[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  After he dressed, he ran to the store to get some much needed grocery items. He had finished his milk yesterday, and he was out of fruit and bread. As he wheeled his cart down the aisle, he spotted Sidney’s friend looking over the bananas.

  “Hi. Mia, isn’t it?”

  Mia glanced up at him, then smiled. “Hey, you’re Sidney’s old friend.” She did a quick full-body appraisal of him, her smile widening. “How are you?”

  He smiled politely. “Fine.”

  Mia was wearing a bright shirt with a Japanese print, a tight skirt and platform shoes. She nudged him. “How’s it going with Sidney?”

  “What?” Why would she ask that?

  Mia set the bananas she’d been examining in her cart. “You just looked like you were hitting it off, that’s all.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “Isn’t Sidney engaged? To your brother?”

  Mia paused for a second, her cheeks coloring. “Oh. That. Um...”

  “What?” Had they broken up?

  A guilty look colored her face. “I really shouldn’t say anything.”

  He folded his arms across his chest. “Are she and Ted breaking up?”

  Mia shook her head, but kept her lips tight.

  What was going on? Why was Mia acting this way? The clues started to fall into place. Sidney home on a Friday night. Chloe not knowing Sidney was engaged. Mia acting weird. “She’s not really engaged, is she.”

  Mia waved her hand and looked around. “Hush,” she said, her voice low.

  He stared at her, but she didn’t say anything else. “Well?”

  “Okay. You’re right. She’s not. It’s all a ruse, to help with business.”

  The shock of the truth reeled through him. “Why would she lie?”

  Mia bit her lip. “We made up the engagement because her clients were having trouble putting trust in her abilities. It didn’t seem plausible that she would be able to match others when she herself was single.”

  “Why didn’t she tell me?”

  A sudden panic crossed Mia’s face, and she gripped her shopping cart. “You can’t tell her I spoiled it. She’d kill me, and you don’t want to have blood on your hands, do you?”

  Despite his surprise, he chuckled. “No, I wouldn’t want that. But I don’t understand. She had plenty of opportunities to come clean. Why would she go on pretending? We’ve known each other forever.”

  Mia shrugged. “Sidney keeps saying she doesn’t need a man in order to be successful.”

  Blake let her words sink in. Maybe Sidney wanted to stabilize her business before seeking a relationship of her own. Whatever the reason, the heaviness that had been pressing down on him all morning lifted.

  Sidney was single.

  “Thanks, Mia.” He could have kissed her, but settled on a handshake. “You’re the best.”

  Blake left her standing in the fruit section, staring after him. A plan was already forming in his mind. He had to see Sidney. Make her admit the truth to him. But first he needed to pack a picnic lunch.

  SIDNEY PULLED OUT A bowl and her favorite morning cereal and crossed the kitchen tile to get the milk. Her pink bunny slippers made a slapping noise as she walked. There wasn’t anything better than a lazy Saturday morning—eating breakfast in your pajamas and getting on Facebook to see what funny memes people were sharing. Maybe she’d read some more of that book she’d started last night.

  Just as she finished her cereal, the doorbell rang and Sidney sighed. Probably some neighborhood kid selling something for a school fundraiser. That was pretty much all she got these days. Well, if it was doughnuts again, she’d be all over that.

  She swung open the door and froze. Blake! She yelped and slammed the door in his face, her heart pounding. She was in her pajamas! And she hadn’t even looked in the mirror. Her hair must look atrocious.

  A knock sounded and she opened the door a crack. “What are you doing here?”

  Blake coughed into his fist. He stood there, trying not to grin but failing miserably. “Just wanted to see you in your bunny slippers.”

  “Very funny. I just got out of bed.”

  “I can tell.” His lips twitched.

  “Go away.” She started to close the door but he stopped it.

  “Wait.” He grew serious. “I wanted to apologize. I don’t want to get in the way of you and...Ted.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.” Again she tried to close the door, and again he wouldn’t let her.

