Chapter 1

At the matchmaking table, James Carter sat with a cold expression as Emily Chambers, General Gideon Chambers' daughter, showed off her talents across from him.

Behind the screen, I held the text he had just sent asking for help, and was about to step out to bail him out.

Then the overdressed poodle opened its mouth, and I froze.

I could actually understand its barking. 'Woof! This guy is insanely handsome! Way better than the seven backups my mommy keeps!

'What a pity. Mommy's already carrying Jack Sullivan's baby, so this handsome officer is going to take the fall!'

The sheer absurdity hit me like a thunderclap. A war hero being forced into marriage, saddled with a notorious player and someone else's child?

I could not hold back my laughter any longer and walked straight out from behind the screen.

Right in front of her, I slipped my arm affectionately through James' and smiled at the poodle that had done me such a favor.

"Mr. Carter, let's not be the world's biggest sucker today. This 'gift' she's offering is a bit too much to swallow."

Emily's face went deathly pale, and her hand trembled as she pointed at me.

I gave the leash in my hand a little shake and winked at her.

"Ms. Chambers, are you leaving on your own, or should I deliver proof of the 'Jack' in your belly to your father's office?"

*****

[Claire, if you don't come out soon, I'm giving in.]

That was James' last message to me.

I knew he wouldn't dare. Not in a million years.

I hid behind the thick, carved screen of the private room, peeking out just enough to see.

Directly in my line of sight was my boyfriend, James, about to become someone else's "replacement."

He was in a perfectly tailored military uniform, his epaulettes glinting gold in the light.

His sharp eyebrows and striking eyes, high nose bridge, and icy expression made him look untouchable.

Sitting across from him was Emily, Gideon Chambers' daughter.

She wore a designer dress, her makeup immaculate, speaking in a nonstop stream of words.

"James, I've liked you since I was little, and my father really supports us.

"I've been classically trained in piano and fine arts. And once we're married, I'll ensure our home and social life are managed flawlessly."

James lifted his coffee cup, took a sip, and didn't even glance at her.

Emily's smile faltered.

The atmosphere was so awkward it could be measured in square feet of tension.

I bit back a laugh, phone in hand, the screen showing the frantic countdown messages James had just sent.

[Three minutes left, if you don't come, I'll flip the table.]

[Two minutes fifty seconds.]

[Two minutes forty seconds.]

This was a man who commanded armies on the battlefield without batting an eye, now reduced to a countdown under pressure at a matchmaking table.

I was about to step out to rescue him when the overly dressed poodle at Emily's feet suddenly barked at James.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Then, in my head, a high-pitched, childlike voice exploded.

'Wow! This man is so handsome! Look at those long legs! He's way hotter than the seven guys in Mommy's contacts!'

I froze.

What just happened?

I could understand the dog.

The poodle, Sparkle, kept barking.

'Too bad this handsome guy is about to get tricked by Mommy.

'Mommy's already carrying a baby, but it's not his.

'This man is going to be the replacement dad!'

The sheer amount of information hit me all at once.

Emily, a notorious player with backup lovers, showing up pregnant with someone else's child for a matchmaking setup?

This was next-level audacity.

James, apparently tired of the dog's commentary, furrowed his brows, clearly growing impatient.