1

“Would you be my fiancé?”

Troy McKnight stared at the woman who had asked the question. With crystals hanging around her neck, dangling silver earrings and a flowery print dress on, she looked out of place in the trendy San Francisco microbrewery. Her wide, blue eyes and heart-shaped face were attractive in a Haight-Ashbury, flower child sort of way. Freckles dotted her nose, and she wore no makeup. Not exactly the type of fiancée he was hoping to find someday.

He knew nothing about her, not even her name. She’d come up to him, said hello and asked her question. A question he barely heard over the din of the bar crowd. He didn’t know if the woman had been serious or if he’d drunk one beer too many. He only remembered ordering one—the half-filled cold glass he held in his hand. “Excuse me, but what did you say?”

Releasing a sigh, she brushed her long, wavy blond hair behind her shoulder. “Would you be my fiancé? Just for tonight, of course.”

She said it so matter-of-factly her proposition sounded almost logical. At least he knew it wasn’t the beer; he’d heard her right the first time.

Troy took a swig, savoring the cool liquid as it ran down his throat. After a rough day at the office, all he wanted was a drink and another quiet evening at home, nothing else.

Hell, she hadn’t introduced herself. She could be a scam artist, a she-devil in disguise, and he the target. Even without lipstick, her full lips were luscious enough to seduce unknowing prey. Troy set his glass on the bar. “Why do you need a fiancé for tonight?”

“It’s a long story.” She reached for his hand, pushed back the arm of his suit and read the time on his Rolex. Her sunshine and sunflower scent cut through the beer and smoke stench of the brewery. “I don’t have time to explain.”

“You’re asking for a lot without providing any explanation.”

She rolled her eyes. “I got myself into a jam with my family. It’s only one dinner. My father will pay, so it won’t cost you a penny.”

Troy hesitated, unsure if he bought her explanation. The woman was attractive enough; she would have no problem finding a real fiancé.

“Look, will you be my fiancé or not?” The edges of her mouth turned up slightly. “I hate to be impatient, but if you say no, I have to find someone else.”

She glanced around the bar as if she were looking for her next target. In the jam-packed brewery, she could easily find someone else. Men with rolled-up sleeves and loosened ties stood at nearby tables, relaxing after long hours at the office. Flattered she’d picked him over all the others, his ego swelled. Was he her first choice? He didn’t know, and he wondered why the thought bothered him.

Troy didn’t know why he was considering posing as her fiancé. The woman had appeared out of nowhere, yet he couldn’t deny his curiosity about her and her strange proposition. The concern and sense of urgency in her eyes rang true, but he never took risks. Spontaneity wasn’t part of his plan.

Staring at him, she waited for his answer by tapping her unpainted fingernails against the oak bar.

If he said no, she seemed to have no qualms about asking another man to be her fiancé for the night. He doubted she was a con artist. She looked too much like an innocent love child with a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. In a meat market like this, a veritable smorgasbord of male testosterone, she could end up with anyone.

At least she would be safe with him.

“This is important to you, isn’t it?”

As she tilted her chin, her earrings chimed. “Yes.”

A free dinner, an attractive woman. It almost sounded too easy. Troy thought of Judy White, who worked in the office next to his. Now she was his type. He’d seen Judy’s fiancé pick her up this afternoon. For three years, Troy had wanted to ask her out, but he’d been too busy working to take the time. Now she was engaged to someone else, and he was sitting in a bar with a total stranger. What the hell, maybe he needed a little adventure in his life. “Okay.”

She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “Oh, thank you.”

Her impulsiveness surprised him. Troy noticed the envious glances of other men in the bar. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

Grabbing his arm, she pulled him off his bar stool. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”

So fast? What had he gotten himself into? Troy hesitated, unsure if he wanted to experience an adventure tonight. “I need to pay for my beer, first.”

Before Troy could reach his wallet, she opened her purse, a multicolored cloth pouch with drawstrings, and pulled out a five-dollar bill. “Will this cover it?”

“Yes.” A woman paying? A first for him.

She tossed the money on the bar. “Is there anything else?”

He wanted to say yes. Stop. “No.”