  “I’m heading out today. Thought I’d go over to Blue Oak Lake and rent a canoe.”

  The mention of canoeing brought back memories of them as kids. “Sounds fun. Have a great time.” The door wouldn’t budge. She looked down. The jerk had his foot wedged in it.

  “I thought maybe you and Ted would like to come.”

  He had a funny look on his face and she narrowed her eyes at him. “Why are you acting like this? And why are you saying Ted’s name like that? What’s up?”

  Scratching his chin, he said, “Nothing. Just thought you’d like to enjoy the nice day.”

  “Well, sorry. Ted is out of town, and I’ve got stuff to do.”

  He peeked past her into her apartment. “Like what?”

  “Stuff!” She didn’t say that stuff involved reclining on the couch and reading.

  “Can’t it wait?” he practically whined. “I want to see if you tip the canoe like last time.”

  “That was not my fault.” She tried to say it indignantly, but her smile ruined it as she pictured Blake climbing out of the lake and tipping his shoes upside down to let the water run out. She had laughed so hard.

  “Prove it. Come with me.”

  “You’re such a child!” She let out a very unladylike grunt. “Fine. I’ll go with you.” She had to admit, canoeing with Blake sounded like an awesome way to spend the day.

  “Great.” Blake pushed the door open and walked in.

  She glared at him. “Come on in and make yourself at home.”

  He plopped down on the sofa and put his feet up on the coffee table. “I will.”

  “Ugh,” she muttered under her breath, but couldn’t force the smile off her lips. “At least take off your shoes. The hardwood floors are new.”

  He slipped his shoes off and picked up her romance novel, reading the back while waving her away.

  “I’ll just go shower and get ready then.”

  She snuck into the kitchen, rinsed her bowl and placed it in the sink. Then she gathered her clothes and locked herself in the bathroom. Why was her heart pounding? It was just Blake. It wasn’t like he was asking her on a date or anything. He had invited her and Ted.

  As she passed the mirror she gasped. Her hair was sticking up at all angles, and the eyeliner she forgot to wash off yesterday made her look like a raccoon. Thank goodness Blake thought she was engaged to someone else. There was no way he’d be interested in her after seeing her like that.

  She quickly showered and made herself look presentable. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she eyed her reflection. Not bad. A marked improvement. A quick spray with her favorite fragrance and she deemed herself ready.

  When she exited the bathroom, Blake was in the kitchen snooping. He held up the box of cereal she’d forgotten to put away. “Cap’n Crunch? Really?”

  She swiped the box away from him. “Don’t you talk. You drank chocolate milk for lunch every day in high school. I’m pretty sure that means you can’t make fun of my choice of breakfast cereal.”

  “Who wants plain milk when there’s chocolate?”

  “And who wants Cheerios when you can have Cap’n Crunch?” She opened the cupboard and shoved the box inside. “So, are we going to argue about cereal or are we going to the lake?”

  Blake motioned toward the front door. “After you.”

  Once they were in his truck and on the road, Sidney reached over and switched on the radio, then turned the dial to her favorite pop station. Blake groaned. “Seriously?”

  “You need a
little more culture.”

  He laughed. “Pop music is not culture.”

  “Of course it is. Just relax. It’s not going to kill you.” She turned up the Demi Lovato song and started singing along. Warm air whipped her hair as she rolled down her window.

  Blake changed lanes. “Why do you always do that?”

  “What?”

  “Roll down your window when we’re on the highway. The wind noise makes it impossible to talk.”

  She put her hand to her ear. “What? I can’t hear you.”

  He made a face. “Very funny.”

  She turned the radio up louder and sat back in her seat, somehow satisfied. “The breeze is nice.” With her hand out the window, she let the force of the air move it up and down, depending on what direction she twisted it.

  “You’re just like a little kid.”

