He held in a snort. Of course the gossip about them had spread. Penny would be paraded about, shown off like some trinket. They’d cozy up to her tonight, but their tongues would wag long after she’d left. He sighed and trailed along behind them, weaving through the crowd.
The Wilsons were a young couple who lived up the street. They were what his stepmother referred to as ‘new rich,’ as if a person was less important because their great-grandfather didn’t have money. The term left a bad taste in Harrison’s mouth.
The Wilsons were chatting with Patrice. As they neared, Patrice turned and plastered on a fake smile. “Well, look who we have here. We were just talking about you.”
Patrice pulled an imaginary piece of lint off Harrison’s suit jacket, then turned to Penny. “And you.” Her smile turned into a sneer. “Aren’t you dressed up nice? A bit too formal, maybe?”
Penny’s cheeks flushed pink, and Harrison stepped between them. “Mother,” he said, his tone a warning. He clenched his fists behind his back so he wouldn’t do anything to embarrass himself. Like cram one down her throat.
Josephine either hadn’t heard, or ignored the comment. “Penny, this is Liza Wilson and her husband, Frank.”
Liza, who was about as tall as most twelve year olds, beamed. “What a pleasure. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Harrison didn’t doubt it. Penny took Liza’s hand. “So nice to meet you.”
As they traded pleasantries, Harrison tugged at his tie. The room had grown too hot. Patrice leaned over to him. “What’s the matter? Are you regretting your rash decision to marry a Las Vegas hooker?”
He gritted his teeth and tugged Patrice away from the group. “She’s not a prostitute. You have to stop.”
Her expression turned contrite. “I’m sorry, dear. You know I just want what’s best for you.”
“No, you don’t. You want what’s best for you.”
Her lips curled up into a smile. “And those are one and the same.”
Penny laughed at something Josephine had said, and turned to him. “We’ll have to do that.”
Uh oh, what had she agreed to? Harrison drew closer to her, leaving his stepmother. “Do what?”
Josephine grabbed his arm. “You’ll have to forgive me. I must go welcome more guests.” She glided out of the room.
The conversation waned, and everyone stood there, staring at each other. It seemed like a decent time to pull away. “It was nice chatting with you,” Harrison said.
When they were out of earshot, he got up the courage to ask. “What did you sign us up for?”
She looked up at him and grinned in a playful manner. “Wouldn’t you like to know? What was the Wicked Witch of the West saying to you?”
Harrison shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.” Why was the room so hot? His gaze connected with hers, which didn’t help the heat. He ushered her through the crowd and out onto the terrace. The cool night air washed over him, and he leaned on the rail.
Penny touched his arm, the contact causing his heart to stutter. “Are you okay?”
He wasn’t, but he nodded anyway. There weren’t words to say what he was feeling. All his life he’d worked for what he had. Wanted to carry on the Williams name. And for what? To go to stupid parties and hang out with these people? It made his life seem so pointless.
The silence stretched between them for a moment, before Penny softly asked, “What did she say?”
“She went too far.” He stared out at the lights of the city. “Called you a hooker.”
Penny blinked and her eyes filled with tears. Harrison turned toward her and grasped her arms. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have told you. Don’t cry.”
She looked down at her shoes. “I don’t know what I did to make her hate me.”
Her sadness cut through to his heart. “It’s not you. She hates giving up control. She wants me under her thumb, like I’ve always been. I did something without her approval.”
“I’m not like these people.”
He wiped a tear from her cheek. “Thank goodness.”
A laugh bubbled up from her, and Harrison joined in. She smiled at him through her tears. “You always know what to say.”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and tucking her beneath his chin. His chest tightened, and an intense longing to kiss her overwhelmed him. Was he falling for his wife? He pushed the thought from his head. He couldn’t afford to think like that.
“Harrison?” she asked, quietly.
He pulled back to look her in the eyes.
“What are we going to do about your stepmother’s demands? We can’t stay married.”
Harrison nodded. “I’ve contacted my lawyers. They’re working on it. Since she changed the stipulations after our marriage started, we might be able to get to the trust fund money.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll get through this.” The words felt thick on his tongue. He didn’t want to get through this. He wanted to hold her tight and never let go.
Her eyes closed, and she sighed. “I know. It’s just—”
“What?”
She peered up at him. “I think it’s time to move out.”
PENNY BIT HER LIP. Had she said too much? Put her nose where it didn’t belong? Harrison’s brows pulled together in confusion. “You want to move out?”
“No.” Penny laughed. “I think you should move out. I mean, it’s none of my business and all, but isn’t it time to get your own place?”
“Oh.” Harrison scratched his chin. “Of course. That makes perfect sense.”
“It does?”
He smiled. “Yeah. It’s just that...” He turned away from her and grabbed the terrace railing, his knuckles white. “I can’t afford to move out.”
Penny’s mouth fell open. “What do you mean?”
Harrison shook his head, and leaned over. “I don’t have the money. Not enough to get a place in L.A. The firm is worth billions, not me. Patrice controls all the money. I only have a few thousand in the bank.”
