Valiant: Shining Knight Protectors Book 1: A Sweet, Christian, Friends to Forever Romantic Suspense by Madison Love

Author:Madison Love [Love , Madison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-02-15T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter sixteen

Leanna

I was grateful that Carter gave me the choice, giving me some semblance of control even though I knew I would do whatever I could to give my family a sense of peace. My hesitancy in agreeing to “fake date” Carter isn’t because I don’t want to. I just know that there is no way I can pretend. I’m afraid he’ll see through me and run away faster than I can blink.

After the meeting ends, the ladies in the room pull me aside for a private conversation. Mom, Callie, Daphne, and I follow Amelia into a separate conference room while the guys talk security and logistics.

As soon as the doors close, my mother pulls me into a hug and simply holds me while I get myself together. Overwhelmed by everything that’s been happening lately, I inadvertently let a few tears fall. I always try to be strong when faced with adversity, but sometimes, the bottle has to be uncorked. The past few days, after holding everything in, I’ve been shaken up and feel like I’m ready to explode. The motherly hug lets the pressure slowly release so that doesn’t happen.

“I’m okay,” I tell her, stepping back and seeing all the faces staring at me with sympathy, especially Callie, who has been down this road before. She walks over and puts her arm around my shoulders.

“Tell me what’s really bothering you about this whole thing, Layleebug,” she demands lightly, using a nickname she hasn’t said since I was seven.

I shrug my shoulders, not entirely sure. “I don’t know. I thought I was handling everything just fine.”

“Is it because of Carter?” Amelia asks. “Is it the ‘fake relationship’ arrangement that has you worried? Because honestly, it’s a good thing.”

“I want to believe you, but…”

“No buts about it!” Daphne states emphatically. “The way I see it, this is the perfect opportunity for Carter to see how great a relationship with the world’s best sister is without the risk! The same could be said in reverse, too. You can see if you and Carter are compatible romantically and not just as friends.”

“Hey! I’m your sister, too!” Callie shouts playfully.

Daphne looks chagrined and tries to back-peddle. “You’re the best oldest sister. Leanna is the best youngest sister. It’s all a matter of perspective.”

Callie smirks. “I can accept that.”

Amelia laughs, then turns to me, “If you truly aren’t okay with the arrangement, I can go talk to my brother and husband, and we’ll figure something else out. But Daphne is right. This is a chance for you to explore the possibility of a romantic connection without the added pressure of actually being in a relationship. If things don’t work out, you both can go back to pretending to be ‘just friends.’”

“Look how a fake engagement turned out for me! I have a husband and a beautiful daughter out of the deal. Maybe you can get your ‘happily ever after’ as well,” Callie says excitedly.

Amelia giggles. “I’d like to think I played a small part in that.

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