Read Her Faux Fiancé for Free Online Page A

juice received only slightly better treatment. “I knew you looked familiar, and it bugged me all day. So I checked my high school yearbook when I got home last night.”
    “It’s Thordarson, now,” Analise corrected. Sheryl looked perplexed. “I changed my last name when I returned to France.”
    “I didn’t know … ” Gunnar put down his menu, his blue eyes unusually bright when they met hers.
    “I was going to change it to Gunnarsdöttir, but I figured I’d be spelling it constantly, and it doesn’t really work outside of Iceland.”
    Sheryl shifted her weight from one foot to the other. As they weren’t discussing Erik, she obviously wasn’t interested. “Can I take your order?”
    “I’m going to have two eggs over easy, bacon extra crispy, and whole wheat toast.” Analise snapped her menu shut. “
Afi
?”
    Her grandfather placed his order and handed the menu back to Sheryl.
    “Why’d you change your name?” Gunnar placed his hand on hers. The weathered, callused palm felt wonderful.
    “Because I consider you and
Amma
my parents. The Tagans never treated me like family.”
    “You shouldn’t blame your father too much. He was sent to Manitoba by his family when he was seventeen because he got some bigwig’s daughter pregnant in France. Your mother was all over him from the minute he arrived. It was inevitable that he would take what was offered so willingly. When his family found out he got another girl pregnant, they insisted he marry this time. I wish I had insisted they didn’t marry, but your mom was so happy.”
    “Really?” Analise couldn’t remember her mother ever being happy. At least not sober and happy.
    “I think she was at first—the grand adventure, moving to Paris, seeing Europe. When we spoke on the phone she always said how great things were. We didn’t know how bad it was between her and your dad. When she visited, she always seemed so bored and wanted to go back to France right away.” Gunnar shook his head.
    Analise didn’t want to discuss her mother. That wound had healed, or at least scarred over so much it didn’t hurt anymore.
    Sheryl brought their coffees, hopefully a fresher brew than the last time. Analise took a tentative sip and managed to swallow without her taste buds revolting too much.
    “So,
Afi
. As there doesn’t seem to be much going on at the stables, I thought maybe we could take a trip to Iceland. See the real Akureyri together.”
    “What about Erik?” Her grandfather’s question came on the heels of Sheryl arriving with their breakfast. She lingered at the table, no doubt wanting to hear Analise’s answer.
    “Can I have some more orange juice, please?” Analise handed over her empty glass and waited for the waitress to leave.
    “I’m sure he can spare me for a couple of weeks while I accompany my grandfather to his homeland.” Quick save—she’d forgotten she was supposed to be engaged to Erik.
    “I don’t know. And we can’t go right away. The Sigurdsons would never forgive me if I took their favorite grandson’s fiancée away during their anniversary celebration. I have to live next to them.”
    Damn, there’d be no escape for the next three weeks at least.
    “Well, think about it. We can go as soon as all this anniversary nonsense is over.”
    “Sixty-five years of marriage is not nonsense. It’s an achievement to be celebrated. Not many young people nowadays can make a commitment that long. You think you and Erik have a shot?”
    “I hope so.” She meticulously put jam on her bread, hoping her grandfather didn’t see the deceit in her eyes.
    “Well, speak of the devil.”
    Before Analise could ask what her grandfather meant, Erik slid into the booth next to her.
    “Good morning, my love.” Erik turned her face up to his. The spicy scent of his aftershave filled her head seconds before his lips touched hers. His kiss was soft but effective. It scrambled her brain.
    “Morning,” she murmured as he pulled back a