[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  “Deal. And we’d better get out of the way, people are trying to get carts.” She tugged him aside. “What’s rule number two?” Her hand tingled where his skin touched hers.

  “No googling stuff on the Internet.”

  She pretended to pout. “Fine. Rule three?”

  “We both have to see the item before we can cross it off.” He took a pencil from his shirt pocket.

  “Makes sense. Any more?”

  “Maybe we should set a time limit.”

  She peered up at him, brushing a strand of hair back over her ear. “Why?”

  “Because this might take forever.”

  “I’m pretty competitive.”

  He grinned. “So am I.”

  “Then let’s go!” She tugged him into the store, heading for the soup aisle. When her five minutes were up, she’d already crossed off three items, but none were in the same row.

  “My turn,” he said, a sly look on his face.

  “You know, this middle one is supposed to be the free square. I have no idea what monocalcium phosphate is, or how to find it.”

  He glanced at his sheet. “Yeah? Well, you put ‘Person in hair net’ on mine.”

  “See? I gave you an easy one.”

  “Oh, I forgot they have a deli here.”

  They ran like idiots, hands clasped together, so he could check off his middle square, Dale struggling to keep up with the camera. Megan couldn’t help but get into the game, timing him and getting excited when she found another square to mark off. After a few more turns, she held up her card. “If I can find Glucuronolactone, I’ll have a two-way bingo.”

  “I just need to find someone wearing pajamas.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s usually pretty easy.”

  “Really? Do sweats count?” He pointed to a girl shuffling toward the frozen foods.

  “No. Those could be workout clothes. They need to be obvious sleepwear.”

  “All right, I’ve got five minutes, I can do this.” His face grew determined. “How fast can you run?”

  “Faster than you.”

  “Oh, you are so wrong.” He took off down the aisle, and she followed. When they got to the end, Megan underestimated how quickly she needed to turn. She slammed into the corner of the potato chip display. Bags of Lays Barbecue flew everywhere, and she stumbled, landing right on one. A loud popping noise sounded, and chips shot out, skittering down the tile floor.

  A frumpy woman in Walmart attire rushed to her. “Hey, what are you doing?”

  Adam came to her side and picked up a bag of chips. “I’m sorry, it was my fault. I’ll pay for the broken merchandise.” He stooped and picked up several more bags. Megan’s throat grew tight. He didn’t have to take responsibility. It was obviously her fault. She wasn’t sure what to think about him stepping up and helping. Most of the time, people blamed her for things that went wrong.

  The woman noticed Dale standing there filming and recognition dawned in her eyes. “You’re Adam Warner!”

  Adam gave her a sexy smile. “Yes.”

  She fluffed her hair, smiling at the camera. “Well, no harm done. Just be careful in the future.”

  His grin widened. “Cross my heart.”

  As they cleaned up their mess, Adam leaned over. “I wonder how many dates will end with us getting kicked out of some place?”

  She giggled. “Let’s not find out.”

  Chapter 10

  Adam stuffed the last bag of potato chips back on the display and wiped his hands on his jeans. “Hey, look,” he said, nudging her with his elbow. A young child in red footie pajamas wandered down the aisle, trailing after his mother. “Ha!”

  She peered at him through her lashes. “I guess you win.”

  “You owe me dinner.” He hooked his thumbs through his belt loops and rocked back on his heels. He’d enjoyed this date more than he expected. Megan was fun to be around.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “I have an idea.” He slipped his hand around hers, the warmth of her touch increasing his pulse. “Come on.”

  They went to the register, and he paid for the broken merchandise. Then they climbed back into the car, the sun hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows across the lot.

  Megan fastened her seatbelt. “You’re not going to tell me where we’re headed, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  She tossed him a mock-angry look. “Fine, just remember, I’ll get you back if you choose wrong.”

  He threw the car into drive and backed out of the parking space. “There’s such a thing as a wrong restaurant?”

  “Yes.”

