After a full day in the sun and a night as equally full of dancing, laughter, and fun, Evie was exhausted. Thankfully, she had her employee April opening the store the next morning and she allowed herself a luxurious and very rare sleep-in day. They’d been out late, way later than they should have been. It finally took Jonah putting his head down on a picnic table and dozing off for Evie to check the time and pull the plug on the party. She hadn’t expected him to leave with them, but Declan walked home with them, almost carrying Jonah on a few occasions, the boy was so tired from his full day.

After she tucked him in and changed into her pajamas, she’d joined Declan in her bed. It should have seemed strange for him to be sleeping in the same bed as her, or a little bit awkward, but it wasn’t either of those things. She slipped under the covers and into the crook of his arm that he held open for her to snuggle up to.

It felt natural to have Declan in her bed, even if they weren’t fooling around.

Which was why when she woke up late the next morning and stretched her arms up and over her head, she immediately felt the emptiness of the bed. Evie’s eyes drifted open and confirmed what she already knew.

Declan was gone.

Of course, he no doubt had work to do just as he did every morning, but she couldn’t help but feel disappointed that he was gone. She liked waking up to him and his smile. The way he would gently reach over and brush a stray hair out of her face.

The lines between what was real and what was for show were definitely starting to blur together until more often than not she simply allowed herself to believe it was all real.

The way he took care of Jonah and cared about him, hanging out with him, making sure he was happy—that couldn’t possibly be an act. Never mind the way he touched her. The way he kissed her, even when no one was looking.

That was real.

Her heart flipped in her chest and she had to force herself to slow down. She wasn’t going to rush it. She needed to be sure. She was a practical woman and she didn’t rush into things. Just because she was starting to develop feelings, it didn’t mean that it was love. After all, Declan was doing her a huge favor and it was entirely likely that she was just so grateful to him that she was feeling strong feelings toward him.

That wasn’t love.

That was gratitude.

Wasn’t it?

She needed to be sure.

Besides, she had enough going on in her life that the last thing she needed to worry about was whether or not she actually loved her fake fiancé. She could have laughed at herself. And she almost did. She was being ridiculous. She needed to focus on what was important and that was making sure she had sorted out her custody situation.

That was the only thing that mattered.

And she needed to call Russ and get an update on that very thing.

Evie forced herself out of bed and into the shower, certain that she’d be interrupted by Jonah at any moment looking for his breakfast, but by the time she got dressed, her hair wrapped in a towel, there was still no sign of him.

She made her way out to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee from the pot Declan must have made and checked her phone. There was a text from Joanne.

Took the boys down to the lake for the morning. Declan gave it a thumbs-up.

She smiled and sipped her coffee. For the first time in her life, she had someone helping her and it felt good. Even just the little things, like approving a playdate or making coffee, made a difference. Maybe it was the little things that made all the difference.

Either way, she was free to make her calls and enjoy her morning. And that was huge.

She heard Declan in the other room, no doubt on the phone with someone from his foundation. She didn’t fully understand what it was that he did, but she knew it was important and his foundation helped thousands of people every day with some of the basics of life. He’d assured her that it was fine for him to be in Cedar Springs, but she couldn’t help but wonder whether that was really true.

She walked a little closer to the kitchen door. It probably wasn’t a good idea to eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help it. Especially when she heard what sounded like an intense conversation.

“I’m not going to be there,” Declan said. “No.” There was a pause and Evie held her breath. “I think you can handle it.” Another pause. “I don’t think it will be the end of the world if I’m not there.”

Where was he supposed to be?

“No, Wes. I need you to handle it.” The pause was longer this time as whoever was on the other end of the line spoke. Finally Declan sighed. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll see what I can do but I have this…thing I’m taking care of here.”

Thing? A shot of pain flashed through her.

“See if you can push off the meeting a few more weeks until I have things tied up here.” Tied up? “Yes.” He was talking again. “I should be ready to go in a few weeks if needed.”

A few weeks?

Evie took a step back. He thought of her as a thing he needed to tie up? And he’d be gone in a few weeks? She shook her head, trying in vain to clear her head from what she’d just heard. Less than an hour ago, she’d been fantasizing about what it would be like if Declan stayed in Cedar Springs with her. Hell, she’d actually been contemplating the idea that she was falling in love with him and the whole time she’d been nothing more than just a thing he was dealing with.

Her heart clenched, nausea rising in her stomach. She wanted to cry. To be sick. To… The ring of her cell phone pulled her attention away.

Russ.

At least she could focus on something that mattered.

---

Evie.

Declan heard her cell phone ring in the other room and a moment later the sound of her voice as she took the call. He’d expected her to come in when she woke up, but maybe she hadn’t had a chance.

He liked their easy morning routine that they’d fallen into. It was such a simple thing, but he liked having a pot of coffee made when she woke up. She’d never slept in so late before, though. He’d had to make a fresh pot for her, she’d slept so long.

Not that he minded.

It was such a little thing, but it made him immeasurably happy to know he could help with even one little thing. She was such a busy woman and she worked so hard. She deserved a little bit of spoiling.

He turned his focus back to the computer screen and the current problem he was having. His right-hand man, Wes Morris, was pushing hard for him to get down to Haiti to have an in-person meeting with some of the government officials who were looking for an update on the work that DAR had been doing in their country for the last few years.

