[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  “It’s a good opportunity for her. Could open more doors,” Arthur said.

  “She’s very talented.” Harrison fiddled with his car keys. “I hope things are okay between you guys.”

  Marci patted her hair. “I wish Penny had felt comfortable coming to us in the first place, but we’ve talked things out.”

  “Penny really loves you both,” he said. “She sometimes feels like she doesn’t measure up.”

  Arthur grimaced. “I think she takes things too seriously.”

  “She’s a sensitive soul,” Marci said. “I think it will take time, but our relationship is better.”

  The conversation waned and the silence grew awkward. Harrison glanced at the clock. “Listen, I’m sorry things went down the way they did. Penny and I—well we never meant to hurt anyone.”

  “We’re not the ones who are hurting,” Marci said quietly.

  “You should go talk to her.” Arthur’s gaze flickered to Marci. “She needs to get things settled.”

  Settled. As in, get on with the divorce so this mistake can go away. Harrison’s heart sank. Maybe he should go home and have his attorney draw up the papers so he could send them in the mail. Seeing her in person might not be the best idea.

  Marci stood and walked over to him and placed her hand on his. “She needs to talk to you.”

  He swallowed, his heart in his throat. “Okay.”

  He was going to have to face Penny, no matter what she had to say.

  Chapter 27

  Penny finished the final notes of the song and the crowd exploded in applause. She let the feeling wash over her. There was nothing like performing. This was what she was born to do.

  She gripped the microphone and looked out over the sea of faces in the crowd. Why was she looking for him? It was ridiculous, but she did it anyway. After each show. A face caught her attention and she sucked in a breath. That one really did look like him. She glanced away, the pain in her chest growing. It couldn’t be him. Why did she torture herself?

  The lights went out and she followed the backup singers. Holding up her shimmering evening gown, she tried not to trip, her fingers trembling. She needed to forget about him.

  “Great show, Penny.” Angela grinned at her. “Just when I think you’ve outdone yourself, you go and get even better.”

  Penny looped her arm through Angela’s and patted her hand. “You’re sweet to say that.”

  “I mean it. You’re going to be a star someday.”

  “Just like you.” Penny smiled at Angela. The girl had a lot of talent. If only she had the confidence to go with it.

  Angela lowered her head and blushed.

  Penny made her way to her dressing room. This was the part of the day she hated most. The part where she had to go home alone and face her life without him. She sat down at the mirror and began taking the pins out of her wig. She lifted the heavy thing off and combed through her hair.

  A knock sounded on her door and Anthony poked his head in. “Hey, I’ve got a guy here claiming to be your husband. Should I have security toss him?”

  Her heart jumped into her throat and she stood so fast her stool toppled over. “No!”

  “No?” Anthony cocked his head to the side and lowered his clipboard. “You’re married?”

  “Yes. I mean, sort of. You can bring him back here.” Her pulse raced. That had been Harrison in the audience. He’d come to watch her show. And now...what did he want with her?

  She held her breath as the seconds ticked by. Was he here about the divorce? That had to be it, right? She gripped her dress and waited.

  Harrison stepped into her dressing room and her mouth went dry. He wore a suit and tie, and he looked amazing. More than amazing. He was melt-you-with-a-glance gorgeous. All the feelings for him she’d tried to bury came back to her in a rush, leaving her speechless.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Hi.”

  She knew she had to speak to him, but words didn’t want to come out. All this time away from him, wishing he were here, and now he stood before her and she couldn’t talk. Great. She was toast. “Hi,” she managed to croak.

  “I...uh...your mom told me the show had opened up again.”

  “You called my mom?”

  He looked down at his shoes. “I went to your house. I thought you were...still there.”

  Of course. He was looking for her so they could finalize the divorce. “Sorry. I should have told you I’d moved.”

  “I could have called.”

  Penny had thought about picking up the phone and dialing Harrison so many times. She’d even started to, but always lost the nerve. What would she have said? ‘Even though we were strangers when we married, I fell in love with you over a two-week period, and now I want to have your babies?’

  Harrison shifted his weight and glanced around her dressing room. “Nice.”

  “Thanks.” His gaze landed on her fruit basket and she pointed. “Do you want an apple?”

  He chuckled. “No, thanks.”

  “Do you mind if I have one? I’m starving.”

  Harrison waved his approval.

  She plucked one out of the basket and took a bite. The fruit was a sweet distraction from the hurricane of feelings whipping around inside of her. She chewed and stared at him, waiting for him to get to the point.

  Harrison scratched his chin. “Listen, I don’t want to keep you. I just—” He stopped when his gaze landed on the cheap aluminum ring still on her wedding finger. “You’re still wearing it.”

  She took a huge bite of her apple in an attempt not to have to answer him. Juice ran down her chin and she felt like a cow trying to chew such a large chunk. She wiped the juice as inconspicuously as she could and nodded.

  He took a step toward her, and her heart went into overdrive. She didn’t want him close to her. She couldn’t handle that. She backed up against the table, but he kept advancing.

