“Yeah, some playboy,” she said with a chuckle she didn’t feel. She shifted in her seat. Is it hot in here?
When the silence dragged on, Maddie’s eyes widened. “Oh. My. Goodness!” She pushed her sandwich out of the way, then with a second thought brought it back and took a hearty bite. “Details,” she mumbled, chewing fast.
No house of cards could have folded faster.
“Oh, Maddie, it was terrible,” she blurted.
Maddie’s mouth dropped open. “Jack’s a terrible kisser?”
“Oh, no. He’s a good kisser.” Incredible kisser, she mentally corrected. “But the situation is terrible. I love David and there I was, all ready to have sex with another man.”
“Sex?” Maddie choked. “Whoa.” She straightened her shoulders and began fanning her hands in front of her face. “Stop fast forwarding on me. How’d we go from one kiss to sex with Jack?”
“I didn’t have sex with Jack. I would have had sex with him. I think. At least, I had some good sense left and stopped it.”
“That doesn’t sound like good sense to me,” Maddie muttered.
“Trust me, it is. Jack hasn’t made it a secret that he’s looking for a brief fling, and David’s at least somewhat interested in a relationship. It’s not such a tough choice once you step back and look at the big picture.”
“Yeah, but right now, you don’t have either.”
Sabrina couldn’t argue with that, and feeling worse than ever, she slumped over her salad with her head held in her hands. Her emotions were jumbled up. She’d thought she had it together going into Jack’s scheme, what she wanted out of life: commitment, marriage, family, stability. With David. But now all she could think about was Jack.
Maddie reached across the table and patted her shoulder. “Take it easy, honey. Maybe you’re overanalyzing this attraction.”
“I don’t know,” she groaned. “I guess I’m trying to protect myself. At this point, there’s no more to think about anyway. Jack and I agreed to just stay friends, which is for the best. I mean, a guy like that hasn’t made the Top Ten Bachelors of New England for five years in a row without good reason. He obviously wants to remain a bachelor.”
Maddie didn’t bother hiding the disappointment in her voice. “I suppose that’s true. Lucky for you that you’re aware of all this now.”
“Lucky?”
“Yeah. By knowing everything beforehand, there’s no chance you could let yourself get attached to Jack.”
“Uh, right.” Sabrina felt a knot form in her throat. “Lucky me.”
…
Jack’s door was closed when they got back from lunch. Uh-oh. He was back from his morning appointment, which meant she’d have to face him sometime today. But first she had to face his father. Tossing her purse inside her drawer, she knocked on Mr. Brenner’s door, then took a peek in.
Mr. Brenner looked up, removed his glasses, and gestured to a chair. “Please sit down, Sabrina.”
She did, and for the first time since she was hired, felt some unease. “What did you want to talk to me about, sir?”
“I’ve been seeing good reports on Jack’s traveling and sales numbers for you two, as well as some other things I’m very pleased to see.”
She let out a rush of relieved air. “Oh yes. We’ve been working hard to keep our expenses down, too”
“I have a feeling it’s all because of you.”
She flushed. “I haven’t really been doing much. In fact, Jack has been taking all the initiative himself with the territory.”
He nodded thoughtfully and folded his hands. “Jack’s trying to make a good impression.”
“He wants you to believe in him.”
“I’m not the one he’s trying to impress.”
She cocked her head. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“It’s okay, sweetie. You don’t have to hide it anymore. I know exactly what’s going on here.”
Uh, oh. The jig is up. He’d figured out Jack was trying to look good to the board by pretending to have a serious relationship with her.
“It wasn’t my idea!” she blurted. “I didn’t want to do it at first.”
“You gave him a fight, did you?” He chuckled. “Well, good for you.”
She blinked. “You’re not upset?”
“Upset? I’m tickled pink. Jack’s used to getting his own way. I’m glad you made him work a little to get what he wanted.”
Several seconds ticked by. “Mr. Brenner, what are we talking about?”
