Engaging The Enemy. Reese Ryan

      Kayleigh wasn’t looking forward to combing through her calendar to schedule ten dates with Parker Abbott any more than he seemed to be.

      “That’s a reasonable way to settle this, but I think we should allow for flexibility on the time of the ‘date.’” She used air quotes, too.

      Parker grunted his agreement without looking up.

      “How about Sunday afternoons?” she offered.

      “We have our family dinner on Sundays.” Parker frowned. “How about Wednesday evenings?”

      “In the middle of the week?” Now it was Kayleigh’s turn to frown. “That’s when I do most of my metalwork, and I’m in the studio pretty late, so that won’t work for me.”

      Parker stared up from his datebook. “Saturday afternoons?”

      “I can make Saturday work.” Kayleigh opened the calendar app on her phone. She’d gotten some part-time help on the weekends; otherwise she would’ve had to work on Saturday afternoons.

      Parker stroked his goatee as he contemplated the calendar. Kayleigh couldn’t help studying his handsome features. Neat, thick brows framed his pensive, dark eyes. Full, kissable lips tugged down in an ever-present frown. His slim-cut gray suit accentuated his long, lean frame.

      Okay, so she could definitely see why some women might consider Parker Abbott’s handsome-geek-chic look hot.

      “How long will these dates be?” Parker skipped the air quotes this time, but his tone indicated that they were implied.

      “We should allow for flexibility, but two to three hours on average should give us time to rehearse our story and get to know each other.”

      “Agreed.” Parker made careful notes in his datebook. “How do we decide what we’ll do on each date?”

      “We’ll take turns choosing.” Kayleigh shrugged.

      “Seems fair.” Parker nodded. “Why don’t you choose first?”

      “Actually, I have a suggestion for your first date,” Savannah interjected.

      They both turned toward her.

      “Blake and I want you to come to our house. Nothing fancy, just homemade pizza and a friendly board game or two, after we iron out your story.”

      “Story?” The lines in Parker’s forehead deepened.

      “How you two met, why you fell in love with her, your plans for the wedding. The kinds of questions that Kayleigh’s friend and her—” Savannah paused when Kayleigh frowned and subtly shook her head “—family are sure to ask.”

      “I have an excellent memory.” Parker tapped his temple.

      “It’s not about repeating data verbatim, Parker.” Savannah was remarkably patient with him. Perhaps because she was the only person in the room accustomed to managing the whims of a toddler. “You must be convincing when you say it.”

      Parker didn’t acknowledge Savannah’s statement, but he didn’t object either. In Kayleigh’s book, that was progress.

      “Besides, it’s a low-stress way for you two to ease into this arrangement,” Savannah added.

      “Sounds reasonable.” Parker jotted the appointment down in his book. “What time should we be there?”

      After the time was set, Duke stepped in to move the process along. He reiterated that the confidentiality agreement prevented her from discussing the deal with anyone other than Savannah or the six members of the King’s Finest executive board: Duke, Blake, Parker, Max, Zora and founder Joseph Abbott. She wasn’t even permitted to discuss the arrangement with his wife, Iris. Though they wouldn’t share the details of the project, it was to be a surprise for her.

      “Won’t she wonder why Parker and I are suddenly spending so much time together?” Kayleigh frowned.

      “She’s always hoped that you two would try and repair your friendship.” Savannah smiled warmly. “So, as far as Iris is concerned, this is Project Friendship.”

      Kayleigh had zero interest in trying to resurrect a friendship that had been in tatters for far longer than it had existed. But if that would make Iris feel better, fine.

      Once the paperwork was signed, Kayleigh shook Duke’s hand, then Parker’s.

      There was something in his firm handshake and piercing gaze that sent a shiver down her spine. She hugged Savannah and quickly excused herself, eager to make her way back to her Jeep. When she did, she sank into the driver’s seat and leaned against the headrest.

      Had she really been ogling Parker Abbott? And had he been doing the same?

      No, of course not. She despised Parker and he obviously felt the same way about her. It wasn’t attraction; it was nerves, plain and simple. She’d insisted on Parker being the one to escort her to Kira’s wedding because with him there would be no blurring of the lines. She could count on Parker to keep their dealings strictly business. And she needed to do the same.

      Ten dates, then one week together on the island. Afterward they’d both walk away with exactly what they wanted.

      Negotiating the deal had been the easy part. Getting to know each other well enough to make Kira and her family believe they were a couple in love and engaged to be married...that was the hard part.

      But she’d do it, no matter what. Because the looks of pity she’d garner from her ex and his family if she arrived alone were something she simply couldn’t endure.