Gus shook his head. “No, I didn’t stop it either. If we’re in this pretend marriage together, then we’re in all of it together.” But did she really want to continue the farce if it was going to involve her family? “Are you sure you want to continue? I mean, we’re talking about your parents. I don’t want them to hate me.”
“As if they could ever hate you. You mowed their grass anytime it needed it. You helped my mom with the groceries even when I wasn’t home. They love you. I might just break their hearts when I tell them we’re not really married.” She chuckled.
“Are you sure? We don’t—”
“Gus, it’s fine. I got us into this, and I’m going to see it through. We have the perfect out. Once the article is published, we’ll quietly let it slip that we didn’t last but we’re still very good friends, which is why I’m staying in New York as your assistant.” She took his hands in hers. “See, I’m going to be great at this personal assistant thing.” She grinned.
He pulled her into a hug. “You’ll be the best one ever. Thank you for putting up with all of this.”
She hugged him around the waist, setting her chin on his chest, and smiled up at him. “I think you’ve got that turned around.”
“Maybe we put up with each other. How’s that?”
“You’re my friend, and you mean the world to me, Gus. I’d rather put up with you than anyone else,” she said as she held his gaze.
Friend. There was that word, and after she’d kissed him? He’d been so stupid to get his hopes up so quickly. Of course, it’d take more than a night to show her how much he loved her. Maybe the picnic he’d planned would help. They’d be alone, away from prying eyes, and if she kissed him, then he’d know. Right?
Chapter 15
As they walked along the beach, Peyton fanned her fingers out to her side, studying the diamond Gus had slipped on her finger. It was beautiful and perfect and the most wonderful ring she’d ever seen. Mostly because it was from Gus. The only thing that made her even a little sad was that it was only pretend, and he’d used the words “oldest and dearest friend.” Would he really say that if he thought they could be more?
As romantic as the evening was, she had to think that if he did, he would have said something. Then again, it wasn’t like she’d had the guts to say anything either. She shook her head and cleared her thoughts. If she kept going down that path, she’d analyze herself into a looney bin.
She’d been a little worried that he was avoiding her the day before, maybe regretting his gift even, but she’d run into Ty at dinner, and he’d confirmed that they’d been slammed with management issues the entire day. And even though the day hadn’t started so great, Gus was all hers now, and that made everything perfect.
“Are you going to tell me what’s in the basket?” Peyton asked. They’d walked in silence for a long while. More than likely he was still trying to process everything that had happened since Justine popped by that morning. Peyton was too, so she couldn’t blame him.
He shook his head. “Nope. Not until we get where we’re going.”
It was almost comical how everything happened. Justine walking up and Lori hearing her call them newlyweds. If only the laugh stopped there. Her thoughts drifted back to the conversation with her sister.
“Who was that, and what was she talking about…newlyweds?” Her sister gasped. “You and Gus? Seriously? I thought you’d never wise up.”
“We’re not—” Wait. “What do you mean?”
“Gus is a wonderful man. He’s practically a part of the family, and you’ve known him forever. I always thought the two of you would end up together.”
“So, you wouldn’t care if I just broke up with Frank and said I was married to Gus?”
Lori scoffed. “You weren’t in love with that loser. You wanted to be, but I could tell you weren’t.”
“You’re right. I wasn’t.” Until that conversation, she thought she was, but after hearing her sister say it, Peyton was certain she’d never loved Frank. It went back to what she’d thought before. Just someone, not the right one.
“I don’t even know why I said yes.”
“See? You didn’t want to be with him. You and Gus are meant to be.”
Peyton had nearly dropped to the floor. “You wouldn’t think I was nuts for jumping from one relationship to another?”
“No, it’s Gus. He’s successful, attractive, and sweet. He’s always treated you like you were the most important thing in the world. I can’t believe you didn’t see it until now.”