  “Why are you still wearing that ring?” His intense blue eyes captured her gaze and wouldn’t let go.

  Her mouth was still full, and she tried to motion to him that she couldn’t speak but ended up looking lame instead.

  He captured her wrist and took the apple from her. He tossed it on the floor behind him and took another step closer to her. She could feel his breath on her cheek.

  He reached up and brushed her hair from her face. “Penny, when we got married, I thought you were a means to an end. A way to get my money, and that’s it. I never imagined I’d start to have feelings for you.”

  Did he just say he had feelings for her? Oh, why had she taken that big bite? She couldn’t even respond. All she could do was chew as fast as she could and try not to choke.

  “And I never imagined I’d fall in love with you.”

  She swallowed the rest in one gulp. What did he say? Her whole body buzzed with electricity. “You...you what?”

  A smile tugged at his lips. “These past two months apart have been torture. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, and now I realize I don’t want to. I don’t want to spend another minute apart.”

  He loved her. He’d come here to tell her. Her head spun and she tried to speak, but no words would come out. This was what she’d been dreaming about, and here he was. She refrained from pinching him to make sure he was real.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring, then got down on one knee. “Penny, I love you with all my heart. I could not stand it if I lost you. Will you wear this ring, and stay with me forever?”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “I will.”

  Harrison stood and wrapped her in an embrace. His lips brushed hers and she pulled him closer. “I’ve missed you so much,” she said between kisses.

  “I should never have left you.” He slipped the cheap metal band off her finger and replaced it with the beautiful diamond ring. “I’ve been carrying this around with me since we went to the mall.”

  Joy filled her and burst out of her in a laugh. “I think I’ve been in
love with you ever since you put on that costume and took me to ElfCon. You looked so uncomfortable.” She sobered. “But you did it for me.”

  He chuckled and lifted her chin so he could kiss her some more. “I was a goner the second you plastered your lips on mine in front of Josephine.”

  Her heart raced as he held her, and she placed her cheek on his chest. The feelings she had overwhelmed her, and she closed her eyes to soak in the moment.

  “I have something I need to tell you.”

  She pulled back to look at him.

  He seemed worried.

  “What is it?”

  “I told you Patrice handed over the trust account. What I didn’t say was that there’s only twenty-five thousand dollars in it.”

  She reached up and touched his cheek. “You must be so disappointed.”

  Harrison studied her for a moment. “I was furious when I first found out. I wanted to kill Patrice for what she did. But I’ve come to terms with it.”

  Penny smiled up at him. “You’re beautiful, inside and out.”

  “Beautiful, huh?” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down and she laughed out loud. “I do have some better news.”

  “Go on.”

  “I’m done at the firm. Trent’s taking over.” He paused. “And I’m opening up a restaurant.”

  Penny squealed and hugged him. “That’s great!”

  “I thought I could start looking at locations this weekend.”

  “Here?”

  A smile took over his face. “Of course. The only downside I see is I’ll have to compete with Lord of the Onion Rings.”

  Penny’s laughter filled the room.

  “MAYBE WE CAN JUST WRITE her a letter.” Penny shot him a nervous grin as they approached his stepmother’s front door.

  He couldn’t help but chuckle. “No, we have to tell her in person.”

  “Okay, as long as we’re out of range.”

  He quirked an eyebrow at her.

  “You know, stabbing range, punching range...”

  It felt good to laugh with Penny. It actually felt amazing to be by her side, walking together as husband and wife. They’d snuck away over the past three days and had an incredible secret honeymoon in Puerto Rico. It had been private, and intimate, and his heart swelled with love for her.

  He opened the door and led her down the marble hallway. The pristine house seemed so sterile. There was no warmth. Funny, he’d never felt it before.

  Their footsteps echoed as they walked down the hall and Patrice came out to see who was making noise. “Oh. It’s you.” Patrice looked down her nose at Penny.

  Harrison grasped Penny’s hand. “Penny and I are staying married.” He knew his declaration wouldn’t be met with approval, but he didn’t care. It was time to get out from under her thumb.

  His stepmother fingered her pearls and looked Penny up and down. “I see.” She frowned at him, but then motioned to the other room. “Why don’t we go sit? I was just about to have some tea.”

  An invitation to tea was not what he was expecting. He looked at Penny, who nodded. “Okay, then.”

  Patrice waltzed into the sitting room and picked up a tea kettle. She poured a cup and offered it to Penny. Harrison wasn’t about to ask her why she was pouring her own tea. She must have cut back on some of the staff.

  Penny took the cup and sat down. “Thank you.”

  Harrison sat next to Penny and put his arm around her. When his stepmother offered him a cup, he shook his head. “No, thank you.”

  Patrice frowned but sat in her chair and crossed her ankles. She assessed them. “I take it there’s some mutual benefit to this relationship.”

  “We’re in love,” Harrison said.

  A grimace appeared on her face before she gained control and smoothed it away. She lifted her cup to her lips and took a sip. After she set her cup down, she cleared her throat. “I’m not sure it’s wise to—”

  “It’s not up for discussion,” Harrison interrupted her. “We’re simply informing you.”

