The Fiancée Fiasco. Jackie Braun

speed on each other in short order. We’re supposed to have been dating for several months. Beyond knowing that you have a dog named Howie and started your nonprofit just after college graduation, I don’t know anything about you.”

      “I could write up some notes.”

      “Crib sheets, you mean?” His smile was engaging.

      “I never had to resort to them myself.” She regretted the chiding comment when his lips flattened into a thin line.

      “For the record, I’m not a fan of cheating, or lying, although I can understand where you might find that hard to believe right now. See, this is exactly the reason we need to spend time together before this weekend.”

      “Assuming I agree.”

      “Assuming that. Yes.”

      “So, I would meet your grandmother and visit with her over the weekend?”

      “That’s right. She’s incredibly easy to talk to and fun to be around. She plays a mean game of cribbage. Who knows, you might even enjoy yourself,” he said.

      “Assuming I agree to do this,” she repeated.

      “Assuming.”

      But they both seemed to know she was leaning in that direction.

      “I won’t lie to her, Thomas.” This time, his given name slipped easily from Elizabeth’s lips. It was important they were clear on this point. She might be willing to bend her principles, but she would not break them. “For her to assume is one thing, but if she flat-out asks me a question that requires me to lie, I won’t do it.”

      “This is assuming you agree.” He beat her to it this time.

      “Let me make something else clear. The only reason I am even entertaining the possibility of doing this is because Literacy Liaisons means so much to me.”

      “I know that.”

      Of course he did. He was banking on it, she realized.

      “So, is that a yes?”

      She exhaled slowly, knowing her life was about to take a huge and unexpected turn. “Yes.”

      Once Elizabeth agreed, the rest of dinner passed in a blur for Thomas. When it came time for the check, he didn’t remember eating, possibly because more than half of his steak remained untouched on his plate, as did the side of risotto and steamed vegetables.

      He was relieved that she’d said yes, of course. Her agreement was what he’d hoped for. Still, he couldn’t quite shake his apprehension. Now, he had a fiancée—a woman who was also a stranger. He needed to remedy their unfamiliarity and fast.