  He held in a chuckle and raised an eyebrow at her. She was something else. “Like what?”

  Her lip twitched. “Chuck E. Cheese.”

  This time he couldn’t help but laugh. “You think I’d take you to a kid’s place?”

  “You asked for an example.”

  “Okay. Got it. No climbing mazes.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Anything else I should avoid?”

  She crossed her shapely legs, and he averted his gaze. “Nothing too expensive. I’m on a budget.”

  “Deal. Anything else?”

  “I don’t want to sit on the floor, eat with my hands, or watch belly dancers.”

  “You’re no fun.” He changed lanes, thinking of the perfect place to take her. Five minutes later, they pulled into the Hooters parking lot.

  Megan’s eyes grew wide. “You’re kidding.”

  He pulled through the lot and went out the other side, to the Mongolian Grill.

  She slugged his arm. “You’re mean.”

  He parked the car. “They do have great food. Plus, it was worth it to see your face when I pulled into a breastaurant.”

  “Haha, funny.”

  They entered the Mongolian Grill, the smell of garlic and ginger making his mouth water. The hostess walked them to their booth past large murals of gold leaf dragons and waterfalls.

  After their food arrived, Megan leaned forward. “What are you doing for Easter?”

  He stabbed some noodles with his fork and glanced at the camera. “Visiting my father.”

  “Oh. He lives in Iowa, right?”

  “Yeah.” This was not what he wanted to be talking about. He decided to turn the tables on her. “What’re you doing?”

  “Nothing special.” She looked at him, and he realized too late he’d look like a jerk if he didn’t invite her to come with him. They were dating. It was only natural she’d meet his father. But he couldn’t. Not on camera. How could he get out of it?

  He nodded. “We should get together when I get back. Color some eggs or something.”

  Her eyes lit up. “I haven’t done that since I was a kid.”

  “It’s a date then.” He breathed a sigh of relief, successfully deflecting the conversation away from his father. Not that he didn’t want Megan to meet him, that wasn’t it. He wasn’t ashamed of him. But it couldn’t be on camera. He would not give Leon the chance to mock his father.

  Luckily, the subject of family did not come up again.

  MEGAN EYED ADAM AS he pulled off the interstate and onto the highway leading to Sugar Springs. Every time the subject of family came up, he acted weird. Changed the topic. She knew what it was like, she had family issues of her own. But her curiosity was getting the better of her. She was going to ask him—as soon as they were alone, without Dale in the car filming their every move.

  Adam flipped on the radio, and a soft rock song filled the car. She raised an eyebrow. “Air Supply? This is what you listen to in your 68 Mustang?”

  He just grinned and sang along to ‘Even the Nights are Better,’ in a falsetto voice.

  “Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said you couldn’t sing.” She laughed.

  He grabbed his chest. “You wound me, milady.”

  A flash streaked across the road, and Adam swerved. There was the sickening thud of something hitting the car, and then scr
eeching tires filled the air. When they were stopped on the side of the road, Adam swore under his breath and hopped out.

  Megan’s heart raced. What was that? They obviously hit something, and it sounded about the size of a dog. She jumped out, her throat tightening. Adam ran into the ditch and knelt.

  As Megan approached, she gasped. “A deer.”

  Adam leaned over the animal, speaking in hushed tones. “It’s just a fawn. Not yet a year old.” Dale climbed into the ditch to get a good shot.

  The headlights weren’t pointed directly at them, but they provided enough light. A large part of the skin on the hind section of the animal had been ripped off, revealing muscle and bone. Megan drew in a breath and covered her mouth. The deer twitched in obvious pain. “Can we do something?”

  Adam scooped the fawn into his arms, holding it close. He looked at its pupils, pressed his fingers into its neck, and checked it over. The deer struggled at first, kicking its legs, but after Adam stroked its fur, it settled down.

  Megan worried her hands. “Can you bandage it up?”

  Adam didn’t answer, he just stroked the deer’s neck and whispered in its ear.