Astonishment washed over her. “Don’t you get paid at your job?”
“Yes.” He sighed. “At least, I used to. The investment group hasn’t been doing so well the past few years. Money’s been tight. It was either lay someone off, or stop taking a salary.”
Penny swallowed the lump that had grown in her throat. She looked down at the three thousand dollar dress she’d put on his credit card. Oh, no. Panic filled her. “Why did you tell me to buy this dress?”
He shrugged. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not! I’ve just spent an enormous amount on a stupid dress! I probably spent the last of your bank account. What are you going to do?”
Harrison looked out at the city lights and mumbled something inaudible.
Penny leaned closer to him. “What?”
Again, he mumbled something she couldn’t hear.
She whacked him on the arm. “Spit it out.”
He turned to her. “My stepmother gives me an allowance.”
Her first reaction was to laugh, but as soon as the first bit came out and his face fell, she clamped her hand over her mouth. When she was sure no more would come out, she took a breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just...come on. You’re an adult.”
His cheeks reddened. “I know. It’s technically my money. She’s been giving me checks out of the trust fund. She just won’t give me the whole thing.”
“Because she wants to control you.”
He nodded, looking miserable. She had the strangest urge to stroke his cheek and console him, but instead she folded her arms across her chest and tried to ignore the romantic view that stretched before them. “Why does she even want you living there?”
“It’s all about having power.”
“Ugh. That’s so frustrating!”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll move out when my attorney forces her to give me access to my trust fund. Should be soon.”
&n
bsp; Right. Not for two years if The Dragon Lady had anything to say about it. Living with her was making Penny crazy. Who knew how long they’d have to pretend to be married, all the while stepping on eggshells around Patrice? Desperation filled her. “Couldn’t we crash at Trent’s house? Just for a little while?”
Harrison stared at her like she’d suggested they hit up a bank. “What? Why?”
“It’s just difficult. Living with her.”
He blinked, then pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I wasn’t thinking.”
Really? He would move out just for her? An intense feeling overwhelmed her, and no words would come out.
“I’ll look at apartments in the morning. We can rent something. That way I won’t need a sizable down payment.”
The warm feeling of being wrapped in Harrison’s arms enveloped her. The masculine smell of his cologne mixed with his scent made her head spin. She nestled her cheek against his chest, overcome with gratitude for him. “Thank you.”
Guilt began to worm its way into her heart, but she shook it off. Harrison needed to get a place of his own. He was thirty, for heaven’s sake. It was far past time. She wasn’t being selfish. She was helping him stand on his own two feet.
At least that was what she kept telling herself.
Chapter 15
Penny’s mood had lightened considerably now that Harrison had promised they would start looking at apartments. She pushed all thoughts of Patrice from her mind and started enjoying the party atmosphere. A live band played holiday music while they mingled. Harrison introduced her to quite a few people. Everyone seemed genuinely interested in her.
Miranda, one of Patrice’s friends from the dinner party, walked by them. “Harrison.” She arched a brow, then glanced at Penny. Her eyes grew wide and she stopped. “Where did you get your gown? It’s divine.”
Heat crept into Penny’s cheeks. “I got it at Abella’s.”
Miranda nodded in approval. “It’s beautiful. I must go there next week. I’ve been invited to a party at the Mayor’s house, and I don’t have a thing to wear.”
Penny pointed to Miranda’s red sequined dress. “Why not this? It’s so festive.”
Disgust filled Miranda’s face. “And wear it twice?”
So many things she could say ran through Penny’s mind, like ‘Oh, the horror!’ and ‘I don’t know what I was thinking. I should be shot.’ But she bit her tongue and held in her smart remarks.
Harrison slid his arm around her. “Why do women worry so much about what they wear? If I wore the same suit to two parties, no one would notice.”
Penny smiled. “Yeah. Why should I be judged if I wear this dress again? It wasn’t cheap, you know. I might have to sleep in it just to get my money’s worth.”
Miranda turned a deep shade of purple. With her height challenge and round physique, she looked like a grape. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Harrison laughed. “Good idea. In fact, I heard the high school’s winter dance is tomorrow. We should crash that and give you another chance to wear it.”
Laughter bubbled up. “Awesome! Maybe I can find enough parties so I won’t have to take this thing off the rest of the month.”
Disapproval filled Miranda’s face, and she stalked off and disappeared into the crowd.
Harrison introduced Penny to a trio of women in their silver hair stage. He pointed to each of them. “This is Georgette, Daphne, and Mary. We call this group the neighborhood murderers.”
The women giggled like school girls. Georgette spoke up. “We all write mystery novels.”
Penny grinned. “That’s so cool.”
A server with one glass of champagne left on his tray weaved his way through the crowd. Penny had watched the dance all evening, guests plucking glasses off the trays as the servers walked by. As he neared, she reached out and grabbed the champagne flute.
