by Diana Fraser
She smiled cockily and pulled away. “You gotta keep up, Max.” She turned and smiled at a teenager who excitedly asked for a photo of Laura with her. The photo taken, the teenager ran off shrieking to find her friends.
He offered his arm. “Care for a stroll, Laura?”
“Why not?” She slipped her arm through his and walked down the narrow path, an unnerving experience when being followed by hordes of strangers, jostling to get close to them. “How can you stand this?” he whispered, his head bowed to hers.
“It’s my life. It’s what I choose to do.”
He shook his head. “It’s crazy-making stuff.”
She stopped and smiled but the smile didn’t rise to her eyes which were icy. She raised an eyebrow. “And so is being videoed when I think I’m on private time. Seems you forgot to tell me you’d left the camera running,” she said from between gritted teeth.
“I didn’t know I had, darlin’” he said. “Believe it or not.” He glanced at the crowds who were closing in and tugged her arm. “Let’s keep moving, shall we? Before the pack descends.”
She shrugged. “Sure, why not? It’s a nice day,” she said as if the sunny afternoon was the only reason she agreed.
As they continued along the path he glanced at her but she looked away, the jut of her jaw telling him all he needed to know about her mood.
“I’m surprised you’re angry, given the fact that you live your life in full view of the world.” Still no response. “Surely it’s business as usual for you?”
“What I do,” she said carefully, “I’m in control of. I don’t like these kind of surprises.”
They stopped at a viewing platform and looked out.
“Believe it or not, I’m not exactly thrilled either.”
“Really?” she said coolly. “I hear that the publicity has already brought in a load of business enquiries for the Lodge. And you’re trying to tell me that that wasn’t planned?”
Max leaned against the railing, narrowing his eyes at the bright expansive view. “We don’t know each other well, Laura, so you can believe me or not. That’s your prerogative. I’m ambitious for my businesses and I drive a hard bargain. But one thing I don’t do is succeed by tricking people. That’s not on. If I’d wanted to take a video of us kissing I’d have told you. But I didn’t. Okay?” He didn’t want to wait for an answer. He looked around. “Shall we get going?”
She placed a hand on his arm and for the first time since they’d stopped walking, he got her to look at him. “For real? You didn’t film on purpose?”
“No, Laura, I didn’t. I’m not in the habit of getting what I want by underhand means. I have many faults, but that’s not one of them.”
A slow smile spread over her face. “Apart from kidnapping me mid-river.”
He shrugged. “Apart from that, of course.”
“Okay,” she said, continuing to walk. “I believe you. But don’t do it again, otherwise I’ll tell the world what a terrible kisser you are.” She raised an eyebrow and grinned.
He stopped in mid stride. “They’d never believe you. I’d bring evidence forward to the contrary.”
“Don’t care. Millions of people would believe me.”
He pressed his hand to his chest as if he’d been stabbed. “You are a cruel woman.”
“Not if you do as I say.”
“You’re also a controlling woman.”
“I’m a grown woman, that’s all. Maybe you’re not used to being with grown women.”
“Oh, I can tell you right now, I am. They’re the only kind I like.”
Did he imagine it, or did her smile falter slightly? Before he could call her on it, she’d recovered, apparently into full organizational mode.
“Right. Now, Kelly thinks we should make more of this, seeing how well it’s going. I’ve had approaches from big companies for product endorsement.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “You’d really pretend to have a relationship with me, for some product endorsements?”
“Pretend is the operative word. And the endorsements total a million.”
“Hm.” He glanced around to see the crowd was edging nearer. He continued walking and she fell into step. “And Chelsey is impressed with the interest we’ve had from around the world. It could set my lodge on the map, make it the kind of place I’ve always wanted to turn it into.”
“Then how about it?”
He felt as if he were being pushed into something. He wasn’t in the habit of being pushed, rather, of leading. He pulled her toward him and bent his mouth to her ear so only she could hear. “You’re full of surprises.”
She smiled and looked around at the people who jostled and swarmed around them. “Max says I’m full of surprises!” Everyone laughed and Max smiled through gritted teeth.
She tried to move her hand out of his grip but he allowed his smile to broaden and he held her even more firmly. “And you’re not the only one,” he said to all and sundry. “I have a surprise for you.”
She looked a little uncertain but covered it quickly by a flashing smile. “And what’s that?”
“No, that’s the first rule of surprises—don’t reveal them until the last moment, or else—”
“They cease to be surprises?”
“Exactly. So come with me, Ms. McKinney.”
It had done the trick, set her off-guard, given him the upper hand, even if it meant he had to think quickly to work out exactly what the surprise was going to be. Seems he was as competitive as she was.
In a vain attempt to disperse the crowd of onlookers who were intent on following them, he steered her firmly toward a narrow walkway. It led to a viewing point overlooking the whole of the valley with Queenstown nestled beside the long blue length of Lake Wakatipu.