“Let’s go.” She led him out the double glass doors.

A cool breeze blew off the San Francisco Bay. Cars sped by on the Embarcadero. To his right, the lights on the double-decker Bay Bridge twinkled in the evening sky. The pleasant autumn weather was a refreshing change from a day spent in a skyscraper.

“Do you have a car?” she asked.

“Not with me.”

She rubbed her temples. “We’ll have to take a taxi.”

“Where are we—”

“I’ll explain everything in a minute.” She flagged down a yellow cab. “Stars, please.”

Troy followed her into the cab. Stars…he would be getting a good dinner tonight. The restaurant was one of the best in the city, known for creating mouthwatering dishes and attracting a crowd of see-and-be-seen patrons.

As the cab pulled away from the curb, she laughed. “I’m going to pull this off.”

He watched her for a moment. Her unrestrained joy, her boundless energy captivated him. He’d never met anyone like her.

She wet her lower lip. “I don’t know your name.”

“Troy McKnight.”

“Troy McKnight.” She repeated his name twice. “I like it. Well, Troy. I hope you don’t mind me calling you that? After all, we are engaged.”

The cabdriver coughed, and Troy ignored him. “Would you mind telling me your name?”

“I’m Cassandra.”

Such a serious and formal name for such a lighthearted person. The name Cassie fit her personality much better. “Cassandra what?”

“Oh sorry, I usually go by my first name. Daniels, Cassandra Daniels.” She took a deep breath. “I can’t believe I found you, and you said yes.”

“Why do you need a fiancé?”

She hesitated, drawing her honey gold eyebrows together.

“I need to know what’s going on, otherwise…”

“You’re right.” She paused. “Okay, here’s what happened. We met three weeks ago, fell madly in love and got engaged. My parents decided they had to meet the man who swept me off my feet, so they called this morning and told me they were driving up from Carmel to have dinner with us.”

“Are your parents retired?”

“My mother thinks so, but my father has his own business and isn’t ready for full-time retirement.”

“What happened to the real fiancé?”

“What real fiancé?”

“I assume you told your family about a real engagement.”

“No,” Cassandra said. “I made it up.”

She wasn’t a compulsive liar, was she? “You told your family you were engaged when you weren’t?”

She nodded.

“Why?”

She shrugged. “It seemed like the thing to do at the time. Sometimes, I’m, uh, impulsive.” She smiled mischievously as if sharing a childhood secret.

He laughed. “I never would’ve guessed.”

“I want to thank you, Troy.” Her eyes shone with gratitude. “I could tell you were a nice guy. You have this wonderful aura.”

Aura? He didn’t know people who used words like that. Was she one of those New Agers? She did wear crystals, and she must be a little flaky to need a lastminute fiancé. Given he’d agreed to her crazy scheme, who was he to judge? Besides, too late to go back now. Tomorrow morning, he would be at the office working long hours. He could look back on tonight and laugh.

A smile lit up her beautiful face. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t said yes.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Troy tried not to stare at her, but found it difficult. Especially with the way her dress was pulled tight across her chest, accentuating her full breasts.

Tonight looked better and better. He’d been working hard, trying to close the Micro-Psi deal and get offered a partnership with his firm. Life consisted of more than reading balance sheets and making deals. He was no different from any other red-blooded male. He needed a little rest and relaxation, too.

“No, it is a big deal.” She squeezed his hand. “You’re my McKnight in shining armor.”

“At your service, milady. We McKnights aim to please.” He wasn’t sure if it was the full moon or her perfume, but he found her playful spirit contagious. When was the last time he’d had fun? Troy couldn’t remember. “By the way, is there anything else I should know about tonight?”

“You should know a little about me.” As she paused, she bit her lower lip. “Let’s see. My favorite color is purple. I love flowers and hot fudge sundaes. I’m not a vegetarian because I love a good hamburger every now and then. Cooked medium, of course. I think people who won’t eat veal, but eat chicken are hypocrites. I love reading books. I like one hundred percent cotton sheets and I sleep in the nude.”