She executed the snatch so perfectly, she mentally patted herself on the back. Usually such a klutz, she’d been worried about embarrassing herself. “What kind of mysteries do you write?”
Daphne motioned to Georgette. “She writes cozy, I write crime, and Mary writes historical.”
Penny brought her champagne glass to her lips and was about to take a sip when she noticed lipstick on the side. She froze. Now that she looked at it, she could see the glass was half-empty. Had she picked up someone’s discarded glass? Why had she done that? Didn’t she pay any attention?
Ugh, what was she supposed to do now? Drink it anyway and pretend it was hers? Put it back on the tray? She glanced around for the server, and found that he hadn’t gone very far. She could take three steps and put it back on the tray, if she decided now. If she waited too long, he’d be across the room and it would be awkward.
What should she do? He was now four steps away. Five. She needed to hurry. “Excuse me,” she blurted. Maybe if she took quick steps she could catch him before it became awkward. Hurrying, she ran after the man with the tray. Unfortunately, right before she got to him she stepped on the hem of her dress and tripped.
Everything happened in slow motion. She grabbed onto the poor server’s arm to try to steady herself. All this did was topple his tray which clattered to the floor, bringing everyone’s attention to them. Her momentum pushed her into the startled man, shoving him over, which brought them both down, the rest of her champagne dousing him in the face. Her glass slipped from her hand and rolled under a table.
A few startled cries rang out. Penny landed on top of the server, her legs and dress flying up in a very unladylike manner. Heat enveloped her in a full body blush as she frantically climbed off the staff member and pulled down her skirt to cover her neon pink underwear.
“Are you okay, miss?” the server asked as he stood.
Penny glanced around at all the eyes glued to her. Why did things like this always happen? “I’m fine,” she managed to stammer. She turned and ran smack into Patrice, whose lips curled up into a smug smile.
Penny suddenly didn’t care about social niceties. All she wanted to do was disappear. She hiked up her dress and ran from the room.
HARRISON TOOK OFF AFTER Penny, his heart in his throat. How embarrassing for her. She ran out the back patio door and down a stone path toward a well-lit garden. He finally caught up to her on a bridge overlooking a small stream. “Are you okay?”
She turned to him, cringing. “Yeah.”
“It’s okay. We’ve all had moments like that.” He put his hand on her shoulder and electricity zinged up his arm. He removed it. A light breeze carried her floral scent as she gazed out at the garden.
Penny was so different from what he was used to. She didn’t care about money. She only cared that people took her seriously. Tripping and falling in front of everyone had to have been devastating for her. His fingers ached to touch her soft skin. He froze. The feelings surging within him were strong. Stronger than he’d felt in years.
But Penny was not his real wife. He couldn’t feel this way toward her. He had to get control of himself. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Penny covered her cheeks with her hands. “I’m such a screw up.”
She’d said the words so softly he barely heard them, but they stabbed him in the chest all the same. “Stop. You’re not.”
She turned to him, her eyes wide. “On my tenth birthday, we were playing pin the tail on the donkey, and somehow I got way off course and ended up backing up into the coffee table.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Yeah, except my cake was on the table, and I sat on it. After that, I was known as Frosting Butt at school.”
Harrison bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. “That could have happened to anyone.”
Her eyebrows pulled together. “I once set up a lemonade stand. Spent all morning making signs, and then setting up the table. Unfortunately it was windy that day and I ended up with lemonade on my lap. You know what that looks like to all the neigh
borhood kids?”
“That must have been hard for you, but neither one of those is your fault.”
“What about the time I was applying for college and mixed up the applications. I sent them to the wrong colleges. My family still laughs about that one.”
She looked so distraught, he didn’t dare smile. “A simple mistake.”
“I once gave a homeless man a twenty dollar bill. Except he wasn’t homeless, and I got a thirty minute lecture from an attorney on making assumptions.”
Harrison hooked his finger under her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. “You are not a screw up. You are a beautiful woman, with a kind heart. You are intelligent and talented, and anyone would be crazy not to love you.” He tucked her under his chin and hugged her close.
PENNY SWALLOWED. DID he just say he loved her? No. He couldn’t have. She listened to his heart beat and tried to suppress the growing feelings inside her. He wasn’t saying he loved her. He was only trying to make her feel better.
He was a sweet and caring guy. That was it. She couldn’t put anything on him that wasn’t there. She needed to put aside all her foolish romantic notions. What had happened with William proved that.
She pulled away from him. “Thank you.” She took three more steps away. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” Worry filled his face.
“Yep! I’m good.” She tried to plaster a smile on her face, but her cheeks felt wooden.
The sound of heels clicking on the stone path rang through the clearing, and Josephine appeared. “Penny. Come here, sweetie.” She pulled Penny into an embrace. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Josephine. Really.” The more she said it, the more it felt true. She could handle this.
Josephine took her hands in hers. “Don’t feel bad, honey. Just about everyone in there has had something embarrassing happen to them.” She lowered her voice. “And a couple of them had it splashed all over the papers.”
[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection Page 42