The server returned and Jack ordered for us both, his French making me a little weak in the knees. I’d always thought people who said French was sexy were being ridiculous, but hearing it from Jack made me want to jump his bones, stat.
We ate our main courses, discussing our favorite parts of the trip, laughing over the art exhibit at the Louvre and my wide-eyed reaction to the hotel suite. Throughout it all, though, I couldn’t help noticing how Jack kept fidgeting with his jacket pocket, how his eyes occasionally darted away as if checking for something.
“Okay, seriously,” I finally said as our plates were cleared. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been acting weird all day. Is everything alright?”
Jack set down his wine glass, his expression turning serious. “Mia, there’s actually something I want to talk to you about. I’ve been trying to figure out the right time, the right way to say it.”
My stomach dropped. Oh god. This was it. This was where he told me it had been fun, but we needed to get back to reality once we got home. Where he explained that what happens in Paris stays in Paris.
I braced myself, forcing a smile that felt brittle. “Whatever it is, just say it.”
He took a deep breath, and for the first time since I’d known him, Jack Sullivan actually looked nervous. “I need to ask you a favor. A big one. And you’re absolutely free to say no.”
Relief flooded through me so fast I felt light-headed. Not a breakup talk. Just a favor. I could handle a favor.
“The answer is yes,” I blurted out.
Jack blinked, surprised. “You don’t even know what I’m asking yet.”
I shrugged, smiling at him across the table. “Doesn’t matter. After everything you’ve done for me, I’d love the chance to pay you back.”
His expression softened, something that looked almost like guilt flickering in his eyes. “Hear me out first before you decide.”
“Fine,” I agreed, taking a sip of wine to hide how relieved I was. “What’s this big favor you need?”
He hesitated, his fingers drumming briefly on the tablecloth before he stilled them. “I need to go to Colorado for Thanksgiving. My family situation there is... complicated. And I was hoping you would come with me.”
I waited for the catch, but when he didn’t continue, I laughed. “That’s it? That’s the big favor? Jack, I’d love to go to Colorado with you. That’s not a favor, that’s a goddamn vacation.”
His lips twitched, but the tension didn’t leave his shoulders. “There’s more to it than that.” He stopped again.
“Lay it on me. The suspense is killing me.”
“I need you to come with me as my fiancée.”
“Your what now?” The word hung between us, unexpected and slightly surreal.
“My fiancée,” he repeated. “I need my family to believe we’re engaged.”
I blinked, trying to process this sudden twist. “So... you want to fake an engagement? Like an upgraded version of what we’re already doing with my family?”
Jack nodded, relief visibly washing over him at my calm reaction. “Exactly. It’s just for the weekend. Four days at most.”
“Okay,” I said simply. “I’ll do it.”
Jack stared at me. “Just like that?”
“Just like that.” I smiled, my head spinning a little at the switch from anxious to relieved, to maybe a little excited, in the span of a few short minutes.
“Besides, you’re doing me a favor too. A get out of Thanksgiving card with my family is greatly appreciated. Megan has still not recovered from me missing the girls weekend.”
His expression darkened. “Hold that thought until you’ve actually met my family.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Worse.” There was no humor in his voice.
“Well, Thanksgiving with the Sullivans it is. At least we’ll be suffering together.” I raised my glass in a mock toast. “To family drama.”