Despite his choice of destination, people were determined to watch them, clambering dangerously on the sides of the rocks surrounding the lookout, projecting boom microphones over their heads to catch their every word. Nearby the sound of a chopper grew louder until it swept around in front of them, photographers snapping as they went. The chopper circled around once more, to make another sweep.
Laura smiled. “So what’s your surprise?”
“A challenge, Laura, what else?”
Only he could have seen her smile falter a little.
“I only take challenges via the ’net.”
“Oh, my challenge will be on the Internet in seconds. You can consider it at your leisure after you’ve seen it on your phone, if you prefer.” His mind was still whirring with bizarre possibilities, not yet having settled for one.
She grinned. “You haven’t got one, have you? You’re making this up as you go along, trying to beat me at my own game.” She threw her head back and laughed. “Okay. Whatever you come up with, I accept.”
But he didn’t laugh. Suddenly he decided to go along with the most extreme challenge that had popped into his mind, been rejected, but had refused to leave. He thought about the ring of his mother’s he wore around his neck.
“Go on, then,” she teased.
It broke down the last sign of sanity in his mind. He gestured toward the crowds. “Hey, everyone! She’s accepted my challenge!”
Laura’s frown at being pre-empted was quickly replaced by a wide smile. “You know me!” she shouted to the crowds.
“What’s the challenge this time, Laura?” someone shouted.
She smiled. “Max? Maybe you’d like to tell them?”
“Sure, Laura.” He put his arm around her and hugged her. Her body stiffened under his embrace, at the same time as her smile widened. She might be taking the lead on this, but he was determined to push her out of her comfort zone. “Laura’s agreed to a question I haven’t asked her yet, haven’t you, darling?”
He’d have laughed at her reaction if he wasn’t himself stunned by his own behavior.
The crowd hollered, feeling the blood was up. He let go of her hand. She wasn’t going anywhere now. He unclipped the cha
in from around his neck and slid off the ring.
Her face flickered between frowning and smiling. He’d really unsettled her which made him more certain to go ahead. He’d out-maneuvered her and he felt the thrill of the win, quashing any remaining doubt. He took hold of her hand once more and got down on his knees, just as the chopper circled around again to a blast of flashes and shutter sounds.
“Laura McKinney, will you marry me?” He held out his mother’s ring, the diamond flashing in the sunlight.
She looked down at him, her eyes bright with the light of a challenge accepted. She couldn’t resist it and he knew it. No matter what other thoughts were spinning around her head. She’d always rise to the challenge, no matter how preposterous.
“Yes, Max Connelly, I will.”
He didn’t know who was more stunned, him or her. But, stunned or not, he rose, pushed his mother’s ring on her finger and kissed her.
4
“Marriage? Nah! Unless… it’s for at least six months—now that would be a challenge!” @TellTaleGirl #laurasgettingmarried
Laura held the ring to the cameras which were all focused on her hand. She twisted it this way and that, enjoying the flash of light against the plain gold, and wondering what the hell she’d just done.
It was one thing accepting challenges which called for her to eat something gross, or to risk life and limb in a feat of athleticism, but marriage? Her mind was numb, unable to grasp the full implications. But her gut knew what was going on—it twisted into a sickening clench. And the more it twisted, the wider her smile grew to cover it.
She was acutely aware of Max holding her hand tightly, as if he, too, could hardly believe what had just happened. Truth was, he probably couldn’t. Max also had zero interest in marriage. It was a stunt. That’s all it was. They’d marry and then divorce. Easy. It wouldn’t mean anything to either of them.
“Laura! How does it feel to be engaged to be married?”
Married?! Just hearing that word, which she’d never thought of in relation to herself, made her stomach clench more tightly still. What the hell were they doing?
“Surreal!” Everyone laughed, but she couldn’t. It was as if she’d stepped into a parallel universe. Everything looked the same, but everything was different.
“And Max? What made you pop the question?”
Max’s grip on her hand tightened.
“I couldn’t resist!” Max responded.
Laura knew it wasn’t her he couldn’t resist. She knew, because she was exactly the same. Just like her, Max was prey to his competitive instinct, and couldn’t resist a challenge. And he was as stunned as she was with where it had led him.
The questions kept on coming.
“Laura! Is this love?”
She laughed uncomfortably. “That’s for another challenge.”
“If it’s not love, then how long do you see your marriage lasting?”
Max interrupted. “If we could see into the future we could tell you!”
There was laughter but the reporter didn’t let it go. “It’s got to be at least six months. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a real challenge. That’s what Telltale Girl is saying.”
Laura and Max exchanged looks. His expression was a mirror of hers—fixed smile below shell-shocked eyes. She was right. His proposal challenge had been a knee-jerk reaction. That knowledge gave her strength. She turned back to the reporter. “Of course it’s going to be at least six months. Isn’t it, Max?”
“Of course,” he repeated. He turned to the crowd. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve a wedding to organize.”
He pulled her away from the clamor of the world’s press down a narrow winding path.
“Hey! Where are we going?”
“Some place away from that lot,” he said under his breath.
