Her Accidental Fiancé: Essentially Yours Series

Her Accidental Fiancé Essentially Yours Greer Rylie Also by Greer Rylie Petals & Steel Before Autumn Ends Her Accidental Fiancé Copyright © 2023 by Greer Rylie All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Under no circumstances may any part of this book be photocopied for resale. This is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental. Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Epilogue Afterword About the Author Chapter One The antique brass bell, that hung over the door, rang as the door opened and Harper spoke without turning. “Welcome to Nooks and Crannies. Let me know if I can help you with anything.” “You’re my girlfriend.” Harper’s eyes widened and she spun to face the man hurrying towards her, his arms held open as if expecting a hug. “I beg your pardon?” Glancing quickly over his shoulder, a forced smile curved his lips, and he turned back to face her, his arms lowering slightly. “I’m Reid and you’d be doing me a huge favor.” Peeking around him, she noticed an older woman staring at the bookshop as she waited for the pedestrian sign to change. Looking back at Reid, Harper arched an eyebrow and shook her head. “I’m not going to pretend to be your girlfriend.” “It’ll only be for a few minutes, and I’ll make it worth your time.” When he noticed the way she kept glancing out the window, he rushed to explain. “That’s my aunt. She and my mother have been trying to set me up and I finally got them to back off by telling them I’m in a committed relationship.” Looking over his shoulder again, he groaned as he watched his aunt reach for the door handle. Studying the man standing in front of her, Harper decided to play along. “My name is Harper.” Plastering a smile on her face, she threw herself at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I wasn’t expecting you until later!” Wrapping his arms around her waist, Reid breathed a sigh of relief as he lifted her off her feet and spun her in a circle, feigning shock when he saw his aunt looking at them, her phone pressed tightly to her ear. Setting Harper on her feet, he smoothed a hand down the front of his shirt and smiled at his aunt. “Aunt Lydia! What are you doing here?” Holding up a finger, Lydia spoke loud enough for them to hear her. “Yes, Joslin. I’m standing right in front of him.” Moving the phone from her ear, she tapped the screen and motioned for Reid to speak. “Hello, mother. Did I miss a call from you or something?” Joslin’s voice was loud in the bookshop when she replied. “Who are you with?” Reid’s mouth twisted to hide a smile and he looked down at Harper before speaking. “I’m sorry you have to be introduced this way.” Looking back towards his aunt, he reached down and caught Harper’s hand in his, and pulled her forward. “Aunt Lydia, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Har…” Holding out her free hand, Harper smiled as she interrupted him. “Harper Kennedy. It’s nice to meet you.” Her cheeks reddened when she heard a gasp from the phone. Lydia looked at Harper’s hand briefly before barely touching her fingertips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Kennedy. It is Miss, isn’t it?” Harper’s smile widened as she clutched Reid’s arm and snuggled against his side, her eye’s bright as she looked up at him and gave him a teasing wink. “For now, at least.” Reid stared down at the tiny little redhead clutching his arm and cleared his throat to keep from laughing out loud. Turning his head, he met his aunt’s scrutinizing gaze and pointed his finger at the phone. “Was there something I could help the two of you with?” Jerking her gaze away from Harper, Lydia looked up at her nephew and her brow drew down in confusion. “I thought Joslin told me your … friend’s name was Mickie?” Joslin’s voice filled the shop again. “Because that’s what he told me.” Harper’s grip tightened on his arm, and he was trying to think up a believable lie when she spoke up beside him. “That’s a pet name. See, my middle name is Michelle, and…” “And I called her Mickie one day and it kind of stuck.” Placing his free hand over hers, where it was still clutching his upper arm, he squeezed her fingers before stepping free of her hold and turning to face her. “I just wanted to stop in and make sure we were still on for tonight.” Harper swallowed past the suddenly dry feeling in her throat and, noticing his aunt watching them, nodded once before turning and walking behind the counter to put some distance between them. “I was actually going to call you later to let you know I would probably be a little late. I also wanted to let you know that I was able to get my new phone number this morning.” Reid watched her scribble on a piece of paper, and he reached for his aunt’s wrist when she pushed past him and marched up to the counter. “Aunt Lydia.” “Why did you need a new