Marry Me, Right Now : (Marriage of Convenience Romance, Toronto)

by Haley Travis

  “I promise, my parties are usually slightly more reasonable.”

  Looking around her fortress of paperwork, I chuckled again. “You’re always writing in your notebooks, but this tornado of tree slices is getting out of control.”

  She suddenly looked serious. “Sorry – did you want me to clean this up?”

  “No! I’m just joking. Take over as much space as you need. And for the record, if you ever leave things lying around, Carol will never throw anything out unless it’s in the garbage. She might set it aside somewhere obvious, but she’ll never toss anything accidentally, especially papers.”

  “Good to know. I’ll try to be tidy, but sometimes I brainstorm, and things get messy.”

  “What sorts of things?”

  She sipped her wine thoughtfully. “Sometimes notes with friends on their projects. Since I’m in the arts without being an artist, I can offer a different perspective, and can be useful for problem-solving. I’m apparently very handy for bouncing ideas off of.”

  I laughed. “I’ll bring you into the office the next time the marketing department gets stuck on something.”

  Mia giggled. “I’m pretty sure I’d be a little out of place in a corporate office.”

  “Not at all.” As always, it was tricky to stop myself from holding her hand. “Mia, you’re doing an absolutely fabulous job at this whole wife thing,” I said with a grin.

  “A job? What, you just hired her off the street?” I spun around to see George in the foyer holding a white box. I guess I didn’t hear him knock, so he just used his key.

  I laughed quickly, and Mia followed along immediately. “This wife business is pretty serious, and we’ve been trying to joke about it all week. What’s up?”

  He came over immediately, his eyes darting to the papers everywhere. They were all about wedding details, and he seemed disappointed. “Mother asked me to deliver this personally.” He handed the box to Mia.

  “Oh. Thanks,” she said. “Should I open it now?”

  “Yes.”

  She lifted the lid carefully as I came over to stand beside her. Nestled inside a bed of white satin was a pair of delicate rose gold and diamond earrings, and a small gold hair clip in the shape of a rose.

  “She said to look at the back of the flower thing,” George said.

  Mia turned it over, and there was a small blue crystal. She laughed immediately. “Something blue. That’s so cute!”

  “Oh right,” George said, obviously not really caring beyond getting his mission accomplished. “She wasn’t sure if you had something borrowed, so that clip is just on loan. It once belonged to our Great Aunt Edna. But the earrings are a gift.”

  “Wow. Thank you so much.”

  He shrugged. “I’m just the delivery guy. Mother uses couriers for everything except jewelry. She’s never trusted them with heirlooms.”

  “Thanks, George,” I said, hoping that he’d leave quickly.

  “Yes, thank you,” Mia said, setting the box on top of her papers so that she could stand up and give him a hug. “I really appreciate it.”

  I could tell that he was instantly uncomfortable with her sincerity, which was likely her plan. “Yeah, no problem. I’ll see you both on Sunday.”

  He left quickly, and a few seconds after the door shut, Mia giggled. “Did you see him reading this stuff? Did he think he was spying by barging in like that?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I think he’s pretty sure he knows what’s going on, but there is no evidence anywhere, so he has no shot of proving anything.”

  “Unless he’s bugged your condo.”

  I laughed so loudly she seemed surprised. “Listen, George isn’t very technical, and likely not clever enough to learn. I know that’s terrible to say, but it wasn’t just laziness that made him leave school early, and never find a decent career. He has had every opportunity, but he doesn’t try. For him to actually figure out how snooping devices work, and go to that much trouble – there’s just no way he’d bother.”

  “Maybe he thought you were having a last fling with your floozies. Maybe he was hoping the whole cheerleading squad was here.”

  We both laughed, and my hand automatically reached to the back of her neck, stroking underneath her hair. “Not likely.”

  Forcing myself to step away and sit back down, I surveyed the contents of the box again. “Do you like these? Will you wear them for the wedding?”

  She stared at me, aghast. “It’s a gift from my mother in law. I absolutely must wear these. If I didn’t, it would be like slapping her in the face.”

  “Oh. Well, do you like them?”

  “Sure. I can put the clip in the back of my hair, and the earrings are nice. They’re a bit fancier than the others I was looking at.” Her eyes grew wide. “Oh! This is why Zachary didn’t want me to buy earrings. They must have been planning this,” she laughed.

  “Well, if it’s time for gift-giving,” I said, “Hold on a minute.” I rushed to my room, coming back with a small gift bag. “Don’t get excited, it’s not diamonds.”

  Her nose crinkled. “Good. The one I have is a bit much,” she said, but I saw her tiny smile when she glanced at her left hand.

  “Well, three now,” I said, gesturing to the earrings.

  Her eyes grew wide. “Those can’t be real.”

  “Jewelry from my mother? Oh yes, they’re real.”

  “Holy shit.” She clapped her hand over her mouth.

  I laughed, holding out the bag. “I promise no sparkling rocks in here.”

