Mr. Mistake: A Fake Marriage Romance (Mr. Mistake Series Book 1)

by Karice Bolton

  I wasn’t even on board for the challenge in the first place, and yet I couldn’t get Maddox McKenzie out of my head.

  He was my Mr. Perfect. Everything I’d ever want in a man and in a relationship. He was attentive, loyal, attractive, funny, kind…

  The list was endless.

  And he wasn’t mine.

  Like, truly mine.

  And I wasn’t his.

  We were still caught in this make-believe world with no way out, only now, the stakes were so much higher. The ending to all this scared me.

  I didn’t want to fail.

  I didn’t want to disappoint.

  But I also didn’t want to go through with it.

  Every time I saw Maddox, it felt like I was jumping out of the plane all over again. My heart soared and fell and spiraled and sizzled, all from one glance with those beautiful blue eyes of his.

  That was it. One look from him and my world went sideways.

  And his smile. Don’t even get me started on those gorgeous lips.

  Sleeping with him was life-changing and made it impossible to see him without wanting more of him. I’d wanted to do the friends with benefits thing with him, and now that we’d crossed that boundary, I wasn’t sure what to do.

  It was like balancing three different lives. On the one hand, I had feelings for him. On the other hand, I had a fake relationship going with him, and finally, becoming good friends with him was like walking a tightrope of emotional trauma. I was afraid to fall too deeply into any of my roles. If I pretended too hard, I’d learn to ignore the emotions I had for him. If I let myself fall even harder for him, when this was all over, I’d be heartbroken, and lastly, if I continued to do the friends with benefits play, I’d mentally fail because I wasn’t that kind of girl, which led back to the first two issues. I was either in this or I was out of this.

  It didn’t help that we’d spent all day yesterday at my house, vegging on the couch and watching movies. We started with Something’s Gotta Give, which somehow led in the opposite direction, and we finished the afternoon with Die Hard and Zombieland. It was the most fun I’d had doing nothing in a long time. He’d kissed me goodbye at the end of it all, and it was nice.

  Nice in the sense that it had me longing for more and questioning why he didn’t stay over.

  My mom sat across from me at Gabby’s Goodies and drank her mocha. Maddox was going to meet us in about twenty minutes to pick our flavors for the wedding cake. We didn’t need a big one, but I wanted plenty to freeze to snack on for months to come.

  “You’ve gotten yourself into a real pickle.” She smiled, and I nodded. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re flummoxed.”

  “Sage advice once more.” I laughed and sat back in the chair.

  The smell of cinnamon swirled through the air, and the sound of coffee grinding rattled through the building. The bakery was hopping on this Saturday morning, and I was happy to see the lines out the door. It meant my favorite bakery and espresso store would be staying open on Fireweed Island.

  “I know we’ve never been open about things like this, but…” My mom drew in a breath and couldn’t complete her sentence, which only made me chuckle.

  “Yes, we’ve slept together.” I let out a sigh. “But only once.”

  She nodded.

  “And it took me over the edge. I knew I was developing feelings for him, but that night left no doubt in my mind or heart about him.”

  My mom smiled and nodded. “I had that feeling.” She took a sip of her mocha. “The way you two look at one another...” Her voice trailed off, and she looked out toward the Sound.

  “Part of me sees that too.” I bit my lip and thought about how much to tell my mom. “But I’m worried it’s just me wanting to see it because I’m falling for him. Like yesterday…We watched movies all day, and then he left. I think I’m falling for him, but I don’t know if it’s reciprocal.”

  “Honey.” She reached for my hand. “You’re not falling for him. You’re in love with him.”

  My gaze flashed to hers, and I sucked in a deep breath. “I know. I know I am.” I groaned. “And it seems absolutely, certifiably crazy.”

  She laughed. “It’s not crazy. People make too big of a thing about feelings. Either you’re attracted or you’re not. Either your personalities click or they don’t. People nowadays overcomplicate things.”

  I laughed. “You think? Look at the mess I’m in.”