Stunned, Troy stared at her. She’d spoken so fast. Hot fudge sundaes and sleeping in the nude. His temperature rose a few degrees at the images filling his mind. He crossed his legs.

“What about you?”

He couldn’t think straight. He needed to cool down. “Uh, I like ice cream.”

“Chocolate’s my favorite. What else?”

Troy stared into her eyes and found himself transfixed as if he were being hypnotized.

“Any sports?”

“I like football.”

“What’s your favorite color?”

Her eyes were the color of a cloudless, summer sky. “Blue.”

She patted his hand. “Don’t worry, we can make it up as we go along.”

What was wrong with him? He felt out of sync. Almost dizzy. Maybe he needed something to eat.

The cab slowed as it approached the restaurant. Cassandra handed the driver a ten-dollar bill and slid out of the cab. “Are you ready?”

Why not? Troy cleared his throat. “Sure.”

Cassandra brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and straightened his tie. She took his hand in hers. “Don’t forget, we’re madly in love.”

Her small hand fit snugly in his. Madly in love? Maybe they were just mad.

Without giving Troy time to change his mind, Cassandra bolted into the restaurant, pulling him with her. Hiding her nervousness was difficult. She wasn’t a good actress, but if she pulled off tonight she should get an Oscar for her performance.

Cassandra searched for her family, but didn’t see them standing at the carved Honduras mahogany bar. She did catch a glimpse of Troy’s reflection in a mirror.

Luck was on her side tonight; he was perfect, exactly the fiancé she’d hoped to find. His navy Italian suit was top-of-the-line, silk cashmere if she guessed right, and custom-made. He even wore a Rolex.

With his high cheekbones and sculpted features, Troy looked like a Kennedy. All he needed was a different haircut. Still, she liked the way his almostout-of-control curly brown hair added character to his all-American good looks.

Her picky parents would find little fault with Troy McKnight. They would give their seal of approval and stop interfering in her personal life. After tonight, their endless advice and matchmaking would stop. She’d be back on her own.

She smiled, pleased with herself. She’d found the perfect fiancé. Her sister, Emily, would be jealous, too. An added bonus. Cassandra didn’t care what her brother-in-law, Eric, thought, as long as he didn’t voice his opinion. She’d heard all she wanted to hear from Eric Wainwright. She’d be happier if she never had to see him again.

The hostess, an attractive woman with flaming red hair, led them to their table. Waiters hurried around with steaming plates of food and bottles of wine. The scent of basil and garlic drifted in the air. Cassandra hadn’t eaten all day and was starving.

She didn’t see an empty table in the crowded restaurant. The noise of spirited conversations rose from the tables, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Not like at the Brewery where people went to be picked up. She hated that place, but she had found Troy there.

“Here’s your party,” the hostess said. “Enjoy your dinner, Ms. Daniels.”

“Thank you.” Cassandra took in the image of her family sitting at the table. They looked like a family from a magazine ad or a soap opera. She had tried fitting in, but realized that wasn’t who she was. Maybe someday they would understand and accept the choices she’d made. Then again…

Her mother, Vanessa Daniels, wore a black St. John knit—her trademark. Every strand of her platinum hair was in place and her brilliant diamond earrings sparkled for all to admire. She was a stunning woman who looked like she was forty years old, not pushing sixty. Vanessa worked out every day to keep in shape. What would she do if she ever became a grandmother? Cassandra couldn’t imagine her mother letting anyone call her grandma.

“I told you she would come, Emily,” her mother crooned. “And look, her beau does exist.”

Cassandra winced. She would show her parents she could find her own man. She didn’t need their help, their interference.

“Sorry, we’re late.” Cassandra clutched Troy’s warm, strong hand. She not only needed a fiancé tonight, but she also needed someone to give her emotional support. “Troy and I were making out in the back of the cab so I had the driver make an extra circle around the Civic Center.”

Her mother blushed. “Cassandra, really.”

“Don’t worry, Vanessa.” Her father, the venerable Dixon Daniels, downed his drink. His once-blond hair had turned gray and he could stand to lose about thirty pounds, but he was still handsome with sparkling, cornflower blue eyes and a cheerful smile. “At least this one looks normal. Unless there are hidden tattoos or pierced body parts under that suit.”

