Chapter 1 - THE BOYFRIEND HER FAMILY COULD NOT INTIMIDATE
Nora’s first mistake was assuming the hardest part would be convincing her family I was real.
Her second was assuming I would behave.
By twelve-thirty, we were standing outside Magnolia House, a restored Charleston mansion overlooking the harbor, while Nora recited rules like she was preparing me for a hostage negotiation.
“No unnecessary touching.”
“Define unnecessary.”
She ignored me.
“No dramatic stories about how we met.”
“We met over bad coffee and financial desperation.”
“That’s not romantic.”
“It’s honest.”
She glared.
“And please don’t scare Miles.”
I looked toward the mansion.
“Why would I scare him?”
“You have a face that looks like you know where bodies are buried.”
I almost laughed.
If only she knew.
Then the front doors opened.
A silver-haired woman stepped outside using a cane.
“Nora!”
My fake girlfriend instantly softened.
“Grandma.”
She hurried forward and hugged her.
The older woman looked at me.
Then at Nora.
Then back at me.
“So this is the emergency boyfriend.”
Nora froze.
“Grandma!”
I smiled.
“I like her already.”
Her grandmother, Eleanor Bennett, took my hand.
“Evan Cole.”
My smile disappeared.
She knew my name before Nora introduced me.
“You recognize me?”
Eleanor’s eyes sharpened.
“I read newspapers.”
Nora groaned.
“Please don’t tell Mom.”
Eleanor smiled.
“Darling, your mother has been trying to marry you to Miles Harper since he learned how to wear a tie. Today deserves entertainment.”
Then she leaned closer to me.
“But if you hurt my granddaughter, newspaper fame won’t save you.”
I almost respected the threat.
Inside, the Bennett family gathered beneath white chandeliers and magnolia garlands.
Diane Bennett spotted Nora first.
Then me.
Her expression changed immediately.
“Nora.”
“Mom.”
Diane looked at my hand resting lightly against Nora’s back.
“And who is this?”
Nora took a breath.
“My boyfriend.”
The entire room stopped.
Then Miles Harper stood from the dining table.
He was exactly as advertised.
Tailored navy suit.
Perfect hair.
Perfect smile.
The kind of man mothers trusted instantly.
He crossed the room.
“Nora.”
“Miles.”
His gaze moved toward me.
“Evan.”
I offered my hand.
“Nice to meet you.”
He shook it.
Firm grip.
Polite smile.
Then he whispered so only I could hear:
“You should leave before this becomes embarrassing.”
I looked at him.
“Embarrassing for whom?”
His smile tightened.
Then Diane interrupted.
“How long have you two been together?”
Nora hesitated half a second too long.
I answered smoothly.
“Three months.”
She looked at me.
I continued:
“She ordered black coffee and complained about the pastry.”
Nora caught on immediately.
“The croissant was terrible.”
Eleanor laughed.
Diane did not.
Then Miles stepped closer.
“Interesting.”
I looked toward him.
“What?”
He smiled.
“Nora hasn’t had black coffee in six years.”
Silence.
Nora’s face drained of color.
I glanced at her.
Then at him.
And realized something important.
Miles wasn’t merely a family friend.
He had been studying Nora carefully.
Far more carefully than she seemed to understand.
Before anyone could speak, a waiter approached Miles and whispered something.
His expression changed.
Then his eyes moved toward me.
May you like
For the first time, the perfect smile disappeared.
Because someone had just told Miles Harper who Evan Cole actually was.