Peyton had been so caught up in what Lori had said that before she could correct her, her sister had hung up on her. “Bye, gotta go,” and click constituted hung up on in Peyton’s mind. She’d even tried calling her right back, and all she got was voicemail. I’m not married wasn’t exactly something you delivered in a recording.
Now, her sister thought she was married to Gus, and the craziest part was that Lori thought it was the best idea ever. Would her mom and dad think that as well? Why didn’t anyone tell her before she’d dated so many creeps? Or did they, and she was so busy keeping Gus in the friend zone that she didn’t hear them?
It wasn’t like he hadn’t friend-zoned her too, and she wanted him as her friend rather than nothing at all. That’s why she’d never even given it a second thought. What if she’d written the possibility off and she shouldn’t have. High school was a long time ago. Hadn’t they changed?
“Peyton?”
She blinked. “Sorry, I guess I was just enjoying the walk. Is this where we were going?”
“I thought brunch on the beach sounded good since it feels like we’re being watched all the time.”
She took a few deep breaths and said, “It sounds lovely.” Maybe he’d kiss her while they were alone. That would be a sign that he’d changed his mind about them, right? So far, she had initiated all of their kisses.
Gus pulled out the blanket he’d set in the basket and spread it out. He placed the basket in the middle, and they sat and dug in. After finishing their meal, they stretched out on the blanket and lay next to each other.
Peyton rolled to her side and propped her head in her hand. “I think I could live here all year long. I love the air and the smells and everything.”
With his eyes closed, he nodded. “There is the temptation; that’s for sure.”
“Well, why couldn’t you? Do you have to live in New York to do your matchmaking stuff?”
He chuckled and rolled his head to look at her. “Can’t say I’ve ever thought about it.”
“I can’t say I won’t be comparing everything to Hawaii from this point forward. I love Alaska, being near my parents, but to live here? I think I could manage.”
“Nothing saying I couldn’t move things here. I think I could handle seventy-six during the winter.”
Peyton chuckled. “I think anyone could handle that. Honestly, part of me wishes the whole resort was home.”
Gus laughed. “There were times when I was getting things together that the thought crossed my mind. This time I’d keep my address from my dad.”
That surprised her. Anytime Gus heard from the man, he’d spiral. His dad had a way of really getting to him, especially now that his mom was gone. “Did he try to contact you?”
“Yeah, about two months ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugged and sat up, wrapping his arms around his knees. “I don’t know. I guess for once I wanted to not fall apart and sound like a man who couldn’t handle dealing with his deadbeat dad.”
Peyton pushed herself up. “That’s not how you sound at all, Gus.”
His father was a horrible man. She’d only met him once when they were younger. He’d come to Gus’s high school graduation drunk and made a complete fool of himself. Gus and his mom were so embarrassed. Police escorted him out of the event, and then that next day, the man came to Gus’s home and screamed horrible things about Gus and Mrs. Grant while standing on the front
lawn. When his dad finally took a flight back to wherever it was he came from, Gus had been so broken.
“Really? Because that’s how I feel. In my head, I know the man isn’t worth my energy, but it’s like he has this hold on me. For once, I want him to call and be happy for me. Not to tell me about all of his problems and then ask for money.”
Peyton’s eyes went wide. “He asked for money?”
“He did this last time. I told him no, and then he got angry.” He set his chin on his knee, and it reminded Peyton of when they were kids. The times when she’d catch him looking so vulnerable. “I blocked his number after that.”
She put her arm around his shoulders. “I’m so sorry. You’re right that he’s not worth your energy. If he was, he’d know how great you are, and he’d be proud of you. I know your mom would be. I can practically see her smiling.”
“I didn’t realize how much she put up with before she left him. At first I was so angry, but when he didn’t show that first summer, I called him―”
“I know.” Oh, it was horrible. He was so upset. When Peyton finally got him to confide in her, Gus told her that his dad had said horrible things about his mom.
“I didn’t tell you everything. I didn’t tell anyone.”
“What?”