Cassandra leaned over and kissed her father’s tan cheek. The familiar scent of his aftershave filled her nostrils and brought back fond memories of her childhood. She might be the black sheep of the family, but she would always be daddy’s little girl. “There’s nothing hidden except a body to die for, Daddy.”

“Cassandra, really.” Her uptight sister, Emily, echoed their mother’s favorite expression. “Don’t you have any class?”

Class? Emily was mentioning class? “No, you got all of that when they divided the DNA.”

Her fraternal twin, Emily was two minutes older, an inch taller and fifteen pounds lighter. She’d dyed her light brown hair jet black and wore it pulled back in a chignon. Her chic black dress shouted designer collection, but the sophisticated style didn’t suit her. Two twins couldn’t be more opposite. They had shared nothing except the same birth date, until Eric Wainwright.

Eric. Seeing him now, he looked pathetic. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he looked uncomfortable. A short, boring corporate hairstyle had replaced his luscious mane of blond hair. The hair—that’s what had attracted Cassandra to him in the first place. It had given him a wildness and an edge that were missing now.

He’d reminded her of Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall. She’d made the mistake of telling Eric that and he’d used the information to create a nineties version of the character Tristan. Who could blame her for falling in love with him?

But Cassandra had learned the nights riding on the back of his motorcycle and watching falling stars were only acts. Eric wanted a successful career. She had been his key, until he met Emily. In hindsight, things had worked out for the best. Cassandra only hoped he made her sister happy.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your betrothed, sweetheart?” Dixon asked.

Her betrothed. Troy. With so much goodwill at the table, she’d almost forgotten the real reason for the family get-together—meeting her fiancé. As she cuddled against his firm, wide chest, his muscles tensed. “Troy, this is my family. Family, this is Troy McKnight, the man of my dreams.”

After formal introductions, Cassandra and Troy sat. For several uncomfortable minutes, no one said anything. Cassandra ate a slice of bread before her stomach growled. She drank her entire glass of water, trying to wash away the dryness in her throat. The waiter came, took everyone’s order and left. Still, no one spoke. She had to think of something to say and fast.

“I want to thank you for inviting us to dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Daniels.” The genuine tone of Troy’s voice surprised Cassandra. He raised his wineglass to acknowledge them.

“The pleasure is ours, Troy,” her mother said, smiling. “And please call us Vanessa and Dixon. My husband’s parents were Mr. and Mrs. Daniels.”

Troy’s smile reached all the way to the corners of his eyes. Cassandra had been more interested in his image, the whole package he presented, when she had picked him up. She hadn’t realized how gorgeous he was.

“My mother says the same thing, Vanessa.” Troy emphasized her first name. “Cassandra and I have been so wrapped up in each other that we’ve shut everyone out. I’m happy to meet you.”

“We’re happy, too.” Dixon’s assessing gaze never left Troy’s eyes. “I must admit we were surprised, shocked really, when Cassandra told us about your engagement. After all, Emily and Eric had just returned from their honeymoon.”

“How was your honeymoon?” Cassandra asked, trying to change the subject. Troy didn’t need to know any of the details about her past with Eric.

“Wonderful,” Eric answered. “It was everything we hoped it would be.”

“Where did you go?” Troy asked, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents at the table.

“The Mediterranean. We took a three-week cruise,” Emily said before her husband could answer. “We made so many stops I lost count. It was fun, but tiring.”

Eric cocked one eyebrow. “Have you made honeymoon plans?”

Cassandra suppressed the urge to toss a piece of bread at his oversize head. Instead she pasted on her most charming smile. “Troy’s in charge of the honeymoon.”

Without hesitation, Troy described his idea for their honeymoon. Two weeks of total relaxation on a tropical island with fine white sand, crystal blue water, a gentle sea breeze and no interruptions. She pictured Troy at the beach, bodysurfing in the waves, rubbing suntan lotion over her body, making…

Eric snickered. “I can’t imagine Cassandra sitting on a beach for two hours let alone two weeks.”