  She took the bag and dug out a new pink, silver, and bronze flecked notebook, and silver pen, looking up at me with utter delight. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “I figured since you’re starting a whole new phase of your life, and you’re always taking notes, maybe a new notebook is in order.”

  Mia stood up and hugged me. “Thank you, Jacob. That’s incredibly thoughtful.”

  I held her close. The slight spicy vanilla scent of her hair was earthy and comforting. “You’re very welcome.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything,” she said, looking upset.

  “No, please,” I said, sitting us both back down. “You’re helping me save a beautiful old house. If you hadn’t noticed that the paperwork was more important than George was letting on, and found the hidden code, my uncle’s house would have been torn apart by a spoiled ass.”

  “I’m so glad you called him that. It’s not my place to say it, but yes.”

  “You can’t kick family out of your life. They’re always there, so you have to find ways to work around them.”

  “Yeah. My real family are my friends.”

  “Oh right – I meant to ask. Are you making Rayanne and Lauren wear hideous dresses?”

  Her shoulders bounced with laughter. “No way. Zachary helped us pick out lovely dresses that they’ll actually wear again.”

  “Good.”

  Mia looked through her notes. “I think I have one more text to send, then that’s it for tonight.”

  “Awesome. Do you want to watch a movie or something?” She looked extremely relieved. “What? Isn’t that what people do on Friday nights after working their butts off?”

  Mia laughed, a sound that was delighting me more every time I heard it. “I didn’t know if you’d have plans tonight, or want to be alone. Curling up with a movie would be perfect.”

  Ten minutes later I had moved our food and drinks to the lounge, handing Mia the remote and throwing a blanket over us. “Official lounge fort rules,” I said. She sat back against the end of the sofa, stretching her legs toward me.

  Impulsively, I grabbed her feet, pulling them into my lap so that I could massage her feet through her little purple socks.

  “Oh wow,” she said softly, finding an old adventure movie that was just starting. “I knew being rich made you spoiled, but this is ridiculous.”

  “Don’t worry,” I said. “This special treatment is just until we’re safely married. The
n I’ll lock you in the wine cupboard for a few months.”

  “I’m good with that.”

  JACOB

  <<< 21 >>>

  SHOW TIME

  I didn’t dare tell her in these words, but Mia was behaving like the perfect high society wife. The light, casual way she made introductions, the way she persuaded people to talk about themselves, the way she let her happiness and light wash over everyone she was near… she was a dream.

  It was strange not having her beside me while I greeted guests who were quickly filling the room. I wanted her near me. I knew that everything would be flowing more smoothly if she were here. But the tradition of the bride arriving one minute late and making a grand entrance couldn’t be missed.

  I tried to do exactly what she did at the cocktail party, introducing people and keeping everything light while talking her up to anyone who wasn’t already sick of hearing me rave about her. Everything was so warm, so real, that it was easy to forget that this was all for show.

  Up until this moment, I wasn’t truly sure we’d be able to pull this off. Mia had been holding everything together and had handled the organization of the wedding better than I could ever have expected. To be honest, I think she worked harder on this than I had ever worked on anything in my life.

  In just two weeks, she had taught me so much about different kinds of people, privilege, and my home city, that my head was still spinning.

  Every time the thought flickered into my head, I squashed it back out, but there was no doubt in my mind that Mia was my dream girl. Yet I could not allow myself to entertain that thought for even a split second. We were business partners. We had a mission. We had to pretend to be a couple for a year, and whatever happens then would happen then.

  It actually looked like our wedding day would be smooth sailing. Even with the constant whispered gossip that she might be pregnant, or my brother George making comments about how Mia was some sort of money hungry opportunist trophy girl trying to latch onto my wealth, nothing could ruin our beautiful day.

  Although I knew it was tradition for the brother who was closest in age to be the best man, I had chosen my close friend Asher. I knew how much Mia instinctively hated George, but I had to have him as my groomsman, since she had two bridesmaids. It was a subtle thing, but I did it for me as much as for her. George, Asher and I walked to the front of the room, smiling and nodding at our friends and family.

  All eyes turned when mother entered wearing a deep champagne-colored gown, looking every bit the queen of the hour. She glided to the very front, where she lit a white pillar candle, murmuring something that I’m sure was supposed to sound very deep, then turning back with a smile and a nod, before taking her seat.

  Mia had explained something about my mother’s wish to light a candle for the relatives who could not be present, signifying past and future generations. But it really just sounded to me like she wanted to be front and center for a moment so she could have her place in the spotlight.

  I was actually surprised that I wasn’t more nervous. We had rehearsed, we had planned, and now we just had to let everything unfold as it should.

  “Are you ready?” Asher asked, flashing me a brilliant grin as if he was trying to relax me.

  I nodded. “Yeah. I think I’m more ready for this than I’ve been for anything in my entire life.”

