My Super-Hot Fake Wedding Date

by Leigh James

  “Maybe he’s hoping that one day, he’ll catch a break. Or maybe he’s just a masochist. He’s a decent player, though.” I frowned. We could have easily beaten Art and Lucas. It irked me that I could’ve helped the old man end his streak of woe. “Maybe next time.”

  “Yeah, or maybe I’ll just hide you from my dad until it’s time to go home. It’s safer that way.” She linked her arm through mine and steered me away from her father, who had finished chewing Lucas out and was making his way over.

  “Whoa there, Bob. Hang on!” Art trotted over. He shook my hand. “Nice work out there today. You a college athlete, son?”

  “Yes, sir. Lacrosse at Boston College.”

  “BC lacrosse, ah yes. That was a bit after my time.” Art smiled. “I approve of you, son. I would like to play some more this weekend.”

  “Daddy, you can’t. Sienna already said you’ve been picking the groomsmen off and taking them away from their schedule. Poor Lucas was supposed to be at the club with Tim and the other guys, but he felt like he couldn’t let you down.”

  “That’s because I threatened him. He works for a buddy of mine.” Art chuckled smugly. “The look on Frank’s face when he lost just now! Well, I hope we can sneak some more time.” He patted me on the back.

  “I’d like that very much, sir.” In fact, I wanted to crush him and make him cry in front of Frank, but he didn’t need to know that.

  Game face, Bob, game face. I smiled as Madison deftly steered me off the court. “He’s not a bad guy, but he is a terrible loser.”

  “I get that feeling.” I squeezed her hand. “Hey, you know what? You keep holding my hand like that, I might get used to it.”

  “Ha. Well.” She didn’t let go. “I’m sort of into the idea that my mother’s jealous that I get to touch you. That’s sick, right?”

  “Totally.” I laughed. “And I totally love it.”

  We reached the house, and Maddy shrugged. “So it’s almost time to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. It’s in our barn.”

  “The big one out back?”

  She nodded. “Sienna wanted to do it at the Four Seasons, but there’s no Four Seasons on Nantucket, so she has to slum it in the barn.”

  “I have a feeling it’s hardly slumming it.”

  “True.” She smiled again, and it made me feel warmer, as if the sun was shining on me and me alone. “I have to help organize some of the final details.”

  “I can help.”

  “Yeah?” Her smile got broader.

  “Yeah.” I refused to think about what happened when someone got too close to the sun.

  Instead, I decided to bask in it.

  Chapter Twelve

  MADISON

  “Why do you have Bob stringing lights?” I frowned at my mother. “You’ve had this place decorated all week.”

  Aileen shrugged. “He looks up to the task.” She eyed him appreciatively as he climbed the ladder.

  “Mom, can you please, and I mean please, stop objectifying him? And while you’re at it, stop staring at his ass.”

  “Oh, honey.” She swatted her hand in my direction, never taking her eyes off Bob’s derriere. “You’re such a buzzkill.”

  “Mother.” Sienna stormed in, looking close to tears. “You’ll never guess what happened! The caterer just called, and she’s running late.”

  “Don’t worry about it, princess.” Aileen chucked her favorite daughter under the chin, careful not to smudge her makeup. “That’s what cocktail hour is for. We have plenty to keep the guests occupied. Most of them are salivating to get out to our property anyway. They’ll be too busy snooping to worry about eating anything.” She winked at Sienna. “This is the wedding of the decade. You don’t need to worry about the caterer running late.”

  Reassured, Sienna took a look around the barn. “It looks really pretty. Thank you.”

  “You are welcome, baby girl.” Mom made kissing noises at my sister, and I tried not to frown at them. They’d always been close. Even though I would just as soon be chummy with a rattlesnake than with my mom, I couldn’t deny the taste of bile-like jealousy in my mouth. She and Sienna had an exclusive mutual-admiration club. I’d always been okay with it, but it still wasn’t fun to be around.

  “Excuse me.” I went over to hand lights to Bob. “How are you doing up there?”

  “I’m fine.” He grinned in my direction, and I felt a knot loosen inside me. I grinned back.