He shrugged. “Dad and I were talking, and at first, everything was okay, but then I guess I whined, and he lost it. He said I was the reason they broke up. That mom had wanted to leave me with him, but that he’d won that argument, and she was stuck with me.”
Peyton’s jaw dropped as she gasped. “Are you serious? He said that to you? What kind of horrible parent says that? And you kept it to yourself this whole time?”
“I knew none of it was true, but I guess it’s kind of stayed with me, in the back of my mind.” He grunted. “I don’t even know why I’m saying anything now. He’s not worth it.”
“You thought when he called that he’d be congratulating you and telling you he was proud of you.”
He lifted his head and nodded. “Yeah, I think so. There’s a part of me that’s been desperate to be loved by him since I was a kid, but he can’t love anyone but himself.”
“No, he can’t, and look at you. You’ve accomplished something so great. You’re a billionaire with a successful company. It’s his loss, Gus. His. Don’t ever for one second let him convince you that you aren’t incredible. He’s just mad because he’s jealous.” She hugged him around the neck. “Don’t ever, ever listen to him.”
Gus wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck, taking a deep breath. “I know. I’m trying.”
Peyton was so furious with Gus’s father. He wasn’t even good enough to hold the title. That he’d say all those horrible things to him…and Gus had kept it to himself all this time. No wonder he’d cried that day in the backyard. If she’d known, she’d have cried right along with him.
“As your personal assistant, I will make it my business to make sure he never talks to you again. Unless he’s cleaned up his act. I won’t let him talk to you like that again.”
He chuckled, and his breath tickled her neck. “Does that mean you’re doubling as a bodyguard?”
“Absolutely.” She pulled back. “Anyone who wants to mess with you will have to go through me. It’s been that way since Bambi.”
“Hey! Just who I was hoping to run into again,” Justine said.
Peyton and Gus looked over their shoulders to find Justine, along with at least a dozen more people, walking onto the beach. “Justine?” She thought for sure she’d get time alone with him. Those kisses of his were addictive. Her stupid luck needed a four-leaf-clover recharge.
Justine nodded. “Yeah, I took a tour of the island. I wanted to go ahead so that when the three of us went, I could concentrate on getting pictures of the newlyweds.”
“Oh, that was smart thinking,” Peyton said. Suddenly, she was done with the beach. Maybe they’d get a moment in the bungalow. A picture of them on the back patio, cuddled together and him kissing her, sprang to mind.
Apparently, Gus felt the same way. He stood and helped Peyton to her feet. “When did you want to do that tour?” he asked.
“Would tomorrow work? If you haven’t been yet, you are going to love it. I can’t wait to get your reactions on film. You two are so cute, and coupled with that, I think the pictures will be amazing.” She smiled, holding Gus’s gaze a little too long.
Peyton hugged Gus’s arm. “I’m sure they’ll be great.”
“I have a long list of questions. Would it be okay if I asked a few now? I’m trying to spread them out so I’m not pelting you with them all at once.” Justine looked from Peyton to Gus.
Peyton nodded. “Sure, but we were just about to leave, so only a couple, okay?”
“You bet. Only a couple, I promise.” She pulled out her phone and tapped a few buttons. She turned to Gus. “Okay, I’m recording. So, you said you got married pretty quickly. How did you manage to get a ceremony together and plan this resort at the same time? That sounds like a lot.”
Peyton’s pulse jumped. What would Gus say? They hadn’t thought about answering that sort of question.
“Um, we just went to the courthouse,” Gus said.
“Yeah, we didn’t need anything big or fancy to prove how we felt,” Peyton said.
Justine’s mouth dropped. “What? No ceremony? That sounds so sad.”
Peyton waved her off. “Oh no, it was really perfect. We said our vows, and it was sweet. Just like I wanted.”
Justine’s eyebrows drew together. “Really? You strike me as the kind of girl who dreams about her wedding.”
Peyton had dreamt about her wedding, and it was ironic because she’d wanted a beach wedding; only she’d wanted it in the Maldives.