  “All self-created, might I add.” She chuckled.

  “Maddox is pretty amazing.” I toyed with my napkin. “I do wonder what would have happened had I not asked him to prank my friends.”

  “My hunch is right where you are now, minus a wedding.” She nodded. “It’s apparent to everyone that you both have feelings for one another.”

  “But he’s an outstanding actor.” I tilted my head and thought back to that night. He wasn’t acting then. “And I’m a terrible actor.” I shook my head. “So, I don’t know why he doesn’t seem to get that I’m totally falling for him.”

  “Correction, in love with him.”

  “A little.” I pinched my fingers together. “But I know it could grow into a lot.”

  My mom nodded. “When I met your father, he was so sure of himself—so sure of us—that his confidence actually scared me. We had a whirlwind romance, but I never looked back. I’d never change a thing, and I’m glad I didn’t listen to all those pessimists who told me it wouldn’t last. It was all too quick. They’re divorced, and I’m still giddy over seeing your dad come home after work.”

  “The funny thing is that I wouldn’t change anything either.” I shook my head and took a sip of my latte. “And that doesn’t make sense to me.”

  My mom grew quiet and nodded. She looked over the water and brought her gaze back to mine.

  “Dorothy revealed something to me,” she said quietly.

  I pressed my lips into a fine line and nodded. “Maddox knows and told me as well.”

  “He does?” She seemed surprised.

  “Yeah.” I let out a sigh. “His dad told him, but he’d figured it out already. My heart just aches for him, for her…for the family.”

  “She looks so good. Her attitude is amazing.” My mom shook her head. “But the prognosis isn’t the greatest.”

  “Why won’t she tell Maddox?” I asked, wondering if maybe my mom had better insight since she was a parent. It made no sense to me.

  “I actually asked her that same question.” Sadness filled my mom’s gaze. “I couldn’t imagine keeping news like that from you.”

  I nodded, relieved about that, at least.

  “Dorothy knows she doesn’t have long. She didn’t want her sons to change their lives for her, but she says that seeing how Maddox has completely changed since having you in his life has made her feel at peace.”

  “Really?” I asked, feeling my throat tighten.

  “Yeah. Dorothy’s so excited, and she doesn’t want to put a damper on anything.”

  “If I hadn’t brought this ridiculous—”

  My mom shook her head frantically. “Don’t think like that. We live life each day not knowing our fate, or the fate of the ones we love. You can’t second-guess choices you’ve made.”

  “I do a pretty good job of it.” I sighed, sliding my head into my hands. “I just….”

  “What is it?”

  “I just wish it were real.” Tears unexpectedly filled my eyes, and I quickly dabbed them away with my napkin. “I mean, I know it’s not.” I sniffled, feeling absolutely crazy. “It’s just the best relationship I’ve ever had, real or not.”

  My mom let out a deep exhale and shook her head. “And that makes me so sad.”

  “Sad?”

  She nodded. “You told yourself this wasn’t real, so you finally let your guard down with him and let the real Tessa show through, and he loves it. He loves you. Those emotions aren’t make-believe. Your circumstance might be, but you can change that going forward.”


  “I doubt that he loves me.” I shook my head. “We’re just shy a month of knowing one another. Getting married in less than a week.” I groaned.

  “Do you realize that people know in one-fifth of a second if they are attracted to someone and all those amazing in-love chemicals start rushing in?” my mom asked. “One-fifth of a second. That’s all it takes, so all those people who say insta-love isn’t real don’t know the true science of it.”

  “Where’d you come up with that?” I laughed.

  “I read it about ten years ago in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “I don’t even want to know why you were reading that.”

  She chuckled and continued, “All I’m saying is that maybe this is a lot more real than either of you wants to admit.”

  “Wishful thinking.” I dabbed my nose and nodded as I glanced at the door.

  Maddox and his mom walked into the bakery, and it was like my world stood still. He had a beanie on, shades, and a black tee. It was a more casual side of Maddox that I hadn’t really seen much of. Usually, he was in button-downs, coming or going from work. It was a beautiful look.