  He paused for a beat. “Are you going to hand those to me or not?”

  “Gah, of course!” I handed him the twinkle lights, cursing myself for staring.

  “Everything okay?” Bob jerked his chin toward my sister and mom. “What’re those two up to?”

  “My mother’s probably going to poison the caterers later and publicly tarnish their reputation, but other than that, they’re just admiring their handiwork. Oh, and your butt. My mother has you up there for a reason.” I shuddered.

  He laughed as he carefully placed the lights. “I figured she could’ve had Pryce up here or any of her other minions. It’s all right—I’d rather keep busy.”

  I groaned. “Sorry.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t be. But I’m still fuming about that match. I might have to challenge your dad to a rematch.”

  “Noooo. Please? You don’t want to go there.”

  Bob shook his head. “Frank deserves a win. It’s been thirty years, Maddy! That’s not right.”

  “Frank’s an adult. He keeps coming back for more.” I sighed, knowing my justification was weak. “And it’s not just that.”

  He peered down at me. “Okay?”

  “It’s that… He said…” I straightened my shoulders. “He said he approves of you. It’s important to me. I’m sure that sounds crazy, but it matters.” I felt as though I might be wandering into dangerous territory—meaning territory in which I could be mortally wounded by humiliation—but I held my head high. “Okay?”

  Bob frowned, but he nodded. “Okay, Maddy. Okay.”

  The knot inside me loosened a little more, and I wondered what exactly would happen if it all came undone.

  “Outfit check time!” My mother sailed into my room without knocking.

  “Mother!” I scrambled to pull my dress up. “I’m half naked!”

  “I was hoping Bob would be in here half naked.” She looked around, vaguely disappointed. “But alas, I’ll have to barge in another time.”

  “Mother.”

  “Stop pretending to be such a prude. The jig is up. Now let me see that dress.” She finished zipping me and took a step back.

  I couldn’t read the expression on her immobile face. “Well?”

  “I’m arching my eyebrows.”

  I blinked at her. “They haven’t budged.”

  She waved my words away. “Then I am arching them in theory, Madison.” She looked me up and down again.

  “You’re going to need to use your words, Mother. Your frozen face isn’t telling me too much these days.”

  She pointed at me. “That dress is very unlike you.”

  “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I looked down at the floor-length crimson gown I’d chosen. It crisscrossed in the front and had cutouts on the side, so my creamy skin peeked through. I’d bought the dress two years ago for a New Year’s Eve party I’d never attended. It was expensive and sexy, and I’d packed it at the last second after Bob had accepted my invitation.

  “It’s a good thing.” My mother decisively nodded once. “Your sister will hate it, though.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Why?” It was probably the most fashionable dress I owned.

  “Because you’re going to get a lot of attention.” She looked down at her own pale-blue silk dress, which was spaghetti-strapped, slinky, and flattering. “I need to go and change.”

  “Why?”

  My mother glanced back over her shoulder as she hustled out. “I don’t like to be shown up, darling. You know that!”

  I sighed, t
rying to turn it into yoga breathing. Then I gave up. I took one last look in the mirror, smoothed my hair, and dabbed on more lip gloss. Then I headed out into the hallway.

  Bob was just closing his door. “Holy… Whoa.” He opened his mouth to say more then closed it.

  “What’s wrong?” I got closer to him, ready to take his pulse.

  He looked as if he were in shock. “I literally didn’t think you could look any more beautiful than you already did,” he blurted out. Then he grimaced, as though he really wished he’d kept his mouth shut.

  “Oh.” I stopped, both frazzled and pleased by the sincerity in his voice. “Thank you.”

  “Y-your welcome.” He smiled, looking sheepish. “That is one dress… Wow.”

  “I’ve never had a chance to wear it. It’s sort of not my style, so I appreciate the wow.”

  Bob held his arm out for me, and I took in his dark suit and tie.

  “You look amazing,” I said as I linked my arm through his.

  “Thanks.” Was he blushing? “Will I get to meet your cousin tonight? The brunette?”

