He laughed again. “I thought that would pull you out of your funk.”
She glared at him. “I wasn’t in a funk.” The bed bounced as she plopped down. “I was trying to decide if life was worth living.”
He turned serious, and sat next to her. “Is it?”
She took a deep breath and exhaled, staring at her lap. William was a liar. She’d wasted a lot of time on him. He’d hurt her more than she wanted to admit. But Harrison knew. She looked up into his amazing blue eyes. He’d gone to a lot of trouble to make her feel better. He didn’t care two snits about ElfCon. He’d only gotten the tickets because she loved that kind of thing. “Yeah. It is.”
He took her in a one-arm hug, and electricity zinged through her. “Good. Now you’d better go shower. You smell awful.”
She shoved him.
He fell over on the bed, laughing.
“You meanie.”
He stood and crossed the room. “I almost forgot.” He opened the door and grabbed something hanging on the handle. His cheeks turned pink. “I got this for you.”
She stared at the most beautiful blue elven dress she’d ever seen, complete with flowing bell sleeves and matching cloak. The squeal just came out. “Eeeeeee! I love it!”
“I heard this was appropriate attire for something like ElfCon.”
“It’s perfect.” She eyed him. “But what will you wear?’
A small smile played on his lips. “You’ll see.”
HARRISON FELT LIKE an idiot. He paced the front hall, waiting for Penny to come down the curved staircase, trying not to step on his cloak. At least the leather boots were comfortable.
Trent walked in and stopped short. “What the...?”
Harrison scowled. “I know. You don’t have to say it.”
The stunned look on Trent’s face turned into a smirk. “Are you wearing a tunic?”
“I’m taking Penny to ElfCon. And by all means, go ahead and laugh, because you obviously want to.”
Trent chuckled. “Man. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you had it bad for her.”
Did he? He wasn’t sure. He turned away, not wanting to be badgered by his younger brother.
“Wait.” Trent grabbed Harrison’s arm, forcing him to look at his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’ve fallen for this girl?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s a means to an end.”
Trent’s eyes narrowed. “Uh, huh.”
From the look on his face, it was clear Trent didn’t believe him. He wasn’t even sure he believed himself. But before he had a chance to figure out his own feelings, he didn’t want anyone jumping to the wrong conclusions. Exasperated, he blurted, “I’m just trying to cheer her up after she found out the man she was supposed to marry was cheating on her.”
Trent stepped back. “Ouch.”
“Yes. She’s very upset. So please, be nice to her.”
His face turned contemplative. “This thing you’re doing. It’s so unlike you.”
Harrison folded his arms across his chest. “It will take her mind off—”
“No, not the ElfCon. I mean, this whole marriage-over-the-weekend thing.” Trent studied him. “I’m usually the one to run off and do crazy things. You’re the Harvard graduate. The reliable one.”
Trent was right. Harrison had been born to fill a role, and he’d never strayed from it. It was his duty to take over his father’s business. He was to carry on the legacy of the Williams name. While his brother, on the other hand, didn’t know the meaning of hard work. “Unlike you.”
Trent scowled, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he turned to look out the window.
Avoidance. He was good at that. Trent had dropped out of college, married to get his share of the trust fund, and now spent his time playing video games and hanging around the mansion. Harrison wasn’t sure when Trent would mature and decide what he wanted to be when he grew up.
Trent continued to stare out the window. “Yeah. Unlike me.”
“I didn’t mean—I just—don’t you want to do anything with your life?”
“Maybe I can work at the firm.”
Harrison’s mouth dropped open. “You want to work at the company?”
Trent turned and leaned against the staircase. “I don’t know. There’s got to be something I can do there.”
Harrison had never imagined Trent would want to work at the firm. He’d always been aloof when the topic had been discussed. But it was a family business. He supposed he could try to find something for him to do. “Why don’t you come in on Monday? We’ll see where we can put you.”
Trent pushed off the banister and headed down the hall. “Okay,” he said in that nonchalant way he always had.
How long would Trent last “working” for the corporation? Harrison wasn’t positive. But surely he could find something for him to do that wouldn’t totally screw up everything.
“What was that about?” Penny’s voice startled him, and he turned to see her at the top of the staircase. Her strawberry blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders in ringlets. The dress he’d purchased fit her perfectly. She looked like a medieval goddess. She lifted her skirt and started down the steps, her sparkling blue shoes peeking out from the material.
“Nothing.” All thoughts of Trent were gone. He couldn’t take his gaze off her.
“You look nice.” Her eyes held a smile.
He’d forgotten he was dressed like some 13th century woodsman. “Are you ready to go, milady?” He held out his arm.
“You betcha.”
ELFCON WAS EVERYTHING Penny had expected and more. The costumes were fun. Harrison had obviously spent a lot on theirs, because they looked so authentic that several people stopped them and asked if they could take their picture. Harrison put up with it in good humor. In fact, she was amazed at how well he tolerated the whole experience. He went to each booth with her, stood in line to get autographs, and even sat through the panel discussion without scowling. When Penny wanted to join in on a role playing game, he sat beside her and acted interested in it.