  Panic filled Megan. “Should we take it to your place?”

  He shook his head. “No. There’s not enough time. She’s dying.” His voice was husky.

  Her heart jumped into her throat. She sat and helplessly watched as Adam caressed the deer, its head sagging, its breathing shallow. Adam continued to speak softly to the animal. Minutes stretched, but soon the animal slumped and was still.

  Adam stayed kneeling on the grass, holding the deer, for what seemed like an eternity. Megan shifted her weight, unsure of what to do. “Adam?”

  Her voice snapped him out of his trance. He gingerly set the deer on the ground, then stomped off to the car. He opened the trunk and came back with a shovel. He picked up the fawn and headed toward the trees. When Dale began to follow, she put her hand up. “Dale, not now.” Then she left him standing in the grass.

  The farther away from the car they got, the darker it was. Megan picked her way over the uneven surface, hoping she didn’t catch a root and fall flat on her face. She watched Adam carefully lay the small fawn’s body down. Then he attacked the ground with the shovel, his muscles bulging from beneath his blood-stained shirt, sweat forming on his forehead.

  Megan wasn’t sure what to do, so she watched as the hole grow bigger and deeper. When she was sure it was large enough, she stepped forward. He showed no signs of stopping.

  “Adam.”

  He ignored her, continuing to dig, his face red with the effort.

  She walked closer, careful not to get hit with the shovel. “Adam. Stop.” She grabbed his arm.

  He jerked his head up, staring at her like he wasn’t seeing her. Neither of them moved for a breathless moment.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” she whispered, stepping into the hole to be closer.

  His shoulders slumped. “Yes, it was.”

  “No.” She took the shovel from him and tossed it on the ground. “You tried to swerve.”

  “I should have been paying closer attention.”

  She put her arms around him, drawing him near. His cologne mixed with his masculine smell made her knees weak. “It wasn’t your fault,” she repeated.

  He held her in a crushing embrace, and they stood in silent mourning for the life of the small deer. She was sure he could feel the pounding of her heart against his chest. After a moment, he released her, his eyes moist. “We’d better hurry. I saw a flash of lightning.”

  They buried the body, scooping the last of the dirt on top just as the rain started to fall. Megan ran to the car, Adam on her heels. Dale was already in the back seat.

  No one spoke as Adam drove her home. When they got to her apartment doorstep, he stepped back. “Sorry. I’m a mess.”

  Her throat closed with emotion. She didn’t care about the blood on his shirt or the dirt under his nails. She’d caught a glimpse into Adam’s heart tonight. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “I’m sure you won’t want me to—”

  She silenced him with her kiss. He seemed surprised at first, but then put his arms around her. Her head swam, and she pulled back.

  He stared at her, as if trying to figure out what she was thinking.

  “Good night,” she whispered.

  After shutting her door, she leaned against it, her heart fluttering. What was wrong with her? Adam wasn’t to be trusted. She knew that. He was in cahoots with Leon.

  But she’d seen a softer side of him tonight. Right?

  Wait. She shook her head. He put on a facade every day for the cameras. It had to be fake. He had to be playing it up for the cameras. The whole thing with the deer was an act. A show for the viewers, and to fool her into liking him.

  Anger built up inside her, and she tossed her shoes in the closet. She’d almost fallen for it. Adam, the sensitive. Right. He was such a jerk.

  But something about the evening bugged her. And when she slipped into her nightgown it hit her.

  He hadn’t once looked at his car to see if there was any damage.

  Chapter 11

  Adam drove down the wet street, Dale in the passenger seat, the camera on his lap. A chime sounded, and he took out his phone. “Leon wants us to film you and Megan dying eggs tomorrow.”

  Adam nodded. Of course. He’d known that would happen. “Sure. Whatever.” Irritation slid over him. Didn’t he get any time with Megan away from the camera? Where did his private life end, and his public life begin? He stopped the car in the station parking lot. “I hope Leon’s paying you enough.”

