn’t his responsibility to save me from my own decisions. Now he’s pulling the same overbearing bullshit on you. You might be his sister, but you’re an adult, capable of making your own choices.”
“Exactly.” She glances up at me through thick black lashes. “Tell me how you see this scheme working if I say yes. How would it play out?”
“First off, I have no doubt people in the dining room have already posted photos of us on social media.”
“The public doesn’t know my face the way they know yours. Parker, for all his faults, has done a good job of keeping me removed from the spotlight.”
Most likely for reasons that stroked his ego far more than protected Corinne. “It won’t take internet sleuths long to identify you. The gossip might be good for your business, too.”
She flashes me a sly half smile. “While I don’t need more, I won’t turn it down.”
“Then brace yourself.”
The online gossip will bug the shit out of Parker and send him scrambling to make calls. He’ll dial Corinne first, demanding to know what she’s doing with me. If she doesn’t want to answer, we’ll let his call go to voicemail. He can rage there. If she wants to talk to him, fine. But if he tries to bully her again? He’ll have to come through me.
Slowly, she nods, seeming to turn the possibilities over in her head. “What happens next?”
“We leave here with your hand wrapped around my arm and my ring on your finger—one you weren’t wearing when you walked in—giving the other diners lots of PDA. Social media will start buzzing with speculation. Those images won’t take long to reach gossip rags. Or your brother.”
“Oh, my gosh. He’s going to lose his mind.”
I grin. “It will be good for him. Builds character.”
“You’re a smart-ass.”
“Just one of my many charming qualities.”
“Along with your humility?”
I shrug, my grin becoming a laugh. “We’ll give Parker twenty-four hours to stew. Tomorrow, we’ll make a statement officially announcing our engagement. Afterward, my brother and sister-in-law, Maxon and Keeley, will throw us an engagement party at their bed-and-breakfast.”
“Tomorrow? That’s fast.”
“Why wait? We’ll invite enough of the island’s movers and shakers to make it look legit. Since my sister Harlow is married to Noah Weston—”
“Wait. The Noah Weston? Five-time Pro-Bowler and one of the best all-time passing quarterbacks? That Noah Weston?”
“That one.”
She gasps. “I’ve seen Harlow’s picture. She’s incredibly beautiful. I didn’t realize she’s your sister.”
“Don’t feel bad; I didn’t realize it, either, until well after they were married. And I’m impressed you know football.”
Corinne grins. “At first it was one of those things I learned because Parker hated it so much. He thought me liking sports, except gymnastics and figure skating, was unladylike. Information about football wasn’t super easy to get when I was in boarding school and I hate that I missed watching Weston’s final Super Bowl, but I loved seeing him play.”
“You and my brother Evan’s wife, Nia, can fawn together over his on-field moves. Harlow will roll her eyes and poke fun at you both.” Before she teases her husband about the many ways she’ll have to deflate his ego…among other things. “We’ll have brunch with the family on Sunday so you can get to know everyone when it’s more relaxed.”
Corinne bites her lip. “Do you plan to involve your family? Will they know we’re not really engaged?”
Maxon, Keeley, and Griff already know. The rest? “I hate to deceive them…but they’ll help convince the rest of the world that we’re completely in love and intend to get married if they believe it’s real, too.”
“Seems like you’ve thought this through.”
“Most of last night.” And I’ve thought of everything…except what to do about my friends. Echo and Hayes will want to come for my engagement party, even if it’s last-minute. They’ll be hurt if I don’t include them. I’d rather not lie to them, but if I come clean, they’d have to keep my secret. Untruths make Echo uncomfortable. And the more people in on our scheme, the less likely it is to stay hidden.
“It shows. But you know Parker; he’s stubborn. It will take more than an engagement announcement and a party to convince him we’re serious.”
“Since we know how he thinks, we’ll devise some logical countermeasures so we’re ready once he punches back. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you get your money before your business is negatively impacted. But until your brother gives in, I’ll make sure you get help.”
“I appreciate that.”
“So you’re on board?”
She shakes her head. “Hang on. I have another question.”
Before Corinne can ask, Ailani returns with our drinks. “Appetizers should be out soon. Would you like to order dinner?”