  He clapped me on the back, looking truly touched. “She is an amazing gal, and you two seem like a great team. I’m glad you found each other, man.”

  The music picked up with one of those traditional songs that I had heard a thousand times, but never knew the name of. I looked up to see Mia’s friends Lauren and Rayanne slowly coming down the aisle, wearing pretty blue dresses, holding white and green bouquets. Rayanne had even dyed her previously purple hair to match the dress.

  They were smiling at everyone as if this was a relaxed, mellow party. I gave them a wide grin, and mouthed the words, “You both look lovely.” They grinned, then took their places at the top of the aisle.

  The music swelled. I turned to see my bride to be, for real or not, coming through the flowered arch around the doorway. Mia was on the arm of the tall black-haired man I had met briefly at our cocktail party. She said he was one of her oldest friends, and the closest she had to family. My breath hitched in my throat, and I almost grabbed Asher’s arm as my vision blurred for half a second.

  Mia was gorgeous from the first moment I saw her, but now she was transcendent. Otherworldly. An angel sent to earth. Her gown was skimming over her flawless tiny figure, and her slightly angled skirt showed off her legs perfectly. But her sweet porcelain face was smiling at me, making time nearly stop.

  She was a vision. The sexiest, classiest, most radiant woman I had ever seen in my life. And here I was, about to take her wedding day away from her for a pile of money and an old house.

  The cold darkness in the pit of my stomach suddenly weighed a thousand pounds, and I had to force myself to stand up straighter. She was so brave, slowly walking down the aisle with the sweetest smile on her pretty little lips. I couldn’t let her down. I had to be strong enough for both of us.

  M I A

  <<< 22 >>>

  THE WEDDING

  Left foot. Right foot. Don’t trip. Breathe steadily. Smile at everyone. This is fun. This is a happy special day. Part of my mind continually screamed to just keep moving.

  I was a zombie. Moving my legs was an ordeal. I’d never had so many people staring at me, or so much riding on one day. My breath kept hitching in my throat and my eyes occasionally watered from forgetting to blink. Hopefully, people would just think it was natural wedding jitters, or that I was overcome with emotion. My fingers were vibrating and my teeth itched.

  My old friend Liam had agreed to walk me down the aisle, and he held my arm gently, giving me a little squeeze now and then. He’s always had a comforting energy, which kept me from exploding from stress.

  Then I saw Jacob smiling at me. The look in his eyes clearly said that I looked the part. But as I got closer, I saw something more. He was beaming. Maybe he was proud of me? Or relieved that I cleaned up well?

  I actually got a little misty as Liam kissed me on the cheek, then took my hand, placing it symbolically in Jacob’s. I instantly relaxed a little. From this moment on, I’d be beside him, and he would take care of me. I almost laughed when I realized some brides would be having the exact same thought, but be thinking about the rest of their lives, not pulling a scam on family and friends for the next year.

  Jacob had selected the officiant, who he had met at his friend’s wedding last winter. Mr. Bertram was a warm, funny man who kept things light with a few sweet jokes, stories about love, and very short vows.

  The only thing we changed, hoping that nobody would notice, was the line, “Until death do us part.” Apparently it was becoming a common thing among superstitious brides that mentioning death at a wedding was incredibly bad luck. We changed it to, “For as long as we shall both grow in love.” That was certainly more romantic, and a bit more honest in our case.

  Before I even knew what was happening, our wedding bands were on, and I heard the words, “You may now kiss the bride.” Turning to Jacob in a daze, he smiled sweetly as he swept me into his arms.

  I thought he would keep it chaste, a simple peck since it was a formal occasion. But as his lips dissolved into mine, I sensed so much more. He wanted me, I could feel it. This sweet, handsome, sexy man wanted me through and through. Our lips parted slightly, both of us trying to hold back our obvious hunger.

  The feeling was fascinating, but my brain wasn’t really checked in enough to analyze it. My guts, my body, my bones, all suddenly wanted him with a thirst that poured through me. The stress of the past few weeks dissolved, and all I knew was that I wanted to stay in his arms, where everything was warm and simple.

  He reluctantly pulled away, and a look of pure shock flashed between us. Jacob’s lips curved up in a charming smile, as he turned us toward the c
rowd while they cheered. As his hand moved to the center of my back, I could feel his palm flinch in surprise. He shot me a sharp glance, and I gave him a saucy wink. My dress was backless, and as those warm, firm fingers meandered across my bare skin, I knew I had made the right choice. This would keep me calm, and keep him touching me, all night long.

  JACOB

  <<< 23 >>>

  FOR THE PHOTOS

  As everyone was entering the hall just before dinner, I pulled my new bride aside. “Mia, I’m sorry. I know we’re keeping things businesslike and friendly between us, but I need to say something.” She looked worried, as if she had done something wrong. “Sweetie, you are always astounding beautiful. But today you’re so radiant... It’s like light is bending around you to create a halo. I can’t stop staring at you.”