  Dale slid out of the car, grinning. “Oh, yeah. By the time this is done, I’ll be rich.” He ran into the building.

  The rain had stopped, and a fresh spring smell filled the air. Instead of pulling out of the lot, Adam picked up his phone and dialed Megan.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey. I wanted to talk to you without...you know...anyone listening in.”

  A muffled sound came through the phone, like she was holding it against her shoulder. “Yeah?”

  Might as well plunge right in. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask you to spend Easter with me.”

  “Oh, I wasn’t fishing for an invitation.”

  “No, I’d love for you to come with me. To meet my father.”

  She was silent, and sudden nerves assaulted him. Was that too forward? Was he presuming too much?

  Another muffled sound came through. “Um, sure. Okay.”

  He’d better downplay it. “I mean, it’s no big deal. It’s not like the big ‘meet the family’ thing.” More silence, and he slapped his palm against his forehead. Why had he said that?

  “Yeah. I wasn’t thinking it was.”

  “Of course you weren’t. It’s just...well, my father...he’s a little different.” He inwardly groaned. Could he possibly screw this conversation up more? Way to sell the idea to her. Maybe he could throw in a promise to toss her down the stairs and pour lemon juice on her cuts.

  She laughed. “I’m sure no scarier than my family.”

  He let out a nervous chuckle. “No, I’m sure not.” Wait, had he just insulted her family? “I mean, he’s harmless.” Nice save. He closed his eyes and banged his head back against the headrest. “I’ll pick you up in the morning. We can go eat lunch with my father, then Leon wants to film us coloring eggs.”

  She sighed. “Of course he does.”

  Finally, neutral ground. They spoke for a minute about Leon’s intrusiveness and then hung up. Adam stared at the phone. He hoped tomorrow would go better than his gut was telling him it would. Why had he invited her along, anyway?

  MEGAN’S STOMACH TWISTED in a knot any Boy Scout would be proud of. Adam would arrive soon...without Dale. She’d kind of gotten used to the whole ‘pretend for the camera’ thing. Was this considered a real date, then?

  She was going to meet his father. No pressure, right? She paced the room, butterflies assaul
ting her middle. She didn’t like Adam. Couldn’t like him. Couldn’t trust him.

  But when she looked into his clear blue eyes, that fact was hard for her to remember. In fact, it was hard for her to even breathe when he was around.

  Her cell phone chimed, and she pulled it out. Wendy. She sighed and answered.

  “When is Adam coming over to dye Easter eggs?”

  Megan glanced at the clock. “In a few hours.” No way was she telling her sister about meeting his father. She’d take it the wrong way.

  “What’s going on? Why do you sound so strange?”

  Dang, her sister could always tell when she was lying. “I have to go. Something is about to burn in the oven.” She cringed. Lame.

  “Really? You’re lying. What’s really going on?”

  “Nothing. I swear.”

  The door buzzed, and Megan jumped. “That was the timer. I really have to go. Talk to you later!” She hung up and pressed the button to let Adam in. That was close. If her sister had heard his voice, there’d have been no getting off the phone until she’d spilled everything.

  When she opened her door, she about swallowed her tongue, he looked so good in a pair of jeans and a short sleeve button down shirt. And he smelled woodsy and clean. How was she going to keep her head on straight?

  He fidgeted. “Before we go, I should tell you something. My father has some issues.”

  “Don’t we all?” She waved his worry away. “We can talk about it in the car.”

  As soon as they were on the road, she asked, “How far are we headed?”

  “Just outside of Council Bluffs.”

  “That’s close. Do you visit often?”

  He tapped the steering wheel. “As often as I can.”

  “And you didn’t want Dale coming because...?”

  The car sped up as he merged onto the interstate. “My father’s in a mental institution.” The words came out quietly.

  Shock rang through her. That wasn’t what she was expecting. She blinked, unable to think of anything to say.