  “Yes, Claire. And my best friend, Josie, is supposed to make it for dessert. She had to take a later flight because of work.”

  “Good.” Bob smiled. “I get to meet your people.”

  “I’m excited about it.” An internal gut check revealed that I was genuinely looking forward to introducing him to Claire and Josie. Not sure what to make of that, I smiled at my fake date. “You’ll love them both. Josie and I have been best friends since we were kids, and Claire is crazy, but in a good way. She’s literally the only way I survive family get-togethers.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “What about you? Do you have a best friend? Or a sibling? I really haven’t asked you much; I’ve been so panicked about everything here.” It dawned on me that I had significantly less information about Bob than he had about me. Genuine curiosity flooded me.

  “I have a sister, Marta. And I also have a best friend, Ryan. He lives near me, so we hang out quite a bit.”

  “Are you close with your sister?”

  “Yeah. We try to see each other when we can. She’s got a new boyfriend who’s pretty nice. It’s hard because we’re all busy.”

  I nodded. “Claire and I try to get together every couple of weeks, but it’s hard to make time, which sucks. I feel like I get stuck in such a vicious cycle with work.”

  Bob nodded. “I used to be like that. That’s why I left finance. I felt like the only time I was ever outside was when it was dark. It kind of got to me.”

  I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I get it. When daylight savings comes, it’s dark when I leave in the morning and dark when I get home. That’s the only thing I don’t like about New England.”

  “Me too. But being out in my truck makes it so much better. I can feel the sun on my face, and every day I can feel that is a good day.”

  I glanced over at him. “I knew you were a happy outdoor person.”

  He chuckled and pulled me close against him as we crossed the grounds to the barn. The sun was just beginning to dip, casting a warm glow across the sky.

  I stopped and let the last rays touch my face. “It’s a good day.” I opened my eyes to find Bob staring.

  “Yeah, it is.”

  I grinned at him. “Are you ready for this?”

  He nodded, seemingly secure. Bob seemed ready.

  I shivered as he pulled me closer, an icy heat lighting me from within. I wanted to be closer to him. I wanted to be next to him all night.

  So I guess the real question was… Was I ready for this?

  Chapter Thirteen

  BOB

  The barn looked spectacular. The little white lights glowed, making the space warm and inviting. A huge farm table commanded the middle of the room, and it was set with white pottery plates and wildflower centerpieces.

  I wasn’t one to get excited about place settings, but even I could appreciate how amazing everything looked. “It turned out beautiful.”

  Maddy nodded at me, taking in a deep breath as she surveyed the scene. Guests were trickling in. There were older couples, who were clearly friends of Maddy’s parents, dressed smartly in suits and tasteful dresses. Then there were the bride and groom’s friends. They looked to be in their twenties. Every one of the men were groomed within an inch of his life, wearing skinny suits and even skinnier ties. The young women looked fresh off an Instagram feed, with designer dresses, dewy makeup, and artfully tousled hair.

  I leaned down closer to Maddy. “You’re the prettiest girl here.”

  “T-thank you.” Maddy’s cheeks flushed, and I felt it—a tingle way down deep inside me. It was more than a tingle, though. It was more like a pull, as if she were metal and my dick was a magnet. I wanted to run my hands over her face, down her sides, and I wanted to—

  Down boy, I warned myself again.

  She gripped my hands. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too.” I meant it.

  “Hey, guys!“ A pretty mocha-skinned woman with long brown hair and tons of gold bangles came up and engulfed us in a tight hug. “Oh my God, it’s so good to see you! And you are both so hot!“ The woman took a step back and looked at us appreciatively. “Maddy, honey, I’ve never seen you in red before. And I’ve never seen you in a dress that revealing! You go girl, you look amazing!“ She turned to me. “And you are a fine specimen of male virility. I’m not even into that, but I am totally into you!”

  Maddy laughed. “Bob, this is my cousin Claire. In case you couldn’t tell, Claire’s a little bit crazy. Claire, this is my boyfriend, Bob. He is a very nice man, and he does not need to be exposed to your vile, but well-intentioned, remarks.“

  I reached for the woman and hugged her. When I released her, I smiled. “Claire, it’s an honor to meet you. Madison has told me a lot about you.”

