Hello My Fake Fiancé (Book 1 Hello Series)

HMFF2-Dream? You Mean Nightmare

Chapter 2....Dream? You Mean Nightmare

Danielle

I wake up the next morning feeling like I've been hit by a bus. I guess that's what happens when you don't get home from a night at the hospital until three a.m. and have to wake up for work at six. I don't know how I did this in college—pulling all-nighters and working extra shifts. Well, my college days are definitely over, that's for sure. My body aches in places I didn't even know existed. Being an adult and growing older definitely has its disadvantages.

I rummage through my closet, searching for something decent to wear. Since it's Friday, I decide to wear jeans but dress them up with a fancy tee and a cardigan. I don't want to look too comfortable. After applying my makeup, the bags under my eyes aren't as noticeable. I sigh when my clock reads six-thirty. That means it's time to hit the road. My second graders will just have to deal with my appearance today. Thankfully, one advantage of teaching elementary students is that they don't judge you for the way you look. They're sweet no matter what.

When I arrive at school, I immediately notice a package sitting on my desk. Dr. Sexy is already up and roaring to play along with this charade. But why does his charade have to involve my place of work? There's a massive bouquet of red roses on my desk. Dr. Conn must have looked at my file to figure out where I work.

There's a card tucked into the bouquet. It reads, and I quote: "Make sure you brag about the flowers to your coworkers, and tell them that they are from your fiancé when they ask. —Dawson."

Ah, so Dr. Sexy—excuse me, Dawson, my fiancé—actually has a first name. Good to know. That would've been awkward if I had to pretend to be his fiancée without knowing his first name. I laugh softly to myself. When does he have time to come up with all of this? Does he even sleep? Just then, my phone lights up and starts buzzing. I answer it without even thinking.

"Hello, my fake fiancé," Dawson greets.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

"Good morning to you too, hun," I tease, silently making a gagging motion.

"Good, you're already acting. Did you get the roses?" he asks.

"Yes, I did. Thank you very much," I laugh. I have to admit, the flowers are beautiful.

"Did you get the present that went with it?" he asks. I frown, puzzled. Then I spot a small box sitting on my desk. I open it hesitantly, and inside is a ring box. Slowly, I lift the lid, almost afraid to look. Sure enough, there's a massive, sparkly engagement ring staring back at me. The rock is so big that I gasp out loud.

"I'm taking that gasp as confirmation you found it. Now put that ring on your finger, and don't take it off," Dawson says firmly.

"Is this really necessary?" I question. The ring is breathtaking, but it's totally not my style. I like things that are a little less... showy.

"No one is going to believe it unless they see the ring, darling," he purrs. He has a point, and I almost melt at how he calls me darling. I know this is all part of the act, but he sounds so damn sexy over the phone. "Anyway, I'll see you later today. Brag about how wonderful I am." And then he hangs up.

I sigh, grab the ring, and slide it onto my ring finger. Of course, it fits perfectly. I'm admiring it when Suzie walks into my classroom. The moment she sees my hand, her eyes go wide, and she gasps.

"That's a freaking huge rock!" she exclaims.

"Thank you. I think my fiancé did a good job, too," I lie, the words feeling foreign in my mouth. The word fiancé doesn't settle well in my stomach. My brain wants to blurt out: this random, sexy doctor I met last night.