  The words stung, but she didn’t let her face show it. “Am not.” It was a terribly immature thing to say, but she didn’t care. If he still thought of her as a little kid, then fine. It wasn’t as if they were going to be a couple anyway. Maybe it was best if he thought of her as a child. Took the pressure off her.

  They rode in silence the rest of the way to the lake. After they rented the canoe, put on their life jackets, and got the canoe ready, Blake ran back to the truck and grabbed a large paper sack.

  She eyed him suspiciously. “What’s that?”

  “Picnic lunch.”

  Folding her arms across her chest, she frowned. “How did you know I was going to agree to go canoeing with you?”

  He grinned. “I’m just a good guesser.”

  “You’re a manipulative little—”

  Blake stepped forward and put his finger on her mouth, halting her words. “Don’t say anything you’ll regret later.”

  He stood there, dangerously close to her, his finger touching her lips, while her heart pounded in her chest. All thought left her head, and the only thing she was aware of was his masculine soapy scent and the feel of his warm skin on her lips.

  Then he removed his hand and took a step back. “Let’s get in.”

  Chapter 8

  Blake dragged his oar through the water, feeling the burn in his muscles. The warm sun beat down on his back. Sidney sat in front with her back to him, her hair blowing in the breeze. The weather was perfect for this.

  Getting her to admit to the ruse was proving harder than he’d thought. When he’d make comments about Ted, he’d figured she’d sigh and come clean. Not so. She was holding onto the lie like a white-knuckled child holding a lollipop.

  He quickly abandoned the idea of forcing it. He didn’t want her confessing because she’d figured out he already knew. His tactics changed. He decided to lay off and take it easy. See if she would tell him the truth on her own. Maybe she just needed to feel more comfortable around him.

  “I forgot how relaxing this can be.” Sidney smiled at him over her shoulder, her muscles straining as she worked her oar.

  Blake took a moment to study her. Her brown hair shone in the sun and she practically glowed as her smile took over her face. He’d never seen anyone lovelier.

  She slapped her oar in the water and splashed him. “Slacker.”

  He chuckled and his cheeks heated when he realized he’d stopped paddling and was staring at her. He joined in her rhythm with his oar. “I think we’re almost there.”

  “Wow.” Sidney glanced to her side at the shade trees lining the bank. “Used to take a lot longer to get here.”

  He flexed his arm. “What can I say? I’ve filled out.”

  She snorted and rolled her eyes, but a smile curled up the corners of her mouth. She eyed the grocery sack. “What did you bring?”

  “Peanut-butter-jelly-and-marshmallow sandwiches.”

  Her laugh rang out. “You did not.”

  “You’re right. I figure your tastes have changed since you were six.”

  “Grayson is to blame for that one. He told me that was how all the rich people ate peanut butter and jelly, and I believed him.”

  “Really?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes. I figured he knew what he was talking about, being ten and all. Never stopped to think about the complete lack of galas in his life.”

  “Big brothers know everything.”

  The canoe made a noise as the bottom scraped the sand in the shallow water. Blake set the oar down and swung his foot over the edge of the boat so he could stand without tipping it. He stood, grabbing the grocery bag. Sidney hopped out and walked up the bank. He followed her under the shade tree. She took the sack from him and peeked inside.

  “I just threw together some ham sandwiches.”

  “And you made potato salad?” She lifted the container out.

  “Store bought. Sorry.”

  “That’s okay. I’ve been craving it and haven’t had any this summer.”

  He sat on the grass and she plopped down beside him. She took out the sandwiches and paper plates he’d stuck in the bottom and handed him a plastic fork.

  As they ate, the mood turned more serious. Sidney looked like she was going to say something several times, but stopped herself. Finally, she said, “How long were you married?”

  That wasn’t what he expected, and he blinked. “Two years.”

  She lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out.”

  “They were working out fine for me. I had no idea anything was wrong until I came home one night and Melody was packing.”