  Penny cast him a worried glance and took several large gulps of her tea, draining the cup.

  “I see.” Patrice smoothed her dress. “Anything else?”

  “Trent’s taking over the firm. I’m moving to Las Vegas with Penny.” He had trouble making the last part come out. “I’m opening a restaurant.”

  Patrice looked like she’d swallowed a mouthful of toilet water. “Of course you are. With no regard for the firm and what’s best for this family.”

  “The firm is in good hands. And what’s best for my family...” He took Penny’s hand and squeezed it. “Is up to me and my wife.”

  Patrice’s cheeks grew red and she looked like she would explode. “You will not disrespect—”

  Penny shot up out of the seat. “He is not disrespecting you! Respect has to be earned. I can’t believe you would want Harrison to be stuck in a job that doesn’t offer him any happiness. He loves to cook, and he’s darn good at it. He told me what you did for Antonio, and I admire that. You did a great thing. But I can’t believe you would hide your relationship because of a perceived social status. So what if he’s a chauffeur? People will get over it, and you’ll be happy together. If you truly love him, you’d do what would make him happiest.”

  Penny stopped talking and stood there, her eyes wide as if she hadn’t meant to say all that. Harrison stood up as well. “I think we’re probably done here.”

  Patrice blinked and turned a darker shade of red. “I think we are.” She stood, turned on her heel, and left the room.

  Harrison let out a breath. “Well, that went better than I expected.”

  “I can’t believe I said that.” Penny covered her mouth with her hand.

  He chuckled. “I’m proud of you. It needed saying.”

  “I don’t know. It felt awfully good coming out, but I still probably shouldn’t have said it.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, the warmth of her skin sending his heartbeat into overdrive. “Even after all she’s done to you, you still care enough to say something. You are an amazing woman. I can’t begin to tell you how much you mean to me. You—”

  She silenced him with a kiss.

  Epilogue

  Penny snuggled her back into Harrison’s chest as she stretched out on the couch. This was the time of day she loved the most. The right-before-bed lazy time where she and Harrison could sit and watch television together and be close. He wrapped his arms around her.

  “How was your day?” His deep voice made her heart flutter.

  “Busy, with the dental appointment and the promotional shoot for my show.” She still had trouble believing it. Her very own Las Vegas show, with her name on it. It was amazing. “How about you?”

  He ran his fingers up her arm and tingles shot over her skin. “A little stressful. We got word that Phillip Irving was going to be in the restaurant today.”

  She turned to look at him. “The food critic?”

  “Yes. The staff got all worked up.”

  “The staff did, huh?” She grinned.

  He chuckled. “Okay, maybe I was a bit nervous, too.”

  “Did he come in?”

  “He must have. No one knows what he looks like, of course, but this appeared on his blog this evening.” Harrison handed her his phone and she scrolled through the article.

  “Aw, he loved it! That’s so great, honey.” She twisted to give him a peck on the lips, which lingered and turned into a deeper kiss. Her pulse quickened as the kiss grew more passionate.

  He pulled back and placed his forehead on hers. “I missed you today.”

  She held in a smile. He told her that every day. “I missed you, too.”

  “You know, if you quit your job, you could come work for me. You’d be an amazing bookkeeper. You wouldn’t need a calculator.”

  “As if.” She playfully whacked him. “Like I’d give up a singing gig to do math all day.” She made a face.

  He r
eached behind his back and pulled a piece of paper out. “This came today.”

  She took it from him and stared at it. “A check? Holy cow, that’s a lot of money.”

  “Trent says it’s back pay for all the time I worked at the firm without taking a draw.”

  She whistled. “They must be doing well, then.”

  “Trent pulled the company around. They’re seeing phenomenal numbers.” He began running his fingers up her arm again, and she giggled.

  “You’re distracting me.”

  “Good.” His breath tickled her ear.

  “I bet Patrice is thrilled.”

  “She is. But I actually think she’s more relieved that Antonio is finally cancer free.”

  “I’m still shocked they got married.”

  He chuckled. “Even a secret wedding is a step in the right direction, huh?”

  She waved the check. “So what’re we going to do with the money?”

  He took her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. “I don’t know. I thought maybe we could look for a bigger house.”

  They’d been living in a small two bedroom home for a couple of years now. It was modest and affordable, and she’d thought they had plenty of room. “Why? We don’t need anything fancy.”

  “I know. I just thought maybe it was time to think about expanding our family.” He placed his warm hand on her belly.

  They’d talked about having kids a few times, but Harrison had always wanted to wait until his restaurant was more established. An excited flutter went through her. “Now?”

  He grinned that sexy smile of his. “Yes. I think it’s time.”

  She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him again. She’d wanted to start a family right away. She felt strongly that having children was important. And now that his restaurant was doing well and her singing career was stable, they could juggle her show schedule to make it work. “That’s great news.”

  “In fact.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “We should probably get started on that right away.”

  She laughed. “Oh, you think so?”