He opened a gate and locked it firmly behind them. Laura waved to those who had followed them as far as they could. “See you later!”
They walked across a small lawn and into a rear entrance of the Lodge. Inside, she looked around. She’d never been in this part of the building before.
“Where are we?”
“My private quarters. I thought it was probably the only place where we could get away from that circus who follow you everywhere. How you cope with this all the time is beyond me.”
“Well, Fiancée, you’d better learn quickly because you’re going to be part of this ‘circus’ for at least six months.”
Whatever he was going to say remained unsaid by the approach of Kelly and Chelsey, both with phones in hands, obviously having watched the whole thing online.
“Max!” said Chelsey.
“Laura!” said Kelly.
Laura and Max looked at each other briefly before they were swept off by their respective staff.
* * *
Max held open the door for Chelsey and she strode into the room, her stiletto heels stabbing the stone-slabbed floor. He couldn’t help thinking that they’d be the last thing Laura would ever wear. He’d only seen her in Doc Martin boots or barefoot. Usually barefoot.
He turned on the screen and flicked channels to see himself proposing to Laura. Was his life always going to be like this? When he wasn’t with the woman who constantly played on his mind, among other things, he’d watch her on the big screen? Seems he’d caught the madness of Laura, like everyone else.
Chelsey turned and glared at him. “What the hell made you say that, Max? Marriage? Are you out of your mind?”
He shrugged. He wasn’t in the habit of agreeing with his marketing manager, but he couldn’t contradict her, so he remained silent.
She huffed, shook her head and glanced at the screen again. “And she’s as mad as you. Why the hell did she agree to marry you?”
He shrugged again but her eyes narrowed dangerously—it was obviously one shrug too many. “Because I’m a catch?” he offered helpfully.
“No you’re not! You’re a workaholic, macho oaf, who’s so out of touch with his feelings that he considers pig hunting in sub zero temperatures to be a good date.”
“How many times do I have to apologize for that,” he grumbled, picking up the remote control to turn off the computer.
“Don’t turn it off!” snapped Chelsey.
He turned it off. “If you’re done shouting, go! I’ve work to do.”
“Correction. We have work to do. I’m not going anywhere.”
He rolled his eyes. “What the hell did I do to deserve you?”
“Nothing. You just got lucky.”
She opened one of the cupboards which lined the wall, found a jumble of sports equipment and closed it again with a grunt before opening another one.
“Which of these damn cupboard do you keep your coffee machine in?” Before he could respond she’d discovered what she was looking for and flicked it on. Then she turned, folded her arms across her chest and fixed her gaze on him.
“First up. Tell me how it happened.”
Max leaned back against the wall, and shrugged. “How do these things normally happen?” He was playing for time and she knew it.
“Well, Max, people date, they fall in love and decide they want to live the rest of their lives together. That is how it’s normally done. And given you’ve only known Laura a few days, I think we can rule ‘normal’ out, don’t you?”
“Truth is, Chelsey, I don’t know how it happened. One minute she was needling me about something, the next I found I’d raised the stakes a notch. Then she came back with something, and then I found myself saying stuff…” He trailed off. He really didn’t want to say out loud what he’d said only moments earlier.
“‘Will you marry me’, kind of stuff?”
“Yeah.” He paced across the room. “I guess I wanted to give her a real challenge, something unpredictable.”
“Something so unpredictable, you didn’t even see it coming.”
He shot her a glance. Sometimes it was annoying working with someone who knew you so well.
“So, let me get this straight,” Chelsey continued. “You began by hi-jacking her bungy jump to have a little alone time with her during which you filmed your kiss.”
“That was an accident.”
“And she believes that?”
He shrugged. “She seemed to. I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to her.”
“And yet you’ve had a chance to propose marriage to her.”
“That was different.” Chelsey’s interrogation was beginning to get on his nerves. He was the boss around here. How come he always got himself surrounded by stroppy women?
“Go on. Tell me how it happened.”
“Why do you need to know in detail?”
“Because I want to put myself in Laura’s shoes, try to get into her head, see what it is that made her accept. Understanding something is half the battle.”
“I didn’t know this was a battle.”
“Of course it is, Max! It’s business. And business is war. Don’t you read your Chinese literature?”
“Not recently.”
“And it’s a war that we need to make sure we win.”
“Chelsey! What the hell has gotten into you?”
There was a silence between them and Chelsey’s expression changed. There was something in her eyes, a hurt, that he’d not seen in a long time. But before he could place it, she turned away and busied herself with making the coffee. “Just tell me why you proposed,” she said in a quieter tone. The fight had slipped out of her. “Give me something to work with.”
He shrugged again. How could he explain the inexplicable? “I couldn’t help myself. She kept saying one thing, and I couldn’t help taking it one step beyond. Then she’d take it a step beyond that and—”
“The rest is history.” She sighed.
He grunted. “A short one, I hope. I don’t want to be married, just like I don’t want to participate in any other disaster.”
“You know, Max, not everyone would consider it a disaster to get married to the internet’s most eligible bachelorette.”