It wasn’t unusual to have meetings and normally it wouldn’t have been a problem at all. In years past, he would have dropped whatever he was doing, which was most likely some other work for DAR, and flown down for the meeting at once. But that was before.

Before Evie.

He couldn’t explain it to Wes, and he certainly couldn’t tell him that he was engaged. That would be just one more lie he’d have to unwind after the fact. It had been easier to just tell him that he was dealing with something at home. He’d tried to make it sound like a family thing, but he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty at the way he’d reduced his relationship with Evie to such a simple term.

Not that it mattered what Wes thought. But he did need him to understand and get the meeting times moved. Wes wanted him down there next week and there was just no way he could do that. Not if he was supposed to be in Cedar Springs, helping Evie.

But eventually he would have to go. He had a job to do and not only that, but he loved his job. He loved his career and his foundation and everything he’d built.

He was proud of it. He’d built it from nothing. It was his whole life for the last five years. He’d dedicated everything to it.

But he’d be willing to let it go. For Evie.

He felt that in his bones. For Evie and Jonah, he’d let it all go and settle down in Cedar Springs.

In a heartbeat.

As long as she felt the same way.

---

“Russ, give me some good news,” Evie said the moment she answered the call. “Please tell me all this bullshit is over. I’ve played nice, I’ve allowed access, I’ve—”

“Good morning, Evie.”

She swallowed hard and tried to calm down. She was getting herself all worked up and she knew that wouldn’t help anything. Although, to be fair, she’d been worked up before the call. After eavesdropping on Declan.

She needed to stay cool. And she needed to stay focused.

“Good morning, Russ,” she said after a moment. “Sorry, I’m just anxious to hear what you have to say.” She slipped out the patio door and went out to sit in the sun on her deck, her coffee still in hand.

“I know this has been hard for you, Evie,” Russ said. “And I want you to know I’ve been doing my best to come to a solution everyone can be happy with.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Not everyone,” she said. “Me. You need to come to a solution that I can be happy with, Russ. Not Tony. That doesn’t—”

“Obviously, I meant that I’m looking for a solution that you’ll be happy with,” he said. “But also one that is in Jonah’s best interest. After all, we have to remember that the ultimate goal is to make sure Jonah is well cared for and happy.”

“Of course.” Evie forced herself to take a sip of coffee. “I know.” She nodded. “I know,” she said again, more to reassure herself than Russ. “So what’s happening? Just tell me.”

“As you know, Tony was going after full custody.”

“You said that was ridiculous.”

“It is,” Russ said slowly. “There’s no way that a father, after so many years of being absent, can expect to walk back into a child’s life and assume full custody. That would only be the case in a situation where there is neglect or perhaps death of the custodial parent.”

“Russ!”

“Clearly that’s not the case.”

“However.” He paused and Evie knew right away she wasn’t going to like what he said next. “He has presented himself as a strong male role model and influence, and he has always made his payments on time—that will be taken into consideration. As well as his marital status and desire for a family life that includes Jonah.”

“What are you saying?” Evie hung her head, not entirely sure she wanted to hear what he was going to say.

“I’m not confident that we’ll be able to win full custody, Evie. I’m sorry.”

His words hit her like a hammer and breath escaped her lungs entirely.

“I mean, I always did think it was a long shot,” Russ continued. “I hoped for your sake obviously, but…Evie? Did you hear me?”

She nodded and then, realizing he couldn’t see her, said, “Yes. I heard you.” The words were little more than a whisper. “I just don’t understand. I’ve been his sole provider for eight years. I’ve given him everything. I’ve done it all on my own.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Is this because he’s married? Because I’m going to give him a family, too.” There was a pinch of pain at the lie and the knowledge that even if she thought it might turn into the truth, after overhearing Declan earlier, that hope was gone. It was just a lie. A horrible lie she was telling in a vain attempt at holding onto her son.

“It’s a consideration,” Russ said. “But, honestly, Evie, even if he wasn’t married, I’m not sure you’d have a case for full custody. Judges are really looking at the father’s involvement when they make these decisions. And it’s important, Evie. Jonah needs a father. Maybe you shouldn’t look at this as a bad thing.”

She wasn’t sure she could look at it any other way. How could it be a good thing that she was going to have to watch Jonah walk out her front door to live with a man he barely knew? It wasn’t a good thing. Not at all.

“So, marrying Declan…it wouldn’t matter?”

Russ hesitated a moment and cleared his throat before he answered. “Of course it will matter, Evie. But not in the matter of Jonah’s custody.”

“Right.” She nodded. “So that’s it?”

“I’m sorry, Evie. Obviously I’ll continue to keep discussions open with Tony’s lawyer. Sometimes things change in these cases, but as your lawyer, and your friend, I need to advise you against going to court with this. I don’t think it will be beneficial and will only cause stress for Jonah. It’s always best if both parents can remain amicable. Remember, Jonah’s needs should come first.”

“Always.” The word was barely audible.

She hung up the phone and allowed herself a moment to cry.

She’d been so naive.

Naive to think it could be just her and Jonah forever.

Naive to think she could fix everything with a little lie.

And really naive to think that their fake relationship could turn into something real.

Everything was falling apart and for once in her life, Evie didn’t know how to pull it back together.