Scandalous Engagement

by Jules Bennett

  “I plan on going back to Green Valley,” Reese added. “Sam and Nick want to confront Rusty. All of us together.”

  His mother inhaled sharply and glanced up at him. He saw the fear in her eyes, but she remained strong. Two of the strongest women he’d ever known both had their eyes on him.

  “I only want to meet him, maybe see if he knows the name of the woman who gave birth to me.”

  Now Laura Conrad’s eyes did well up. The last thing he wanted was to cause her pain.

  “I may not do anything with the information,” he assured her. “I honestly don’t know. All I know is this is still new to me and you guys have had years to process. I’m asking you to trust me to do what is right for me now.”

  Martin came to his feet and eased around the patio table. “Of course we trust you, son. You do what you think is best. We’ll support you.”

  Reese nodded, worried if he said too much, emotions would clog his throat and overcome him. This delicate situation demanded control.

  His father reached out and wrapped his arms around Reese. Patting his back, Reese took the embrace, this one meaning so much more than any in the past.

  “Will you keep us posted on what you find?” his mother asked.

  Reese turned back to face her and smiled. “Of course. Josie and I are going to Tennessee in a couple of days. I’m not sure how long we’ll be there, so we may just go on to New York from there.”

  His mom came to her feet and opened her arms. He gathered her in, recognizing as always how petite yet resilient she was.

  “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” she whispered. “I just don’t want this to change us.”

  He eased back and held on to her slender shoulders. “You guys are my parents. Nothing can change that.”

  Over his mother’s shoulder, Reese caught Josie swiping a tear. He didn’t even think of the emotional impact this would have on her. Having a distant relationship with her father and no mother, this had to be difficult, seeing him with such a strong bond with both of his parents.

  “I’ll just leave you guys and start cleaning up.” Josie eased her chair back and started reaching for the dishes. “I’ll bring dessert in a few minutes.”

  “Don’t clean up,” Reese told her, but she was already stacking plates and carrying them away.

  “You’ve got a good woman there,” his father declared. “It’s going to take a strong woman by your side to do the work we do.”

  Reese was well aware of that, but he hadn’t thought of Josie by his side in that sense for the long term. They were friends...friends enjoying the hell out of each other and helping the other out during a difficult time.

  Would his parents be disappointed when he told them he and Josie weren’t actually going to get married? Maybe, but he would have to cross that bridge when they got to it.

  And it wasn’t like Josie was going anywhere, right? She would still be by his side as his friend. Her support was all he needed—the intimacy was just the fulfillment of something he’d been fantasizing about.

  He had so many career goals to achieve before thinking of anything long-term with a woman. Besides, Josie never acted like she was ready for a commitment, either. So why was he stressing? Why was he feeling a heaviness, knowing the end of this farce was near?

  * * *

  “I was also thinking we could do a live timeline piece.”

  Josie had been taking diligent notes about the new spring options for her column. Even though they hadn’t reached fall yet, the industry was always looking ahead at least one or two seasons. They had to stay ahead of other competing journalists, bloggers and magazines. The entire industry was one big race to see who could reveal the next season’s hottest styles, fashions, dinner party themes and so much more.

  “I’d like to document your journey to the aisle,” Melissa stated with much more glee than Josie was feeling.

  Josie stared down at the ruby. She couldn’t stop staring at it. When she worked, there it was. When she drove, there it was. When she was sipping her morning coffee, there it was.

  Always a reminder of this farce she’d started.

  “I’ve got so much other material to cover,” Josie stated. “I’m super excited about the fall spread I’m doing on various ciders and pairings. I think it will be great to incorporate those with a coastal feel since not everyone can have a bonfire and hoodies.”

  “Yes, yes,” her editor agreed. “I love that idea, too, but I’d like to hand that one off and have you solely focus on this engagement.”

  Josie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. What could she say? Until the Manhattan opening, she and Reese were playing the part of lovers in love.

  She had the lover part down, but she didn’t know about the “in love” part.

  Did she?

  No. That would be silly. They weren’t in love; they were just friends. Sure she loved him in that best-friend way, but what did she know about being in love with someone? She’d never experienced any such emotion.

  She blew out her breath and attempted to relax. Once this was all over, she wouldn’t be so anxious and have to take so many calming breaths...she hoped.

  “That’s fine,” Josie reluctantly agreed.

  She’d still get that fall piece back once Melissa realized there wasn’t actually going to be a wedding, so there was nothing to worry about. Josie would just keep those notes saved on her computer and continue to work silently on that project.

  “Would you be opposed to me sending a photographer with you when you look at dresses?” she asked. “Obviously, not taking shots when you find the one.”

  Dresses? Um, she wasn’t going to go quite that far in this charade.

  “I won’t be looking at dresses for a while.” Josie felt a little better about that true statement. “Reese is so busy with his opening in Manhattan, and we are taking a short trip to Tennessee before that. We can discuss the dress situation when I return.”

  And that would buy the time she needed to come clean.