The hurt from William’s deception didn’t disappear, but ElfCon took her mind off it. Being with the most handsome man at the convention helped, too. For some reason, he looked extra sexy in his Legolas costume. Not that she would tell him. His ego couldn’t handle it.
Just as they were about to leave, Penny heard someone call out to her. She turned and there was Josephine, dressed in a tight leather cat woman costume and tremendous heels. It was a far cry from the look she’d worn last week: old lady going to tea.
Penny choked out a greeting. “Josephine. What are you doing here?”
The woman, who had to be pushing eighty, smiled and took Penny’s hand. “I come every year, dear. Wouldn’t miss it. I love this stuff. And look at you two. I didn’t know Harrison was into this scene.”
Penny glanced at him. He appeared to be trying to pull his tongue off the floor and back in his mouth. She answered for him. “He’s not. It’s my thing.”
For her age, she looked pretty good in the costume. Josephine looped her arm through Penny’s. “Well, isn’t he a good husband?”
The phrase slapped Penny across the face, and she stared at Josephine. Of course, they were pretending to be married. Or, rather, they were married. And to an outsider, it would look like Harrison was being a good husband. In fact, he was going above and beyond their agreement. He didn’t have to bring her to ElfCon. They weren’t there playing a role. He’d done it because...
Why had he done it?
She wasn’t quite sure. Maybe he’d gotten tired of her sulking in bed. That had to be it. He needed her up and around so they looked like a real married couple. The possibility of it being anything else was absurd.
“Yes, he is,” she finally said.
Josephine tugged her along the corridor, and Penny was amazed at the agility with which the old woman managed those heels. “You are coming to my soirée tomorrow, aren’t you?”
Crud. She’d forgotten about that. She looked to Harrison for help, but he simply smiled at her. She finally settled on, “Um, I don’t know.”
Josephine frowned. “You can’t miss it, dear. Everyone will be there.”
“I don’t think I have anything to wear.”
A bright look came on Josephine’s face. “Then we shall go shopping in the morning!”
Harrison didn’t object. In fact he folded his arms across his chest and smiled. “Good idea.”
Penny wasn’t sure if she should be excited or nervous. “Okay, then I guess we’re going.”
Chapter 13
Penny lay in bed, the events of the day playing in her head. Harrison had really stepped up to the plate. He’d been the perfect gentleman, trying hard to get into the things she liked. He’d even purchased a TARDIS paper weight for his office. How cute was that?
And now, all she could do was listen to his even breathing and wonder what it would be like to really be married to him. Stupid. She was nothing like the kind of women who lived around here. She’d never fit into his world. And what made her think he wanted her to? Because he’d been nice to her today?
She punched her pillow and rolled over. Such dumb thinking. She needed to clear her head. Wasn’t she fooling herself about William not three days ago? What did she know about relationships? She needed to get away from men for a while. Think about her future.
Harrison’s soft voice broke into her thoughts. “You awake too?”
She jumped, her heart pounding. She’d thought he was asleep. Thank goodness she hadn’t been talking to herself. “Yeah. Can’t sleep.”
He sat the recliner upright. “How about a midnight snack?”
“Now you’re talking.”
She slipped out of bed and padded to the door. Only after she entered the hallway did she turn to look at him. He was wearing striped pajama pants and a cotton T-shirt that hugged his chest.
She tried not to stare at his muscles as the two of them snuck down to the kitchen. Really. No one should look that good. It was doing things to her head. The skin on his arms looked smooth. She pushed back a ridiculous urge to touch it.
He pulled open the fridge and scanned the contents. “How about I whip us up some guacamole? Does that sound good?” His muscles bulged as he turned to look at her.
She forced her eyes away from him. “Sure.”
Harrison pulled out two ripe avocados and went to work gathering ingredients, utensils, and a bowl. Penny watched him as he cut the avocados and sprinkled cumin and other spices in. It was clear he loved what he was doing. The smile never left his face. She wanted to mention it, but things had gotten tense last time, so she let it go.
After he was done, he pulled out a bag of corn chips and dumped them in a bowl. “You want to go first?” He motioned to the concoction.
She picked up a chip and scooped up a generous portion. It looked delicious and tasted even better. “Mmm.” She closed her eyes and savored the flavor. When she opened them again she was surprised to find Harrison staring at her, a look she couldn’t quite interpret on his face. “What?”
He smiled, the look disappearing. “Nothing. I’m glad you like it.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable. Penny rather liked his presence. His smile put her at ease.
She scraped the bowl with the last chip. “So, what’s up with your brother? Why’s he always hanging around here?”
Harrison lifted one shoulder. “I’m not sure. If I had to guess, I’d say he can’t stand his wife.”
“Oh no. I didn’t know they weren’t happy. How long have they been together?”
He waved his hand in a nonchalant way. “I don’t think they’re really ‘together’,” he said, using air quotes. “It’s another business arrangement. I mean, he hasn’t come out and admitted it, but all things point to it.”
Penny’s mouth fell open and she had to force it closed. “What is up with you people? Don’t you believe in falling in love and marrying for real?”
