If you called texting back and forth like we always had seeing each other. But this wasn’t hurting anyone. In fact, Holden never needed to know. Probably. And if he did, well, I’d figure that out when I needed to, but he was a good guy, and he’d likely play along if necessary.

Angelica narrowed her eyes at me, and it made me want to squirm. Luckily I was also well versed in resisting the squirm urge.

“What’s the name of this man?”

“Holden Henry. He lives here in Dragonfly Lake. I’ve known him since grade school, and something just… clicked at the wedding.”

Not exactly a lie, if clicking could be one-sided and if you overlooked the fact that it’d been years since my initial one-sided “clicking” with Holden.

She studied me silently for several seconds that stretched out tautly. “Is it serious?”

“I’ve never felt like this about anyone else.” That was completely true, pathetic or not, but in this moment, it served me well.

Angelica brought her steepled hands to her face and pressed her index fingers to her lower lip thoughtfully. Assessing. My gaze didn’t waver.

“You can bring him to the anniversary dinner Friday night.” She frowned. “Likely my last. I’d like to meet this gentleman.”

Her tone didn’t give me an opening to argue or hedge.

Holden had said he owed me one for being his wedding date. I hadn’t taken him seriously at the time, but now… it looked like I might take him up on it. I just hoped he was free.

Telling him about my little mistruth to my boss would be embarrassing, but if I knew him, he’d laugh it off, give me a hard time, then play along if at all possible.

Please let it be possible.

Because as much as I’d wanted Holden over the years, I’d always wanted even more to one day take over for Angelica. I’d never once imagined it could be this soon, but I was capable and ready when needed; there wasn’t a doubt in my mind. Contrary to Angelica’s belief, I did care as much as any heir or offspring could. In fact, I cared more. Like she’d said, I lived exactly like her, giving this company my all.

And since it wasn’t hurting anyone, I would happily pretend Holden and I had a serious relationship if it gave me a better chance of being the one Angelica chose to take her life’s work into the future.

I just needed to find a way to break it to him.

Chapter 2

Holden

“Last thing on my list,” my brother Seth said as my other brother, Cash, checked his watch.