  “I am not sure what’s going on here—I thought you two weren’t really a thing.” Claire pointed between us. “But I sense otherwise. And I like it. I like it a lot.”

  Madison blushed and cleared her throat. “All that’s going on here is that we’re heading to the bar directly before we have to talk to anyone else in my family. And”—Madison grabbed one of Claire’s hands and one of mine—“That’s a direct order from your team leader.“ She dragged us toward the bar, and both Claire and I laughed.

  “I love it when Madison is bossy.” Claire looked at me. “I bet you do too, Bob.”

  “I think she’s pretty good at it.”

  Madison hustled to the front of the line and smiled prettily at the closest bartender. “Three vodka martinis with extra olives.” She glimpsed at us. “Is that okay with you?”

  Claire and I both nodded. By the two hectic spots of color in Madison’s cheeks, I could tell she was on a mission and I should just stay out of her way. Or better yet, stand beside her and match her drink for drink.

  “Cheers!” Madison clinked her glass against ours. “Let the games begin!”

  Claire turned around, leaned up against the bar, and inspected the crowd in the room. “There’s a lot of pretty people here. A lot of Botox, too.” She cursed. “I should’ve bought that pharmaceutical stock while I had the chance.”

  “I kind of love the Botox,” Madison said. She took a large sip of her drink. “It’s great with my mother. I have no idea if her expression is disapproving or not.” She laughed and drank a little bit more.

  Speaking of Aileen Delaney, the mother of the bride entered the barn, and there was a collective gasp. My own jaw dropped when she came into sight. She wore a plunging strapless black gown. I wasn’t sure what, besides duct tape and God’s will, was holding it up. Nothing else would fit underneath it. She sashayed over to us, and both Claire and Maddy’s eyeballs almost popped out of their heads.

  “Aunt Aileen,” Claire said. “Wow. Just…wow.”

  Aileen struck a pose. “Mermaid dresses are very in, you know.”

  Madison
looked dour. “I know you didn’t want to be shown up, Mother, but you should have at least maybe worn something slightly more…more.”

  “I beg your pardon! This dress is plenty appropriate for the mother of the bride. There’s no reason I need to look like a maid from Downton Abbey just because I’ve raised two beautiful daughters.” Aileen held her head high. “It’s nice to see you, Bob. You fill out that suit rather well.” Her eyes traveled down the length of my torso and rested firmly on my crotch. She tossed her hair and sashayed away, off to be ogled by the next group of stunned admirers.

  “Roar.” Claire laughed. “She is the cougar queen of the Nantucket jungle!”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Madison promptly drained her martini.

  “I’ll get you another one,” I offered.

  Madison clinked her empty glass against mine. “I’ll drink to that.”

  Three martinis later, I started to wonder where the food was. “Are we eating anytime soon?” I asked Claire. She was warily watching Madison try to poke her olive with a toothpick.

  “Why does it keep moving?” Maddy asked, visibly perplexed.

  “Because you’re drunk.” Claire smiled at her gently. “Someone hasn’t been out of the office lately and therefore has no tolerance for alcohol.”

  “Bah.” Maddy wrinkled her nose. “You should talk.”

  “Me?” Claire pointed at herself. “I met someone. I’ve totally been out of the office. I’ve been in the bed, in the backseat of her car, in the shower, in the front seat of her car, in the—”

  “Stop it with all your dirty, show-off sex talk!” Maddy groaned. “Not everyone is that lucky!”

  Claire’s eyes raked over me. I had my hand on Maddy’s back, just as much to make sure she stood up straight as to…have my hand on her back. “You never know.” Claire winked at us. “It might happen to you someday.”

  “Claire…wait.” Maddy’s eyes got huge in her face. “Are you in love? Bartender, we need some Prosecco over here! My cousin’s in love!”

  “Um, can you keep your voice down?” Claire looked around nervously. “If your bitch-sister hears me making a big deal about my love life at her rehearsal dinner, she’ll have a fit. It’s all about Tim and Sienna, remember?”