“We aren’t planning to spend our time sitting,” Troy answered with a wink, then bit into a slice of bread.

Cassandra’s cheeks warmed. She could imagine falling for Mr. Troy McKnight.

Too bad he wasn’t her type.

Not that she was interested in any type.

“Enough honeymoon talk.” Dixon straightened in his chair. No doubt the thought of his daughters, married or not, having sex made him uncomfortable.

“Why don’t we talk about the wedding?” Vanessa suggested. “Have you set a date?”

“No,” Cassandra said. “We aren’t sure if we want a traditional wedding or not.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” Emily muttered. “I see you don’t have a ring yet.”

“We’re using my grandmother’s engagement ring,” Troy said to Cassandra’s surprise. “My parents are storing it, and I haven’t had time to fly home and get it.”

“Your grandmother’s ring.” Vanessa clapped her hands together. “A family heirloom. How wonderful.”

Troy smiled at Cassandra. Her mother’s reaction seemed to please him.

Eric glanced at the rock on Emily’s ring finger. “That works out well. Troy has a ring to use and Cassandra has a dress to wear.”

Cassandra balled her hands into fists. She noticed the silent exchange between her sister and Eric. Even Emily looked surprised by his statement.

“She can’t wear that dress, Eric,” Emily said with uncharacteristic understanding. “She bought it for… you.”

“But the dress has never been worn,” Eric explained. “It would be a waste to let the gown hang in the closet forever.”

Cassandra tensed. Troy placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. His warm breath teased her neck.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

She nodded. At least someone cared, or pretended to care, about her feelings. “I sold the dress.”

“This time—” Vanessa picked up her glass of Chardonnay “—I want to go shopping with you.”

“Of course, Mother.” That day would never happen.

“There’s plenty of time to talk about the wedding,” Dixon said. “All I know is my little girl looks happy and that makes me happy.”

“My job is to make her happy.” Troy caressed her cheek with his fingertips.

A tingle ran down Cassandra’s spine. “And you do an excellent job.” Did he ever. She would have to be careful.

“So what is your real job, Troy?” Emily asked.

The interrogation begins. Leave it to her sister to get down to the bottom line—income potential. This should be interesting. Cassandra assumed Troy was an attorney. He had that overpaid lawyer look about him. “Go ahead, honey. Tell them what you do.”

Troy cleared his throat. “Venture capital.”

Oh, no. Not V.C. This couldn’t be happening. Cassandra clenched her teeth to keep her mouth from gaping open.

Dixon beamed. He was one of the kings of venture capitalists, financiers who invest in start-up companies in hopes of making huge profits. “I thought you looked familiar, Troy. Who do you work for, Sand Hill? No, it’s Scorpio Partners. I remember now. You handled the MagicSoft deal.”

Troy nodded.

“Very impressive,” Dixon said. He wasn’t a man who gave praise often. “Why didn’t you tell me your fiancé was in the business, honey?”

Cassandra searched her mind for an answer. Troy had caught her off guard. He looked liked an attorney; he was supposed to be an attorney.

How could she have been so stupid? Why hadn’t she asked what he did? Daniels Venture Group was one of the most respected and well-known firms in Silicon Valley. Every up and coming V.C. would kill to learn from the master, Dixon Daniels. Marrying the boss’s daughter was an easy way in. Just ask Eric Wainwright. “Well, Dad—”

“We wanted to tell you in person,” Troy said. “I didn’t want you to think I was marrying your daughter for the wrong reasons.”

Dixon glanced at Eric, then back at Troy. “Does this mean you have no interest in joining my group?”

Cassandra stared at Troy, unsure if she wanted to hear his answer. Eric had lied when she had asked him the same question. She crumpled the linen napkin on her lap.

“I wouldn’t say I have no interest, but my first concern is Cassie.”

Cassie? She hadn’t been called Cassie since she had graduated from high school and demanded to be called Cassandra.

Troy continued. “Getting married is stressful. A new job would only add to the pressure. I want to be the best fiancé and husband I can, so I don’t see making any changes in the near future.”

