Some Like It Charming (A Temporary Engagement) by Megan Bryce

material of the dress flaring out. If she pretended it wasn’t her, she could admire it. Her legs did look pretty good.
    And with her blond hair she was nearly unrecognizable. You’d have to look close to know it was her. For one moment she thought she might be able to pull this off without destroying her reputation and sense of self.
    And then the doorbell rang and she thought, W ho am I kidding ? She was engaged to Ethan Howell O’Connor. She was going to have to change her name and move out of the country when this farce was finished.
    She went to answer the door but Cassandra had beaten her to it. Ethan held Cassandra’s hand in his own and was smiling down into her eyes. She was looking up with a stupid expression on her face and Mackenzie knew he had conquered one more hapless female.
    She couldn’t really fault Cassandra. He was dressed in a dark gray suit, a light lavender shirt and silver tie, and he looked expensive and sexy. Mackenzie couldn’t help but think that she liked him better in a short-sleeve t-shirt and sweats.
    He looked up when she walked into the room and his mouth fell open. His eyes widened as he looked at her hair, then he looked down at her legs. “I’ve never seen you in a dress before.”
    He blinked and shook his head. “I mean, you look beautiful. Ellen told me what colors to wear, but neglected to mention the change to your hair.”
    He stepped toward her, reaching for her hands and holding them wide so he could see her dress. Cassandra stepped behind him, widening her eyes and fanning herself. She mouthed, “He’s hot!”
    Mackenzie ignored her and glared at Ethan.
    He smiled. “Truly. You look lovely.”
    She pursed her lips. “I’m going to change into pants. I don’t know what your grandmother was thinking. She said she wasn’t going to turn me into a Barbie.”
    He chuckled and pulled her hand through his arm. “Cranky already? Good thing I brought you a Twix. It’s in the limo.”
    “Limo?”
    “We’re celebrating our engagement. The limo keeps my hands free.”
    She glared at him as he pulled her out the door and he turned around to wink at Cassandra. “Don’t wait up.”

    Ethan ushered Mackenzie out to the waiting limo, trying not to stare at her legs or her hair. Or any points in between. He’d seen legs before, for God’s sake.
    But never hers.
    And her suddenly blond hair was throwing him off balance. He could tell by Mackenzie’s cranky glare that she was not happy with the transformation.
    He’d have to ask his grandmother how that had happened. Call him psychic, but he thought it would be better not to bring up today’s shopping trip.
    Ethan helped her into the limo, adjusting his pants before he got in. There wasn’t going to be any problem showing some heat for the paparazzi. Maybe that’s what his grandmother had been thinking.
    Of course, he might be feeling the heat, but Mackenzie was looking antagonistic. She sat with her arms folded across her chest, staring out the window. Trying to explode cars with her gaze.
    He held a Twix out to her. “A sweet for my sweet?”
    When she reached for it, he pulled back. “Smile first. We’re engaged. We’re supposed to be happy, not homicidal.”
    “Do you know what I’ve done today? Emptied my office, listened to three people wonder at our sex life, sat in a chair getting my hair dyed for three hours, and spent an uncomfortable lunch with your mother. I’m exhausted and you want a smile? You’re lucky I don’t stab you in the eye with my keys.”
    He handed her the Twix. “Here. We can stop and get more if that doesn’t do the trick.”
    He reached into his suit pocket and handed her a cellphone. “And here. Welcome to the twenty-first century.”
    Mackenzie stared at it glumly. “Great. Just what I’ve always wanted.”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know how you’ve done all your sales without a cellphone.”
    “I sit at my desk and don’t do anything else until the day is done.