  “Mom, he brought Dorothy. Do I look like I’ve been crying?” I sniffed.

  “Only marginally.”

  I rolled my eyes and cursed my mom’s honesty.

  Maddox spotted us, and he and his mom waved and came over. They were both smiling and seemed genuinely happy to be here. I didn’t know if Maddox was just thrilled to be with his mom or if he actually wanted to try some cake.

  As his mom sat next to mine, Maddox leaned over and embraced me. His lips skimmed my ear. “I thought she might love this.”

  I gave a quick nod, and he kissed my cheek. “I’m so excited to taste the flavors.”

  “Me too.” He sat next to me and turned his chair so he could see me easier. “It’s a great day for it.”

  “Yes,” Dorothy agreed. “The ferry ride was gorgeous, and the temperature isn’t too hot. Let’s just hope it’s like this on your wedding day.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?” I laughed. “You never know in Washington.”

  She grimaced. “No, you really don’t.”

  Gabby spotted Maddox and his mom and smiled. She gave a quick wave, and a rush of excitement came over me. We were really doing this. Choosing our wedding cake.

  “Should we start the sampling?” Gabby asked, and I nodded. “What would you two like to drink?”

  Dorothy smiled and glanced at her son. “Just some water for me.”

  “A couple of shots of espresso would be awesome. Thanks.” Maddox slid his hand onto my knee and squeezed it gently. “You ready for this? It’s like the last thing we have to do before our wedding.”

  “I know.” I laughed and noticed our moms were already in deep conversation. “I have to confess that I don’t know how someone can take an entire year or more to plan a wedding. It would drive me nuts.”

  He laughed and nodded. “Me too.”

  “I just want it all done. Dress. Check. Flowers. Check. Venue. Check. Food. Check.” I shivered. “Why carry it on? Either you know or you don’t.”

  “Yeah.” He nodded slowly, his blue eyes staying on mine. “Either you know or you don’t.”

  A flitter of excitement ran through me from the look he was giving me, but I pushed my hope aside and focused on the task at hand.

  Eating cake.

  Gabby brought over a tray with a stack of plates and forks, and then a four-tiered platter filled with samples.

  “I hope you’re hungry.” She set it down and began explaining the different flavors, and it was like I’d literally found heaven.

  “We have carrot with cream cheese frosting, vanilla with raspberry champagne frosting, tiramisu…” As she continued setting samples down, I glanced at Maddox, who looked like he was super into this. Not acting. Like genuinely excited about picking out the cakes.

  Or eating the cake.

  Either way.

  He took a bite of a lemon cake with blueberry frosting, and he grinned dopily. “Wow.” He sliced more with his fork and lifted the cake up to my lips. His gaze locked on mine, and somehow, the most innocent gesture turned into something more sensual than I could ever imagine.

  I opened my mouth, and he gently fed me the lemon goodness as I closed my eyes and let out a little moan of pure bliss.

  “Should we leave you three alone?” Dorothy laughed as I blinked my eyes open.

  I giggled and shook my head. “You’ve got to try this.”

  Dorothy smiled and helped herself to the lemon cake. The moment it touched her lips, she was sold, closing her eyes and puckering her lips in satisfaction. “Incredible.”

  “Well, I can’t be left out.” My mom laughed. “Let me at it.”

  This lemon cake was for sure one of the flavors, but seeing the reaction of our moms and feeling the joy and happiness at this table made me extremely grateful for whatever this relationship was.

  Maybe our relationship would always stay at this stage.

  Maybe it would evolve.

  Either way, I allowed myself to feel the tenderness of this moment. It almost felt sacred, and I felt honored that Maddox was sharing it with me.

  I reached over and held his hand, squeezing it as his gaze connected with mine. The same tenderness I felt radiated through his gaze.

  These moments were what mattered, what counted in life. None of the other noise did. It didn’t matter if the relationship was real or fake. These moments were as real as they could be, and I cherished every single one of them.