“You and Jack, of course. But don’t think I’m going to go easy on your workload just because you’re dating my son.” He gave her a devilish grin that instantly reminded her of Jack. She went very still.
“Uh, yes, Jack and I are…” This was part of the agreement. Play along, stupid. But for some reason she had trouble saying the words out loud. “Mr. Brenner, I would never ever presume to get any special treatment.”
“Now, now, don’t get defensive. I know you. You would never do anything like that. That’s why I’m so pleased Jack saw all those wonderful qualities in you. I have to tell you, you’re exactly the kind of girl I hoped he would start dating. Always seeing those fancy-faced airheads. It’s about time he started noticing someone with beauty and brains. It will be especially nice for my daughter Laurie to have a female to talk to on Thanksgiving.”
“Thanksgiving?”
“Yes. Don’t tell me Jack didn’t mention Thanksgiving Day plans with you yet. Laurie always has the family at her house for the holidays.”
The ground shifted beneath her. “Of course he mentioned Thanksgiving to me,” she said with a nervous laugh. “Why wouldn’t he, since I’m his”—she swallowed—“girlfriend.”
“Excellent. We’ll look forward to having you.”
Her stomach clenched tight. She hadn’t counted on this. More lies.
Silence fell between them as Sabrina gazed into the man’s happy face. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she wasn’t coming to dinner, but finally managed a weak, “Was there anything else, Mr. Brenner?”
“No, that’s all,” he said, putting his glasses back on. “You keep an eye on my boy and continue showing him what he’s been missing out on by always putting work first.”
She forced a smile. “Yeah, will do.” Somehow she was able to stand, and although her legs were shaky, they got her through the door with some mode of decorum.
Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh. She had to talk to Jack. She’d never considered how far their charade might have to go. Now she was expected to go to Jack’s sister’s house for the holidays? No. She couldn’t. She had to draw the line of deceit there. With the steadfastness of a nuclear missile, she dashed across the room and, without knocking, stormed into Jack’s office.
“Typically when a door is closed, you knock first,” he told her matter-of-factly. “But since you’re my adoring fake girlfriend, I’ll let it slide this time.”
“Shut it, Jack. We’ve got trouble.”
Jack leaned against the back of his leather chair. He met her eyes squarely, but there was a trace of a smile on his lips. “We’ve got trouble?”
“Yes. Your dad wants me to spend Thanksgiving with you and your family.”
He cocked an eyebrow and waited. “And?”
“No and. That’s it. That’s the problem.”
“That is not a problem. That is a deal-making fact.”
She gasped. “You have to change it then. I can’t do it. I thought we would just be pretending in public and around the office. But this… I can’t go to your sister’s home and pretend to be your girlfriend in front of your family. I’ll screw it up. I’m a terrible liar one on one.”
Chuckling, Jack stood, then walked over to her. “Calm yourself,” he told her, cupping his palms over her shoulders. “You’ll be fine. Tell you what, I promise to keep the nuzzling to a bare minimum if it makes you feel better.”
“It doesn’t.”
He sighed. “Look, Sabrina, yo
u’re supposed to be my girlfriend. Where else would you be on Thanksgiving?”
She thought about that with a sinking depression. If she wasn’t back together with David by then, she’d spend Thanksgiving alone, probably having Chinese takeout. However awful that prospect was, it still beat lying to Jack’s family.
“I don’t know.” She shook her head so hard she thought her ears would ring. “Make up something. I don’t care. Anything. Just get me out of it. Please.”
Jack studied her for a long time, his expression leaving her guessing as to his thoughts. Then he reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Okay, I’ll talk to him if it’ll make you happy.”
Tension drained from her shoulders, but she still felt the heat on her ear where Jack’s fingers had touched. She lifted her hand to it, hoping to stop the sensation. “Th-thank you.”
She managed a small smile until she watched him walk back to his desk and sit down. “I mean talk to him now,” she said.
“Why?”