  Sidney gaped at him. “Seriously? That’s awful. You’d think if she was unhappy, she’d at least try to talk about it.”

  The familiar ache in his chest started up. “I thought she married me because she loved me. Turns out, she loved the idea of being married to a doctor. Only, I was in residency and had loads of student loan debt. I guess I wasn’t giving her the life she’d always imagined.”

  “She left you because you weren’t making enough money?” The shock on her face was evident.

  He stared out at the gentle waves on the lake. “Apparently she was willing to wait for the money—until she found someone else who already had it. Some big shot who’d inherited a few million dollars. Melody said it wasn’t personal. Like it was a business transaction.”

  His stomach soured at the memory.

  “Oh, that’s terrible.” Sidney stared at her sandwich. “I’m sorry.”

  He picked up his Coke and unscrewed the cap. “It was better to find out two years into the marriage, instead of twenty.”

  She nodded, looking up at him. “You said the divorce was rough. Did she get a lot in the divorce settlement?”

  “No. We’d not been married long, and we had no children.” He let out a mirthless chuckle. “She was livid that they denied her alimony. Her face turned purple when the judge told her to go get a job.”

  Sidney laughed. “I bet that was priceless.”

  He sobered. “Taught me a lesson. Not everyone in this world has good intentions.”

  She looked away. “Yeah. Don’t I know it.”

  He wondered if she would elaborate, but the silence stretched out between them until they’d finished eating. He started packing up the things, the thought of someone hurting Sidney making his gut feel tight. Maybe that was why she wanted to wear the fake ring. He understood the instinct to shield yourself from any more pain.

  Sidney slid the dirty paper plates into the trash sack he’d brought and tied the top. “Thanks for bringing lunch.”

  “Sure.” The mood was heavy and he didn’t know how to lighten it back up again. “Should we...” He motioned to the canoe.

  “Yes.” She started down the small embankment to the water. After they were situated in the canoe, they began maneuvering out of the small area near the shore. Together, they paddled in silence as the canoe cut through the water, crossing the lake.

  SIDNEY SILENTLY BEAT herself up. What had she been thinking, asking him about his divorce? Why would she want to kill the good mood like that? Now
Blake sat behind her, a stony expression on his face as he pulled his oar through the water.

  She should have known better. Who wanted to talk about their ex? She certainly didn’t. She bit her lip, trying to decide what to say. “Listen, I’m sorry I—”

  “It’s okay,” he said. “No need to apologize.” He smiled, but it didn’t last.

  “I really shouldn’t have pried. It’s none of my business.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “We’re friends. Talking about the hard stuff is part of it.”

  Friends. She liked the sound of that. She’d never been on that level with Blake before. She’d always felt like the little sister who tagged along. Grayson sometimes complained about her, but Blake would shrug and say, ‘She’s cool.’

  “Yeah, I guess,” she said as she squinted from the reflection of the sun on the water.

  “I’m sure you’ve had your share of heartbreaks.” Blake stopped paddling.

  What did he mean by that? Did he know about Asher? Was he trying to get her to open up about it? She frowned. She didn’t want to talk about it. “Just like everyone. Hey, remember when we decided to explore that cave, and you freaked out?” She glanced behind her.

  He laughed, the lines around his eyes crinkling. “I haven’t thought of that in years.”

  “I thought you were going to have an aneurism, waving your arms in the air.”

  “There was a bat!”

  “That was Grayson, messing with you!” She laughed.

  “You’re kidding me. All this time I thought a bat had nearly taken off my head.”

  “You’re so gullible.”

  They continued to paddle in companionable silence until they’d reached the other side of the lake. Blake wiped his forehead. “I guess we should be heading back.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  By the time they got back to the dock, her muscles ached from the exertion and she was ready for the break. After stopping the boat, Blake stood and extended his hand to help her out. She clasped it and took a step. The canoe rocked and caught her off balance. She yelped and grabbed ahold of him.