Chapter 28


    “I know this is out of nowhere,” Nigel stated, raking a hand through his hair, clearly stressed.


    She’d only known him a short time, but she’d never seen him this flustered. Clearly he was in a bind


    and wasn’t any morefortable asking her than she was being invited. She also had to assume that


    he wouldn’t havee to her had he’d had another choice.


    “My grandmother is quite persistent,” he added, his dark eyes pleading with her.


    “But, what about my job here?” she asked, still reeling from the out-of-the-blue request. “I mean, what


    will everyone think? First I’m hired as a consultant, then I’m put in charge of heading up the marketing


    for the wedding episode that may or may not happen, then I go to an award ceremony with you and


    now a family wedding back at your home?”


    Her mind was spinning just saying all of this out loud. Talk about a whirlwind experience. But the


    biggest issue for her was the thing she didn’t dare say aloud—between getting swept up with Nigel and


    his charm and sex appeal, and her inability to deny him anything, she was running out of time to


    uncover information on Miranda. Every angle she’d tried ended up a dead end. Everyone she spoke to


    absolutely loved the woman.


    “I know it looks crazy... It is crazy,” he amended, reaching for her hands. “Nobody here has to know


    about where we’re actually going. I can say I have you going on a trip to scout potential locations for


    the show.”


    More lying. For someone who used to pride herself on honesty, she’d fallen down the rabbit hole of


    deceit and she wasn’t sure she’d find her way back out anytime soon.


    If she went away with him, Sophie knew they’d pick up where they’d left off the other night... That both


    thrilled and terrified her. She’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted Nigel and that was what


    scared her most. How could she ever let him go?


    Nigel’s strong hands held hers as he continued to stare at her, imploring her with his eyes.


    “How long will we be gone?” she asked.


    A toe-curling smile spread across his face. “Five days.”


    Five days in an English countryside estate with a man she was quickly falling for, during which she’d


    have to pretend to be his girlfriend so his family would get off his back. Seriously, what could go wrong?


    Sophie had lied to get to this point and now she was taking this acting skill on an international tour.


    What would her brothers think when she told them about this venture?


    Maybe she should keep this part to herself. She didn’t want to use Nigel. That part kept niggling at her.


    She may be lying in her position here, but she wasn’t lying about her growing feelings or attraction. She


    wasn’t that good of an actress. But all of these emotions werepletely unexpected and causing


    issues she hadn’t nned on.


    “I don’t want to pressure you,” he told her. “I just didn’t want to ask anyone else.”


    The fact he trusted her with meeting his family and only added to her shame. He was being so


    transparent with his life with her, as far as she knew, and she was aplete phony.


    Yet she couldn’t say no. She wanted to spend more time with the man who made her wish this were all


    real. He made her daydream about a real rtionship, a real attraction...a real affair instead of one


    based on lies.


    “I’ll do it,” she told him. “I’ll go to Ennd.”


    Nigel’s shoulders rxed as he stepped closer her and gripped her hands to his chest. “You will love


    my home and my family. Dame ire can be overwhelming at times, but she does everything out of


    love.”


    Sophie wasn’t sure how she’d deal with arge, loving family and a doting grandmother...especially one


    with a title. Sure, she and her brothers were close, and she’d loved her her mother, but the rtionship


    with her father just left her feeling broken.


    What would her life be like if she had a close rtionship with her father? Maybe the oue of the


    will would’ve been different and Sophie and her brothers would have had their legacy given to them.


    She only had her brothers now and they were depending on her. Even though Ken had said she


    coulde home, she didn’t want to let them down. She wanted to be the one to make everything


    right. She wanted to give them back what had been taken away.


    “What should I pack for this wedding?” Sophie asked, ignoring the ring horns and red gs in her


    head.


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    Nigel quirked a brow. “I’ve got everything covered. My jet will be ready to go Wednesday morning and


    your dresses and jewelry will be on board.”


    And Sophie fell just a little deeper into this Pretty Woman scenario.


    * * *


    Central Park was absolutely gorgeous in the winter. Freezing, but breathtaking and so picturesque.


    Sophie huddled deeper into her coat as she walked along the curved path through the park. The brisk


    air gave her a freshness that she didn’t find in Texas heat. Besides, she’d wanted to get out of the


    office and take a much-needed break.


    She’d tried calling Vaughn, but she’d only gotten his voice mail. She stopped at a park bench that had


    been cleaned off and took a seat, pulling out her phone to call Ken.