Amara sat in the cozy corner of her favorite café, nursing her cappuccino and watching the light drizzle outside. The rain had always had a calming effect on her, but today, her mind was anything but calm. The conversation she had with Noah a week ago had left her feeling conflicted.
Noah Bennett had come into her life like a whirlwind—a charming, successful entrepreneur who somehow knew exactly what to say to pique her interest. But what truly set him apart was the proposition he had laid out before her: he wanted her to pretend to be his fiancée.
Amara scoffed as she replayed the conversation in her mind. It was absurd. Ridiculous, even. But beneath the initial shock, there was a part of her that was intrigued. Noah had offered something in return, something that had struck a chord deep within her.
"You help me fulfill my family's tradition, and in return, I'll help you get the funding for your business expansion," Noah had said, his voice steady and his eyes focused on hers.
She had built her career from the ground up—Amara Collins was no stranger to hard work. Her consulting firm was thriving, but she had always dreamed of taking it to the next level. Noah had connections, and he was offering her an opportunity she knew would take years to secure on her own.
But the idea of playing fiancée to a man she barely knew? That was where the dilemma lay.
As Amara sipped her cappuccino, the door to the café jingled. She looked up, and her heart skipped a beat. Noah walked in, looking effortlessly stylish in a tailored suit, his dark hair slightly damp from the rain. He spotted her almost immediately, and as their eyes met, Amara knew there was no avoiding this conversation any longer.
He approached her with a smile that made her stomach flip. "Amara," he greeted, pulling out the chair opposite her. "I'm glad you came."
"I didn't exactly have a choice, did I?" she replied, raising an eyebrow.
Noah chuckled, though there was a seriousness in his eyes. "I won't push you into anything you're uncomfortable with. But I wanted to talk this through. We can make this work in a way that benefits both of us."
Amara leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "You're asking me to lie to your family. How exactly do you expect this to play out?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated. My family is… traditional, to put it mildly. My grandmother—she's the matriarch of the family—has this notion that it's time I settle down. The annual Bennett family gathering is coming up, and she's made it clear she expects me to bring someone… special."
"And you think I'm the perfect candidate?" Amara asked, her skepticism clear.
"I think you're the only person I trust enough to pull this off," Noah replied, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not looking for a real relationship right now, but I need someone to play the part. I need someone strong, independent, and smart—someone who can hold their own with my family."
Amara frowned. "You could ask any woman you know to do this. Why me?"
Noah leaned forward, his expression softening. "Because I know you can handle it. And because I can help you. I've looked into your business, Amara. You're on the verge of something great, but you need backing, don't you?"
Her stomach twisted. He wasn't wrong. She had been working tirelessly to secure the funding for her firm's expansion. Noah's connections could open doors she hadn't even thought of.
"I don't know…" Amara muttered, unsure of how to respond. It was tempting—too tempting. But there was so much at stake.
"I'm not asking for forever," Noah said quietly. "Just a few months. Enough to get through the family gathering and show my grandmother I'm taking her seriously. After that, we go our separate ways."
Amara stared into her cappuccino, her mind racing. It was an outrageous proposition. But there was something about Noah's sincerity that made her believe he wasn't just playing games. He genuinely needed her help.
And maybe, just maybe, she needed his.
With a deep breath, Amara met his gaze. "Alright," she said slowly. "I'll do it."