by Dylann Crush
“What’s the scoop? Tell me everything. Where did y’all meet? What’s he look like?” Jojo slid into the booth opposite her with an expectant grin on her face.
Lacey toyed with her straw. “Well, you actually know him.”
“I do? Who is he?”
“Bodie Phillips.” Lacey sighed as she kept her gaze trained on the contents of her glass. Bubbles floated to the top then burst, kind of like how the bubbles in the pit of her stomach felt as she waited for a reaction from Jojo.
“You’re getting married to Deputy Phillips?” Jojo leaned back, slumping against the back of the booth. “He’s a hottie, that’s for sure. But really? I haven’t seen the two of you so much as smile at each other without one of you getting mad enough to chew up nails and spit out a barbed wire fence. What’s going on?”
Jojo’s reaction didn’t surprise Lacey. She’d been waiting for someone to call her out and point out the obvious—that she and Bodie went together like whipped cream and cow patties. Now she had two choices: give Jojo her most convincing story or admit everything was a farce and hope her friend wouldn’t sell her out. As she contemplated which way to go, the bell over the door jangled.
Lacey glanced to the front of the restaurant. “I’ll get this one.”
“Go ahead. Then come back here and tell me all about your sordid secret love affair with the good deputy.” She pulled the latest issue of her women’s magazine out of her purse.
Before she had a chance to stand, Bodie stopped at their booth, leaned down, and planted a kiss on Lacey’s cheek. “Hi there.”
She pulled back in surprise as he sat down next to her. Jojo’s eyes just about bugged out of her head at the sight of Ido’s most eligible law enforcement officer.
“Jojo.” He nodded at her.
“Deputy.” She nodded right back.
“How’s my girl today?” Bodie slid an arm over Lacey’s shoulders and dangit if her bra didn’t immediately feel just a little too tight.
“Lacey just told me the good news,” Jojo stammered.
“Is that right, bubblewubble?” He nudged his nose into Lacey’s ear, whispering, “The engagement, right?”
She nodded. As if there were something else newsworthy to share. “Jojo and I were about to start talking about the cake. She offered to make us one after Helmut tried to charge me two grand.”
“For a cake?” Bodie asked. “Better be frosted in solid gold for that amount of money.”
Jojo cleared her throat. “About the frosting.”
“Yes?” Bodie and Lacey turned to her at the same time, speaking in unison.
“I can make you a cake that’ll melt in your mouth but I can’t frost worth a damn.” She screwed her mouth into a frown. “We’ll have to find someone else to pitch in on that part.”
Bodie cocked his head. “So you’ll make the cake?”
“Oh, absolutely.” Jojo nodded, her earrings bobbing up and down along with her head.
“But we need to find someone else to put the frosting on? Isn’t adding frosting part of making a cake a cake?” A line appeared, bisecting his forehead.
“I didn’t say I could frost a cake, only that I could bake one. If y’all want to find someone else—”
“No.” Lacey reached across the table to latch on to Jojo’s wrist. “I appreciate your willingness to pitch in. I’ll find someone to do the rest.”
“Okay then.” Jojo lowered herself back onto the red vinyl bench. “Now, how many people do we need to serve?”
“I don’t know.” Lacey let go of Jojo and shook her head. “I still don’t have a final list. Bodie, can you get me your guest list ASAP?”
“I’ll do it now. My mom, my dad, and my pops.” He held up three fingers.
“That’s it?” Lacey frowned.
“Hell yeah, that’s it. I don’t want the whole town witnessing the show.”
Jojo’s eyes narrowed. What was Bodie doing? He was about to give up the whole secret.
“Look, I know you’re nervous about things, sweetums, but we’re all friends here.” She scooted closer to him on the booth as she leaned across the table toward Jojo and lowered her voice. “He’s so sensitive. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but he’s like a big cream puff inside.”
“Mmm.” Jojo clasped her hands together.
She wasn’t buying it. Bodie needed to get with the program or the entire engagement would be blasted as a fake. She snaked a hand up around his neck and pulled his head down. At first he resisted. She leaned up and murmured against his ear, “You’re blowing our cover.”
He turned his torso to face her, a glint of challenge in his eyes. “I’m sorry, cinnamon bun, you’re right, I do get shy about us. But that’s going to change, I promise.” Then he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, angled his head, and pulled her into his chest. His lips sought hers, playing along the seam of her mouth until she opened for him. His tongue dipped inside. He tasted like coffee and something sweet . . . doughnuts, maybe. Her hands instinctively tangled in the hair at the base of his neck. She forgot she was sitting in a back booth at the Burger Bonanza. Forgot Jojo sat across from them, taking everything in. Forgot her own damn name as the sensations she’d been dreaming about since the last time he’d kissed her rocketed through her system.
He took the kiss deeper, angling her head back, cradling her skull in his large, capable hand. She pressed her fingers into his shoulders, drawing him closer as she tried to think of one good reason not to climb onto his lap.
“Ahem.” Something clunked against the table. “Ahem.” Jojo cleared her throat again.