Cassandra smiled, feeling a rush of emotion build up. She’d always hoped to find a man who would say those words, to put her needs ahead of his own. Troy answered the question well; he even sounded sincere. Maybe not all men were like Eric. Perhaps some were like Troy.

After all, he was the perfect fiancé, at least for tonight. And Troy would make a great husband. A great husband for someone else, she thought with a twinge of regret. She wasn’t in the market for a husband.

“Cassandra, you’ve found such a nice man. He’s perfect.” Vanessa dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. “It took me hours to do my makeup. I can’t believe I’m going to ruin it.”

“You don’t need makeup to look beautiful, Vanessa,” Dixon said.

She sniffled. “I hope you will be very happy together.”

“Vanessa, you read my mind.” Dixon raised his glass. “A toast…to Troy and Cassie. May the two of you find a lifetime of happiness together.”

Oh, no, her father called her Cassie. She had spent her freshman year of college convincing her family to call her by her full name. Of course, she’d later realized she was more of a Cassie than a Cassandra, but by then the trench had been dug too deep and she had to continue holding her ground. “Daddy?”

“Yes, Cassie?”

The joy in his eyes made her hesitate. For the first time in years, she had made him happy. Her mother looked equally pleased. Cassandra couldn’t spoil it, not yet anyway. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thank you.”

“So, Cassie,” Emily said with a saccharine sweet tone. “Have you heard we’ve been house hunting? Unfortunately the market is tight, especially in Palo Alto.”

“I bet.”

“Are you still living in that…unique little apartment on Twenty-fourth Street?”

No. Thanks to her and Eric. They were the reason Cassandra had moved. As her temper flared, she reached for her glass of Cabernet. She sipped slowly, enjoying the robust taste of the full-bodied wine until she reined in her emotions. “No, I live a couple of blocks away.”

“You should buy a place. Renting makes no sense.”

“It’s like flushing your money down the toilet.” Cassandra smiled, ending her sister’s lecture.

The rest of the evening went remarkably well. Meltin-your-mouth desserts followed the savory dinner. Cassandra managed to be civil to Emily and Eric, who returned the politeness. Troy charmed his way further into her parents’ heart. Everything had gone according to plan except for her father continuing to call her Cassie, but she could fix that later.

As she followed her parents outside, she couldn’t believe how easily things had worked out. Cassandra kissed her mother’s cheek. “It was wonderful seeing you.”

“I enjoyed it, dear. I like your young man,” Vanessa whispered.

“Thanks, Mom.” Cassandra hugged her father. “Thanks for the delicious dinner, Daddy.”

“Glad you could come.” Dixon released her. He extended his arm to Troy. “And I’m happy we got to spend time with you.”

Troy shook his hand. “Thanks for dinner, sir.”

“I wish we had more time to get to know one another,” Dixon said, a twinge of regret in his voice.

“Daddy, it’s getting late.” Emily tapped her foot on the sidewalk. “You and mother have a long drive ahead of you.”

“We’re staying in the city, so don’t worry about us,” Dixon said. “I have an idea. Are you a golfer, Troy?”

“Yes, but I’m a hacker.”

“Me, too.” Dixon’s tone made Cassandra bite back a chuckle. Her father, who played at least three days a week, had a four handicap. He was far from a hacker. “Why don’t you and Cassie spend the weekend with us in Carmel? You and I can golf, and the women can discuss wedding plans. Short notice, I realize.”

“Uh.” Troy ran his hand through his hair. “What do you think, honey?”

“Well, I—”

“It’s settled,” Dixon said before Cassandra could say no. He placed something in Troy’s hand and whispered in his ear.

“Daddy…”

Dixon kissed her cheek. “We’ll see you Friday night, kids.”

With that, her parents walked around the corner. Emily and Eric followed them. Cassandra stared at the deserted sidewalk, unable to believe what had happened. Her shoulders slumped.

“It was going so well. Too well, of course. I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming. I wanted them to like you, but this is too much.” Turning to face Troy, she frowned. “How are we going to get out of this?”

With a bewildered look, he stared at the contents in his hand. “I don’t know.”

“What did my father give you?”

Troy showed her two twenty-dollar bills. “You won’t believe what he said it was for.”