Fiancee for Hire Read Online Free Page A

traditional?”
    “Traditional,” Kelli repeated, glancing at Mac. His expression was unreadable behind those damn dark glasses, so she looked back at Anna. “Well, yes. Mac does like things to be just so.”
    “Of course,” Mac agreed, leaning back in his chair in a pose his sister called Commander of the Universe behind his back. “We’re thinking something simple, elegant, demure, understated, sweet. Just like Kelli.”
    Mac smiled at her, clearly thinking he’d paid her a compliment. Across the table, Anna choked on her ice water.
    “Kelli?” she gasped. “Sweet and demure?” She glanced from Mac to Kelli and back again as though waiting for the punch line.
    Kelli kicked her under the table, hoping Anna wouldn’t tell the story about the cowboy bar when Kelli rode the buckin’ bronc topless while three guys with Nerf rifles—
    “I think what Mac is saying,” Kelli said, nudging Anna with her toe again, “is that we want something classy.”
    “Classy,” Anna repeated, still looking at Kelli like she had ferrets coming out her ears. “Got it. Okay then, here are a few locations I’ve been looking at for the two of you.” She spread an array of snapshots on the table, each marked with information about cost and the number of people it could accommodate. “This one right here has stunning views of the ocean, while this one has on-site catering that’s magnificent.”
    “Very nice,” Kelli said, admiring the landscaped grounds and trying to think of an appropriately bride-like observation. “The statue in that fountain looks very well-endowed.”
    Anna cocked her head as she studied the photo again. “Yes, I suppose he does. We could put pants on him if you think guests would be offended.”
    “That won’t be necessary.”
    “What about that spot on the cliff?” Mac asked, smiling at Kelli with what she assumed was supposed to be the look of a doting groom who wanted the very best for his bride. He looked more like a lion eyeing a tasty gazelle covered in chocolate syrup. Kelli swallowed. He put his hand on her knee, and the possessiveness of the gesture made her skin buzz pleasantly.
    Mac looked back at Anna, who was clicking her pen the way she often did when anxious. “The place on the cliff,” he repeated. “The one I sent you the link to yesterday?”
    “Yes, well, it’s very lovely, but I thought with Kelli’s intense fear of heights—”
    “It’s fine, really,” Kelli said, hurrying to cover Mac’s misstep. “I’m totally over that.”
    “You are?” Anna asked, looking dubious. “But it was only a year ago you refused to go up the Space Needle with me on that girls’ trip to Seattle.”
    “Intense hypnosis,” Mac said. “Very effective in curing phobias.”
    “Absolutely,” Kelli agreed, steeling a glance at her groom. His hand was still on her knee, and she willed it to slide higher. “Hypnosis is excellent for all kinds of phobias. It worked wonders for Mac’s aulophobia. And you wouldn’t believe what a severe case of helmintophobia he was dealing with until Dr. Hillman got a hold of him.”
    Mac frowned, and Kelli wished like hell she could see behind his sunglasses. He had beautiful eyes, large and brown and much warmer than she ever would have guessed.
    “Er, right,” Anna said, looking baffled. “Okay then, we’ll take a look at that spot on the cliff later this week. In the meantime, do you two want to talk about cake?”
    “Lemon,” Kelli said. “Definitely lemon with buttercream frosting.”
    “But only on half,” Mac added. “I’m allergic to lemon.”
    “Of course, dear,” Kelli said, feeling her stomach sink as she reached over and patted his hand. “I was just talking about the top tier. The one couples stick in the freezer to eat on their first anniversary but end up throwing away because who the hell wants to eat year-old frozen cake?”
    “There’s a local baker who makes some really unique creations,” Anna offered. “There’s