Lacey broke away from Bodie’s lips. Dazed, she glanced around, forgetting for a moment exactly where she was, exactly who she was.
Jojo pulled her shirt away from her body with one hand as she fanned herself with the other. “I take it back. Y’all seem evenly matched.” Then she got up from the table. “Break’s over. I’ll roll the silverware if you bus tables.”
Lacey nodded, waiting for Jojo to move beyond earshot. Then she glanced up at Bodie and wiped a smudge of pink lip gloss from the corner of his mouth. “Thanks, that was very convincing.”
“Yeah.” His finger traced the spot where hers had been. “That’s what we’re after . . . convincing, right?”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “I’ve got to get back to work. Did you stop by for something?” Something beyond laying a deep, earth-shattering kiss on her? One she’d be feeling for days?
“Yeah, uh, I talked to one of my pals from high school who owns his own carpentry business. He said he’d build us a thing to stand under when we take our fake vows.” His fingers drummed on the table. “What’s it called? Not a gazebo, but . . .”
“An arbor?” She waited for an answer, keyed up at the idea of one of her childhood dreams coming true. She’d always wanted to stand under an arbor with the sun setting behind her and her groom.
“Yeah, that. I saw that picture in your file and figured if we were having it outside it might make a nice backdrop.”
Before she thought better of it, she reached a hand out and cupped his cheek. “Thanks, Bodie. I think that’ll be beautiful.”
His face flushed, just a teeny tiny tinge of pink. Enough to let her know he’d put thought into this.
“Well, I’ve got to go. There’s a report on that pit bull ring that came in this morning. I think they’re setting up another fight, close this time.”
Her lungs seized. “Where?”
“Don’t know yet. Maybe over in Springer. I’d love to find those jerks and take the whole thing down.” His jaw clenched as he talked about it.
“You be careful. If there’s money involved, those horrible people are going to do what they can to protect their investment.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you standing at the altar, Sweets.” He
tipped his hat as he scooted out of the booth and held out a hand to help her.
“Just watch yourself.” She stood in front of him, not sure how to close the conversation. They were going more and more public with their fake engagement. People might expect them to be a little more affectionate toward each other. Thinking of what Jojo said, that she and Bodie didn’t seem like they were in love, made her pull him against her for a hug.
“What’s that for?” he asked, mumbling into her hair as his arms surrounded her.
“We’ve got to make people think we’re really in love.” She squeezed him tighter then let him go.
He nodded. “I see. In that case, I’ll pick you up at seven tonight.”
“For what?” What in the world could Bodie be planning? The cocky tilt of his lips gave nothing away.
“Date night. Isn’t that what couples do?” He began to move toward the door, walking backward so she could still see the smug expression on his face.
“All right, then. Seven o’clock,” she agreed.
“And wear something sexy.” Then he ducked through the front door and was gone.
thirty-seven
Bodie fiddled with his tie, wondering if he’d made a mistake. Maybe he should have just handed Lacey the fake ring he’d picked up. But she wanted a public splash so he might as well make it a memorable moment for whoever happened to be there tonight.
He cut the engine and walked up the sidewalk to the Cherish home, a knot of nerves tightening in his gut. Everything had happened so fast—the engagement, the wedding plans. He hadn’t had a chance to follow up with Lacey’s dad to make sure he was on board with the whole idea. Surely Lacey had broken down and told him about the ruse. She must have. Otherwise he would have heard something from her dad or worse—something from Luke—by now.
He’d barely raised his hand to knock when Mr. Cherish opened the door. The man used to keep a clean-shaven chin but several months of house arrest seemed to sap the desire to keep up appearances right out of him. He stood in the doorway in ratty sweatpants, a stained T-shirt, and a pair of well-worn slippers.
“I wondered when you’d have the balls to show up around here.” Mr. Cherish opened the door wide, motioning for Bodie to come in.
“Mr. Cherish, let me explain.” He’d confronted hardened criminals with more confidence than he felt facing Lacey’s dad.
“I wish someone would tell me what the hell is going on.” He crossed his arms over his chest and pulled himself up to his full five feet ten inches, several inches shy of Bodie’s six foot three.
“There you are. Ready?” Lacey spun into the room in a red dress that fluttered around her legs, drawing his attention to her slim waist, the low cut of the neckline, and bare arms. “Let me just grab my coat.”
“Where do you think the two of you are off to?” Mr. Cherish stepped between Lacey and the closet, preventing her from passing.
“Date night, Dad. Bodie’s taking me out . . . somewhere. Where are we going?” She glanced up at him, expectant.
“Dinner. That new place out past Swynton.” Somehow, under the weight of both of their stares, he’d forgotten the name of the place where he’d spent the afternoon, making sure everything was ready for their big night.
“Suddenly you’re a big spender?” Mr. Cherish asked. “Anything else you want to tell me, Son?” He practically spit out the word son, definitely intending it as an insult as opposed to an endearment.
“Lacey? You’ve talked to your father about this, haven’t you?” Bodie asked, his gaze bouncing back and forth between them.
She sighed. “Yes and no.”