“Because your dad’s been treating me funny lately.” We’ve been acting funny lately. “I want it to end immediately.” I want these feelings I’m starting to have for you to end immediately.
He rolled his eyes and stood back up again. “Okay, if it means that much to you.”
She breathed out a sigh of relief. “More than you know.”
Sabrina followed Jack out of his office and didn’t miss the raised eyebrows Chris shot her from across the room. Choosing to ignore the look, she sat down at her desk and began her work as Jack went into his father’s office.
About fifteen minutes passed. She managed to return one brokerage call before Jack stuck his head out again. “Brie, can you come in here for a second?”
She scanned his expression for a verdict of his father’s reaction, but nothing registered on her radar. “Everything settled?” she asked slowly.
“Yes—more or less.”
She nodded and stood. It took all her courage to walk inside Mr. Brenner’s office. She expected to be met with disappointment, maybe even a little anger, but instead, she saw her boss just as happy as he was before. Huh. Jack must be a real spin doctor. But then again, Jack was good in sales for a reason.
She cleared her throat. “I guess,” she began tentatively, “that Jack explained everything to you.”
“Yes, he did.”
“Good. I’m so sorry, Mr. Brenner. I should have made myself clear earlier.”
Mr. Brenner nodded. “I totally understand. I promise to keep this quiet until you’re ready to do it yourself.”
She looked curiously to Jack, willing his eyes to hers, but he wouldn’t look up from staring down at his stupid cordovan shoes. What would she have to be ready to do herself?
She didn’t have to wait long for the answer.
Her boss’s smile widened as his arms extended out. Wings of panic started fluttering through her body even before Mr. Brenner pulled her in and enveloped her in a huge bear hug. “Welcome to the family,” he said heartily.
Welcome to the family?
Sabrina let that statement hang in her head for several seconds before she attempted to close her mouth and swallow. Then the situation came into focus. She was going to strangle Jack. That was all she could think as she stood embraced in his father’s arms. This was not correcting the problem. Jack had just made it a thousand times worse.
Mr. Brenner finally relaxed his arms and pulled back to smile warmly at her. “Sweetie, Jack explained how you wanted to keep things quiet because you were afraid how it would look, you know, so soon after your recent broken engagement.”
Sabrina saw her boss’s mouth moving, but her brain began to pop and fizz like a mouthful of Pop Rocks and she couldn’t make out a single word that followed. Jack must have realized it too, because he nudged her waist to get her attention.
“I completely understand why you wanted to downplay the whole thing,” Mr. Brenner went on. “But I married Jack’s mother after a weekend courtship, so I’m not concerned about you not dating each other long enough.” He cocked his head and gave his son a sly look. “Jack’s not getting any younger and I can certainly see why he wouldn’t want to wait and let you slip out of his hold.”
Her tongue still wouldn’t budge. But what could she say? Instead, she pinned her eyes so hard on Jack she thought they’d dart out of their sockets. Jack had the nerve to look confused. Mr. Brenner turned away from them to take a seat at his desk. Taking the unguarded opportunity, Sabrina drew back her foot and tried to kick Jack hard in the shin. But his reflexes were quicker, as he dodged her toe, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and tightly pulling her into his side. She tried to push away but his arms were like a vise. He clamped tighter as she tried to wiggle out, but the minute his father turned around they froze and stopped struggling with each other.
“I knew something special was going on between you two,” his father said, waving a finger at the two of them embraced in each other’s arms. “But still, this is the last thing I expected so soon.”
Jack grinned down at her. “Well, Dad, I think it was the last thing we all expected.”
She lifted her gaze heavenward. Definitely the understatement of the year.
His father smiled and turned toward her. “Sweetie, maybe it was because of your age or because of your family situation, but I always considered you like a daughter. So you can understand that this is doubly good news for me to hear. I hope you feel the same.”
Sabrina’s eyes began to fill up. He actually considered her like a daughter. Not one of her foster dads had ever said those words to her. But she had always longed to hear them, to feel as if she belonged. Then she remembered that none of this was real. The engagement. The potential family. It was all a lie, and her heart suddenly crumbled into a thousand pieces.