  By the time we finished choosing our flavors for our three-tiered cake, we had picked lemon with blueberry frosting, chocolate with praline filling, and an espresso chocolate torte, and we could barely waddle out of the bakery.

  “It’s getting late.” My mom glanced at her watch and over at the ferry terminal. The next boat would be leaving soon.

  I noticed that Dorothy looked tired, and my heart pulled with sadness.

  “Darling, I don’t think I can make dinner like we planned.” She reached her hand to cup his face. “I’m going to have your dad just pick me up on the other side.”

  Maddox straightened up and shook his head. “No, don’t be ridiculous. I’ll ride back with you.”

  “No, I insist.” She smiled and glanced at me. “I’ve been fighting a little something off, and the quiet time on the boat will do me good.” She pulled out a book from her purse. “And I’m prepared.”

  Maddox shook his head again, but his mom pulled her shoulders back. “I already texted your father inside.”

  “And I’ll be on the ferry with her,” my mom told Maddox. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t go overboard.”

  Maddox laughed. “Fine. Two against one.”

  I rubbed his shoulder, and he turned to face me. “Well, since I got stood up by my mother, would you like to have dinner?”

  I pretended to yawn and stretch, glancing over my shoulder. “I don’t know. I’ve got some stuff to do, and it’s getting kind of late…”

  His grin widened.

  “But for you, I think I can make an exception.”

  “I parked across the street,” my mom told Dorothy. “Do you want me to bring the car around?”

  She shook her head. “I need all the exercise I can get.”

  My mom nodded, and I gave her a hug and a kiss before she dug through her purse for the keys. Maddox hugged his mom, and she whispered something in his ear I couldn’t hear, but it made him smile.

  Maddox looped his arm through mine as we watched our moms cross the street and trundle off toward my mom’s Audi.

  “My mom really enjoyed today,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head. “She loves you.”

  I reached for his hand. “How do you know?”

  “She told me.” He smiled.

  “Is that what she whispered?”

  He laughed. “Yeah. Her precise words were, I love her. Don’t let this one slip a
way.”

  I giggled and wondered if that were true. I’d hoped so.

  My mom gave one last wave as she pulled her car onto the road leading to the ferry terminal, and I let out a silent sigh. My mom was right. I wasn’t just falling for Maddox. I was in love with him.

  Maddox slowly turned me to face him.

  “I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” Maddox began, his eyes taking me in. “And T, I know nothing about us started the way we’d planned.”

  “True.” I nodded.

  “I wasn’t even the right guy to show up at your party.”

  I laughed softly and shook my head. “But I’m so grateful it was you.”

  “I never expected any of this.” He drew a deep breath, and I nodded.

  “I’ll bet.” I bit my lip and looked over his shoulder as he wound his arms around my waist. I hadn’t expected him to bring me so close, and I let out a little gasp under my breath. “I wish things had started out differently.”

  “I don’t. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.” His blue eyes stayed on mine.

  The same emotions I felt rested behind his gaze, and I wondered if we were about to make the biggest mistake of our lives.

  Chapter Twenty

  I’d convinced Maddox to let me cook dinner for him at my house. My famous balsamic and thyme chicken and potatoes were roasting in the oven, and Maddox was on my back porch looking at my small gardens. If you stood on the tips of your toes, you could see the Sound, but he seemed more fascinated by my vegetable gardens.

  Seeing him relaxed and just hanging out at my house made me wonder what would happen after we said I do. I’d move in with him, or maybe he’d move in with me, and we’d what?

  Pretend to be married?

  I carried two glasses of wine out to the porch, and he spun around slowly, smiling.

  “Thanks.” He took one of the glasses from me and took a sip. “I can see why you love living here. It’s so peaceful.”

  I nodded. “It is. I’ve gotten everything just the way I want it, except for an apple tree. I’d love to get an apple tree.”

  He laughed and followed me to the patio chairs where we took a seat. I’d made a quick dip and put out a veggie tray earlier, but I’d been so busy with preparing dinner that I hadn’t grabbed any yet and was starving.