“Meaning?” Bodie inched closer, waiting for her to reassure him that her dad wasn’t about to go grab his twelve-gauge and take matters into his own hands.
“I told him our good news.” She linked her arm through his. “About the engagement.”
“And?” Bodie prompted.
“Fine. I didn’t want to say anything because I’m terrified this is going to come back to bite us in the ass.”
“Go on,” her dad said, gesturing for them to sit down on a barstool at the kitchen counter.
“Bodie and I are faking the wedding so we can get some media coverage.” The words tumbled out of her mouth as she slumped onto a stool.
Her dad’s forehead creased. He opened his mouth like he wanted to ask a question then snapped it closed again.
“I know, it’s ridiculous.” Lacey waved her arms around her head. “But you once told me you wished you’d done more, tried harder, to make this into the kind of place you wanted to raise your kids. I took that to heart, Dad. If I have a way I can save the town, I have to try.”
“Lacey, honey.” Her dad took the stool next to her. “I didn’t mean sacrificing your happiness, your own future.”
Bodie rolled his eyes. “You’re not suggesting that marrying me would be the worst kind of fate available to her, are you?”
Lacey stifled a laugh. “What are my other choices?”
Her dad reached for her hands. “Your willingness to put the town first, to put everyone’s needs in front of your own is admirable.”
She nodded, her gaze trained on their hands. Feeling like a total third wheel, Bodie put a hand on her shoulder. “I agree with your dad on this one.”
“But it’s not necessary. I know you’ve got your heart set on turning the tide for Idont.”
“It’s Ido now, Dad. I found out today the motion passed and the vote made it official.” She lifted her head, the glint of a tear flashing in the corner of her eye. “When I decided to run for mayor I made a promise to myself. That I’d do whatever it took to make Ido a better place. Now’s my chance. The town needs something to look forward to, something to put their faith in. The wedding venue could be it. They just need to see it in action.”
“I hope you’re right about this.” Mr. Cherish gave her hands a squeeze then hopped off the stool. “Bodie, for what it’s worth, thanks for doing your part.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome, sir.”
A firm hand landed on his shoulder and Bodie looked into the unforgiving eyes of Lacey’s dad. “Just make sure the fake engagement stays fake. No funny business.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ve got to keep this a secret, Dad. You can’t tell anyone,” Lacey said.
“Who would I tell?” Her dad gestured around the house. “The only person I see on a daily basis is you.”
“Luke.” Lacey lowered her head. “You can’t tell Luke a thing. Not until it’s over and the magazine article has been published. Promise?”
“What would he do, hop on a transport and fly home to break his best friend’s nose?” her dad joked.
Bodie nodded to himself. That sounded exactly like something Luke might do if he thought Bodie was taking advantage of his baby sister. Better to set the record straight before word got around. “Maybe we should tell him—”
“No.” Lacey whirled on him. “Absolutely not.”
“Okay.” Bodie shrugged. “It’s your show. Now, come on, Act One is about to start and I need my leading lady.”
With a question in her eyes, she took the hand he offered. “Do I even want to know?”
He grinned as he shook his head. “There ought to be some surprises, don’t you think?”
* * *
* * *
Less than thirty minutes later they’d been seated at the table he’d picked out at the exclusive new restaurant on the other side of Swynton. It wasn’t Cattleman’s, but it would do. Based on the few pictures he’d finally managed to find of the interior of the swanky restaurant in downtown Houston, he figured he could make it look similar enough that no one would be able to tell the difference.
“Wow, you’re certainly going all out,” Lacey said as she placed the cloth napkin in her lap.
“No
thing but the best for my fiancée.” He raised his water glass in her direction before taking a sip.
The corners of her mouth tipped up. The sadness from earlier was gone, replaced by a casual comfortableness. But there was nothing low-key about the dress she had on. He’d been trying not to notice how it clung to her curves, leaving little to the imagination. Having had his hands and his mouth all over every inch of her already, his imagination didn’t have to do much work anyway to picture the creamy skin the dress barely covered.
Lacey picked up the menu. “Have you been here before?”
“Just once.” He reached for the wine list. Maybe a bottle of something decadent and red would set the mood. He scanned the list. Or possibly a sparkling would be more in line with the tone he wanted to set for the evening. “Do you have a preference on wine tonight?”
She lifted a shoulder. “Surprise me. That’s your goal, right?”
Sparkling, he decided. Something effervescent to add a little bubbly to the evening. “Is that a challenge?”
“Sure. Take it how you will.” She looked around the restaurant, probably trying to see if there was anyone she recognized, or worse, someone who might recognize her.
“Challenge accepted.” They should be somewhat hidden from prying eyes. He’d made sure of it when he stopped by earlier to pick the table and make arrangements with the waitstaff.
By the time they placed their order and the wine had been delivered to their table, Lacey appeared to relax even more. The candlelight played off her skin, making her red lips look even redder and her skin appear even smoother than he already knew it to be. He had to keep reminding himself that this was all part of her plan, not some form of foreplay. He’d be taking her back to her place after and dropping her off with her dad. There would be no repeat of the night they shared. Or the morning after.