  “I can work with that time frame, but we’ll need to post some things on the blog. Maybe you could share some of your favorite places where you’ll be registering or we could do a fun poll on where viewers think you should honeymoon.”

  Registering and honeymoons were definitely not on her radar. Josie wanted out of this conversation and off the phone so she could start packing for her trip. She was both anxious and excited to go away with Reese. She wanted to meet Nick and Sam and she was more than ready to get away.

  “Maybe a poll of favorite flowers?” Josie suggested. “Something simple, but not too much.”

  “Great idea. I’ll get something put up tomorrow, but make sure you interact with the viewers.” Her editor laughed. “Why did I tell you that? Of course you will. This is the happiest time of your life.”

  Josie glanced to the ring again. Maybe not the happiest, but definitely the most interesting.

  “I’ll be sure to hop on over the next few days,” Josie promised.

  She finally ended the call and sat back in her chair.

  Pushing aside all the wedding talk and engagement whirlwind was going to be best for this trip. None of this was real, so letting it occupy space in her mind would only drive her crazy.

  Josie came to her feet and shifted her focus to the trip. She needed to be Reese’s support system for this. When he’d told his parents, Josie had been surprised at how well they took the news that Reese had discovered the truth. She’d been overcome with emotion at their precious bond, at the hurdles they faced as a team and conquered together.

  She shouldn’t feel sorry for herself. Maybe her entire life would’ve been different had her mother lived, but that was not the way things were meant to be. Josie knew her father loved her. He just had closed in on himself and become even more regimented since he’d retired from the mi
litary, and that was okay. She could look back now and see that he had struggled. Everyone dealt with loss differently.

  Josie headed to the bedroom she had been sharing with Reese. The work on her house was almost done, but she wouldn’t be staying there until she and Reese returned from New York. When they returned, the farce would be over, the engagement would end and they’d go back to being just friends.

  The looming deadline weighed heavy on her. She didn’t know why. They’d been friends before; they’d be friends again.

  But now that she’d been intimate with him, how could she give that up? They’d grown closer than she’d ever thought possible. But there was no future for them as an actual couple. There was no reason to be delusional about the truth.

  Nope. Reese would go right back into that best-friend box and one day they would look back at this engagement and just laugh.

  Right?

  Thirteen

  Reese slid his hand into Josie’s as they made their way toward the entrance of Hawkins Distillery. This time walking in was no easier than the first, but at least now he had her by his side.

  True, he’d already met the guys, but now there were more details to discuss and their lives would continue to intertwine.

  Sam had arranged for a private dinner after closing hours so they would all have privacy and could freely talk. Apparently, Sam’s and Nick’s significant others were going to be here as well, so Reese was doubly glad he wouldn’t be the fifth wheel.

  “I’ve never heard you this quiet,” she murmured as they neared the main entrance.

  “How can you hear me being quiet?”

  She laughed and slapped his arm. “You know what I mean.”

  He did and he appreciated her concern. Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he stepped to the entrance and gripped the wrought iron door handle as he turned to face her.

  “I know what you mean, but I’m fine. Nervous, but it helps that you’re here.” He tipped his head, his eyes darting to her lips. “You still haven’t worn that red lipstick. Saving it for a special occasion?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I can’t just wear red lipstick, Reese.”

  “You can,” he countered. “We all have to face our fears, Jo. Step out of our comfort zone sometimes to see what or who we can become.”

  Josie stared at him, then leaned in and gently kissed him before easing back. It took quite a bit to surprise Reese, but her spontaneous show of affection, when they didn’t need to put on a show or weren’t heading into the bedroom, surprised him.

  “Since you’re facing your fear, you looked like you needed it,” she told him with a smile before he could question her.

  Releasing the door, he framed her face and gave her a proper kiss. There was no gentleness, no lead-in. This woman was an addiction he couldn’t let go of anytime soon.

  When he eased back, still holding on to her, her eyes remained closed and her mouth open. He stroked his thumb across her lower lip.

  “I always need that,” he murmured.

  Her lids slowly lifted as she refocused on him. “What’s happening between us?”

  A knot in his stomach tightened. He had no clue how to answer that because he wasn’t quite sure himself. He knew she was his best friend, knew that they were more than compatible in the bedroom and knew she’d always stood by his side. But he wasn’t sure beyond that. In his world right now, he had a mess that needed to be cleaned up before he could think too much about anything else.

  “Let’s curb this topic for later,” he suggested.

  She stared another minute before ultimately nodding. He kissed her once more before letting her go and opening the door. He gestured for her to go ahead of him and then he followed her in.

  “Wow,” she muttered as soon as they were inside.

  Reese had to admit, the place was spectacularly done in an industrial, modern yet old-charm combination. The exposed brick walls, scarred wood floors, and leather-and-metal chairs in the lobby area were perfect. Definitely masculine, rustic, very Smoky Mountains and spot-on for a distillery.

