Lara felt relieved as the evening went smoothly, free from the usual tension of family dinners. Just as things seemed perfect, Jake stood up during dessert and raised his glass. “I’d like to propose a toast,” he said, his voice sincere. “To the man of the evening and to Lara—the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. You’re intelligent, kind, and your laugh is infectious. I’ve admired you since we met,
Lara froze, stunned by the depth of his words. This wasn’t part of their act. She was touched and admitted she felt the same. What began as a fake romance to avoid awkward questions had unexpectedly turned into something real. The two decided to keep their new relationship a secret from the family to avoid teasing from Emily, but Lara realized that sometimes the most unexpected connections are the most genuine.