Peyton shrugged. “It was more important to marry him than anything. We’ll worry about a ceremony later. Right?” She smiled as she looked at him.
“Absolutely. After cheating off you in seventh grade, I owe you, right?” He winked.
Peyton chuckled. “You bet you do.”
Justine hit the side button on her phone and stuck it in her purse. “You two really are sweet together. It’s obvious there is a deep level of affection between you. At first, I was really skeptical, thinking Mr. Matchmaker just didn’t want me asking questions about his status, but I’m totally convinced.” She didn’t necessarily sound happy about the revelation, but at least Gus was off the market to her. Maybe she’d direct her infatuation elsewhere.
Before Peyton could respond, Gus’s eyebrows knitted together. “Hey, there’s a surfer.”
She followed his line of sight and gaped. “Oh, cool. I can check ‘see a surfer in real life’ off my bucket list.”
Justine laughed. “That’s what I was thinking.”
The crowd the reporter had come with gathered along the beach and watched with them. Whoever it was on the waves was doing a great job. At least, Peyton thought so, until Gus sucked in a sharp breath.
“That wave is huge.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and shoved it into her hand. “I think he’s going to hit those rocks. Take my phone. Call 9-1-1.” He ran in the direction of the surfer.
Justine’s jaw dropped, and she turned to Peyton. “Those rocks look dangerous.
“Yeah, they do,” Peyton whispered.
Gus stopped at the water’s edge and glanced at her over his shoulder and then back to the surfer. In that moment, she knew without a doubt that he was going into that water. Her lungs constricted, and she felt like she was suffocating. If something happened to Gus, she’d break into a million pieces.
Chapter 16
For a second, Gus stood at the edge of the surf, debating what to do. Even though he’d taken a lifeguard course, he’d never put it into use. He glanced over his shoulder at Peyton and then back to the surfer. There was no doubt the man was about to be in trouble.
Then what Gus feared would happen played out right before his eyes. Time slowed as the wave c
rashed down, sending the man into the jagged rocks. Without another thought, Gus plunged into the water. It nearly took his breath away. It wasn’t freezing, but it wasn’t nearly as warm as he liked.
The current was strong and pulled at him like it was trying to squeeze the breath out of him, but Gus fought against it as he kept his gaze trained on the spot where the surfer went down. The man bobbed up a couple of times, only to have the waves crash down on him again.
When Gus reached the exhausted man, he yelled, “Hold on.”
He put his arm around the surfer’s chest, battling to keep them from being bashed against the rocks while trying to reach the shore. Being so close to the rocks, though, made it nearly impossible.
Another large wave crashed down, pushing Gus into one of the rocks. The impact nearly made Gus drop the man as pain shot through his right shoulder and down his arm. Before he could get his bearings, another wave crashed down, sending him into the rocks again and pushing his head into them. Water rushed up his nose, and it was hard not to take in a gulp as the hit jarred him. He shook his head, trying to clear the dizziness.
With the waves, the strong current, and the rocks, Gus began to wonder if he’d get either of them out alive. With the next wave, he positioned himself, pushed off the rocks with his feet, and dove through the wave, sideways across the current. The water wasn’t much calmer, but the waves were easier to swim through.
“Can you walk?” Gus wheezed as his feet hit solid ground. He pulled the man’s arm across his shoulders to help him.
“Yeah,” the man said.
“Let me help,” Peyton said as she took the man’s other arm.
Together, they helped him up the beach to dry sand where they helped him sit down.
Gus caught Peyton’s gaze. “Did you call an ambulance?”
She nodded. “I called 9-1-1 and Ty. Both should be here any minute.”
“Okay.” He wobbled and sat down hard on the sand next to the man. His head pounded, his body ached, and his shoulder and back were stinging. It felt like he’d run a marathon.
The Matchmaker's Fake Marriage (Sweet Fake Marriage Romance Book 4) Page 11