  “I’ve never been to a distillery,” she told him. “I may just have to do an article on Hawkins because this place is amazing, and I only just walked in. Think I could get a guided tour?”

  “Of course you can.”

  Reese turned to see Sam striding toward them. He reached out and shook Reese’s hand, then turned his attention to Josie.

  “I’m Sam Hawkins,” he stated. “I’ll give you a tour anytime you want. After dinner, if you have the time.”

  Josie’s smile widened and nodded. “I’m Josie and I’d love that, but I should tell you I’m a journalist, so I ask all the questions.”

  Sam laughed and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m aware of who you are, and you can ask all the questions you want.”

  Of course Sam had done his research. He’d invited virtual strangers into his space, strangers who were near family. Reese had done his share of looking into all parties in attendance as well.

  Sam’s fiancée, Maty Taylor, was an attorney. Actually, she had been Rusty’s attorney, so Reese had to assume that’s how Maty and Sam met.

  Then there was Nick and his fiancée, Silvia Lane. Silvia was expecting a baby and the two were finishing up a spectacular resort in the mountains. Reese had every intention of booking their best suite once it opened.

  “We’ll discuss a possible article later,” Josie promised.

  Sam nodded. “Sounds good. Everyone is already in the back if you guys want to follow me.”

  Josie slid her hand into Reese’s. The fact that he didn’t even have to ask for her support just proved how in tune they were with each other. He might be a bundle of nerves on the inside, but having her with him during the most difficult, worrisome time in his life was absolutely invaluable.

  They headed all the way into the back where a large enclosed dining area had been set up. The three exterior walls were all windows, providing a breathtaking view of the mountains.

  “This is our main tasting room.” Sam directed his comment to Josie. “I can set you up with a tasting after the tour, too, or you can try anything you want with your dinner.”

  Josie’s smile beamed once again and Reese could feel the excitement rolling off of her. This was why she excelled at her job. She truly loved what she did, and it showed through her enthusiasm and her research.

  Reese turned his attention to the other three in the room. They stood in a group near the table all set up and he found that their smiling faces put his nerves at ease. Instinct had gotten him far in business and he had a good feeling about today, about the future.

  “You must be Reese and Josie.” A slender woman with long blond hair approached them and extended her hand. “I’m Maty Taylor, Sam’s fiancée. We’re really glad you both could join us.”

  The other two came around the table as well, and Reese felt the nerves slip away as all of the introductions were made. There was something so ironic that the three men were all broad and powerful and each of the women they were with appeared to be bold, confident. Reese wondered what other underlying similarities they all shared.

  “I’m Nick Campbell and this is my fiancée, Silvia Lane.”

  Silvia had a small baby bump and Reese felt a twinge of jealousy. What would Josie look like pregnant with his child?

  But immediately, he shut that question down. He wasn’t ready for long-term with her or anyone else. He and Josie were forging their way through this new territory and the thought of a child terrified him.

  That one-day-family idea he’d had wasn’t coming anytime soon. He had too many plans he wanted to have in place before he started thinking about his legacy.

  “I have to be honest,” Maty said, leaning toward Josie. “Silvia and I are giddy with excitement that you’re here. We absolutely love your column.”

&nb
sp; Reese watched as Josie simply beamed. “Thank you so much. I love meeting readers one-on-one. Writing can be a lonely industry.”

  “And congratulations on the engagement,” Silvia added. “Isn’t it funny how life works? The guys all discover they’re brothers and we all have recently become engaged.”

  Josie glanced to Reese and he literally saw the proverbial shield come down, masking her true emotions. Nobody knew her like he did, so her reaction wouldn’t be noticeable. Still, he hated they were in a position to lie.

  He also hated that he’d heard Chris had still been leaving notes and flowers on Josie’s doorstep. His construction crew had kindly informed Reese of that fact, and Reese had sent Chris a not-so-subtle text telling the guy to move on or face harassment charges.

  Hopefully that was the end of the issue.

  The women seemed to shift and congregate discussing weddings and babies...neither topic appealed to Reese, so he moved toward Nick and Sam.

  “Thanks for making the trip,” Nick said. “I’m sure this is still a shock to you.”

  Reese tucked his thumbs through his belt loops and nodded. “I’m getting used to the idea. I spoke with my parents, so that was the toughest part.”

  “I can’t imagine,” Nick added. “Sam and I have a meeting set up with Rusty tomorrow evening at seven. We’re actually meeting in his office.”

  Reese listened to the details about how the charges of embezzlement were sticking, how Rusty was about to lose everything and how Sam had never revealed to Rusty that he was Sam’s father.

  “So Rusty only knows of you?” Reese asked Nick.

  Nick nodded.

  “I didn’t want anything from him,” Sam chimed in. “I didn’t want money or to merge our businesses, nothing. I didn’t want to give him any inkling that I was his son, but after thinking it over, I don’t care if he knows. He’s tried to buy my distillery for years now and I’m more than happy to show him just how powerful I’ve become. He’s got nothing on me.”