There was no way she could let this charade go on. But as if sensing she was about to throw herself on the mercy of the court and confess everything, Jack squeezed her shoulder to warn her off.
“I’m a changed man and Sabrina’s the reason,” Jack said, grinning down at her. “There’s only one woman for me now.” He looked as though he was about to kiss her, but she guessed when he saw her snarled lips, he thought better of it.
Wise move, buddy.
“Well, sometimes that’s all it takes,” his father agreed. “Finding the right woman. We should celebrate. How about you two joining me for dinner tonight?”
That prompted Sabrina to finally find her voice. “Um, Jack,” she spoke, looking up at him with what she knew was a saccharin smile, “remember I wasn’t going to be around tonight? You know, I have that…thing…to…to do.” Ugh. She really was a horrible liar. She hoped Jack would follow her lead and at the very least have the decency to get her out of dinner.
Jack caught on fast. “Oh yeah,” he let out slowly. “Sorry, Dad. She’ll have to take a rain check. We can all celebrate together when we do our big announcement.”
Oh yeah, she thought sarcastically, must do the big announcement.
“Okay then.” Mr. Brenner smiled, clasping his hands together. “You two better get back to work.”
Jack pivoted and pulled Sabrina along with him to the door. “Thanks for keeping things quiet for now, Dad.” He playfully rolled his eyes in Sabrina’s direction. “Wouldn’t want to take the wind out of Sabrina’s sails. She still has to brag to all her girlfriends.”
Sabrina moved fast this time. Freeing her arm, she elbowed him hard in the side. Jack winced but covered it with a quick grin. “Now I’ve embarrassed her,” she heard him explain as she marched through the door.
Her jaw clamped tight, Sabrina didn’t bother stopping at her desk. She didn’t even turn around to see if Jack was following. Eyes aimed straight ahead, she ignored the half dozen heads that turned in her direction, and she marched to Jack’s office. Once inside, she fumed and waited. Jack followed a few seconds behind. She whirled around to face him.
Pressing his lips tog
ether, Jack raised his hands in a calming gesture before closing the door behind him. “I know you’re upset,” he began.
She snorted. Loudly.
“Okay, really upset. But I think if you look at it from my point of view, you’ll see—”
“Your point of view? Jack, we only agreed to pretend to date. I asked you to simply get me out of Thanksgiving Day dinner and now your father thinks we’re getting married. Oh, and by the way, when you propose, you’re supposed to let your fiancée in on it.”
He let out a long sigh and when he spoke, his voice sounded low and defeated. “Look, you saw my dad. When I was in his office, he went on and on about us dating and how he was looking forward to Thanksgiving and me settling down. With what he’s gone through with his health recently and the argument we had earlier, I just couldn’t disappoint him again. A fake engagement is probably the closest thing to a real engagement he’s going to get from me. So what’s wrong with giving him a little temporary happiness?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know…”
“Brie, all I’m asking is that you stick out our agreement as my fiancée instead of my girlfriend. It’s making my dad really happy. Besides, didn’t you say David was close to the breaking point anyway?”
She hesitated. The thought of mending her relationship with David was almost an intrusion to what had been going on in her mind. “I—I suppose so.”
“There you go. I’ll continue to help you if you just let my dad enjoy the prospect of me getting married. At least until the next stockholder meeting.”
“What will you tell him at the end of that time frame?”
“Well, it needs to be a mutual breakup of some sort to look good to the board. Otherwise, I’d make myself out to be the total villain.”
“Well, naturally. That’s because you are the villain.” She tried to hold back her smile, but Jack must have seen it, because he broke out in one of his own.
“I do have a few reputable qualities,” he told her teasingly and slid his fingers through hers. “Since you’re my fiancée now, maybe you should try looking for them sometime.” He raised her hand and held it against his warm lips.
Fiance by Fate Page 13