Harrison’s intense blue eyes focused on her. “I used to.”
He said it so softly she could barely hear him, and the pain behind his eyes made her recoil. Of course. That was why Carol’s betrayal had hurt him so much. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
He held up a hand. “Don’t. It’s okay.”
She fiddled with the cheap metal ring still on her finger. “I guess we’ve both been disillusioned.”
The mood in the room darkened, and Harrison stood. “Yeah.” He picked up the bowl and took it to the sink.
After they cleaned up the kitchen, they went back to bed, neither one saying anything.
MORNING CAME TOO QUICKLY. After showering and getting dressed, Penny waited at the window by the front door. Josephine roared up into the circular driveway in a bright pink Lamborghini and jerked to a stop. She rolled down the passenger window and called out. “Are you ready, dear?”
Penny slid into the seat and closed the door, not knowing quite what to expect from a morning out shopping with Josephine. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The older woman gunned the car. “We’re going to have so much fun!”
Penny gave her a sly smile. “We sure are.” She held up the credit card Harrison had given her. Josephine’s cackle filled the air and warmed Penny’s heart.
The drive didn’t last too long. Soon they were entering a swanky store filled with designer dresses. Penny tried not to pay attention to the prices, but when Josephine pulled out a little black thing with a thousand dollar tag, Penny choked. “There’s hardly anything to this. I’m not paying a thousand dollars for a glorified slip.”
Josephine laughed. “Okay. Nothing too revealing then.” She slid the hanger back on the rack and ushered Penny over to another area with floor length gowns.
As they looked through them, Penny’s eyes started to glaze over. How could she pick one? They were all so gorgeous. And each price tag seemed to outdo the last. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
Josephine held up a stunning emerald green dress with jewels sewn in to accent the neckline and waist.
It actually made Penny gasp.
Josephine gave her a knowing look. “This is it, isn’t it?”
Penny chewed her bottom lip. “It’s breathtaking. But I’m not sure it’s...right for me.”
A frown formed on Josephine’s face. “What’s wrong with it?”
One flip of the tag revealed the three-thousand-dollar price. “This.”
“Nonsense.” Josephine frowned and flipped her hand. “Surely Harrison can afford it.”
Maybe. But would he think she was being excessive? What if he told her it was coming out of her part of the money? There was no way she could afford to spend three thousand on something so frivolous. She needed that money for important things, like food and shelter. “I think we’d better look in a different store.”
Josephine scoffed and pulled out her phone. She spoke for a minute, then hung up and started toward the dressing rooms. “He says not to worry about it. Let’s see how it looks on you.”
Penny reluctantly followed, feeling guilty for even thinking about trying on the dress. Even though Harrison had money, it wasn’t fair for her to spend it. Not when they weren’t really a couple. She tried to smile as Josephine shoved her into one of the stalls.
No matter how she felt about it, Josephine wasn’t going to let her off the hook, so Penny undressed. She slipped the gown on and fumbled with the zipper for a moment before succeeding. She turned to the mirror and stared, mouth open. The dress made her look like a queen, hugging her in all the right places.
Josephine’s voice carried over the stall. “Come on out. I want to see.” Then she banged on the door for emphasis.
Knowing she couldn’t get out of it, Penny opened the door. Josephine shrieked and motioned for Penny to turn around. “Wow girl, this is the dress. Look how it brings out the green in your eyes. You look amazing. T
hat husband of yours won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
Penny doubted that would be an issue, but pressed her lips together to keep from saying it. Instead she smiled and looked to the floor. “Thank you.”
Josephine flipped her wrist and glanced at a jewel studded watch. “Okay. Let’s hurry. We still need to find some shoes that match, and I’ve got to get back to make sure the caterer knows where to set things up.”
Resigning to Josephine’s will, Penny changed back into her clothes and purchased the crazy expensive but amazingly gorgeous dress.
Chapter 14
Harrison pulled his car into the long circular drive. The home was decorated with thousands of little white Christmas lights. It was a beautiful sight.
A young man jogged over to him. Of course Josephine would have valet parking. He rolled his eyes, but handed his keys over. Josephine didn’t do anything halfway, did she? He rushed to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for Penny.
For the second time that night, the sight of her took his breath away. Her hair was in some kind of up-do, a few tendrils coming down to frame her face. The gown she wore was stunning, but her smile was what stopped his heart. She looked like a princess about to go to her first ball. He cleared his throat. “You look amazing.”
She peered up at him. “Thanks. I think I’m going to throw up.”
Harrison laughed. She never ceased to surprise him. “You’ll do fine. It’s just Josephine.” He held out his arm, and she took it.
“I’m not worried about her. It’s the rest of them that scare me.”
Harrison opened the front door, and they stepped into the grand foyer. He leaned over. “Just picture them in their underwear.”
She snorted and hit his arm. “That’s for public speaking.”
“Works here, too.”
Josephine rushed to them and grabbed Penny’s arm. She looked like she had on every piece of jewelry she owned. “Darling, I’m so delighted you’re here. You must come meet the Wilsons. They’ve been dying to meet the young woman who caught Harrison’s eye.”
[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection Page 41