The Boss's Fake Fiancee by Inara Scott

guilt.
    Dear God, how could they lie to this woman?
    On the other hand, how could they not ?
    “Please,” Melissa said. “No apologies necessary.”
    Nan’s gaze dropped to Melissa’s left hand. “Is that…would you mind…”
    Melissa laughed at her obvious intent. “Of course not.” She held out her hand for inspection.
    Nan gave a happy sigh as she leaned over and examined the ring. “It’s absolutely beautiful.” She looked up at Garth, and Melissa saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes. “Where did you find it?”
    “Ten,” Garth said.
    Nan smiled. “I met Tennyson years ago,” she said. She gripped Melissa’s hand tightly in her own. “He was working for some other store back then, and he helped me pick out a watch for Garth for his twenty-first birthday. Garth asked him for help finding a brooch for me and they’ve been working together ever since. Every year, they find something special for me for Christmas. Just like my Arthur used to, when he was alive.” She cast a fond glance at Garth. “It’s terribly extravagant, but—”
    “But you love it,” Garth finished.
    “I do.” She rubbed the side of her thumb across the face of Melissa’s ring. Her fingers were gnarled and twisted, arthritic knuckles protruding from the delicate skin. “And it’s perfect for your fiancée.” She turned to Melissa. “Please, sit down.”
    Melissa sank into a comfortable armchair beside the bed as Nan continued. “Now, you’ll think me terribly nosy, but I’m hoping you’ll tell me all about how you and Garth met and fell in love. It must have been so sudden!”
    A rush of heat burned Melissa’s cheeks. “Well…” She hesitated for a moment, half-hoping that Garth would break in with the story. When he did not, she fumbled ahead. “We, ah, work together. Garth hired me about three months ago to work at Solen Labs.”
    Nan nodded. “I read that in the Star Herald . I think that makes perfect sense, frankly. I’ve never understood why people say that a woman shouldn’t marry her boss. Why not? They’ve got a lot in common.”
    “I believe that’s called sexual harassment these days, Nan,” Garth observed dryly.
    “Pish,” Nan said, with a dismissive wave. “You could never harass anyone.”
    “You can tell that to the jury.”
    Nan ignored him and gazed back at Melissa. “And you must be smart if he hired you. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly, does he?”
    Melissa chuckled. “No, that’s for sure.”
    “But it is rather unusual for him to date someone from work,” Nan said. She turned to Garth, her eyes dancing with excitement. “Tell me, when did you know she was the one?”
    Garth paused just long enough for Melissa to squirm. They probably should have practiced answers to these sorts of questions. It would only take a few mistakes for the press—and her family—to start asking questions.
    “Right from the start,” Garth said. “I tried to keep it professional, but we had a few late nights at the office, and then got to talking…” He shrugged. “The rest is history.”
    Melissa wanted to roll her eyes at his uninspired telling. That was supposed to explain a whirlwind, three-month romance? The man had absolutely no imagination.
    She leaned toward Nan with a mischievous grin. “I don’t care what people say, your grandson is a true romantic. For weeks he’s been showering me with gifts. Flowers, chocolates—even a robotic vacuum cleaner! And then there were the romantic evenings, the private dinners at restaurants, all carefully orchestrated to keep it a secret. Garth was worried if the press got involved it would ruin everything. He’s everything a girl could ask for. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
    Garth cleared his throat. “Of course. Anything for you.”
    “You didn’t let anyone know?” Nan asked. She was practically twitching with excitement.
    Melissa sighed. “You can’t imagine how hard it was—I almost died trying to keep it to myself. Being in the