by Liz Lovelock
I shoot off the bed and begin pacing.
“You’re overthinking everything at the moment. If things tonight don’t go well, you can technically break up.” Adele is standing beside me with her hands on her hips, a stony look on her face, and her hard eyes boring into my soul. She can be scary if she wants to. “And if you need to be saved at all, I’ll come and get you. Chance will have my back.”
My feet stop moving. “You’re right. I can leave whenever I want. Adele, what do I do if I start having feelings for him?” I chew my bottom lip, waiting for her to respond.
“If that happens, you take a moment to remember why you hate him in the first place. He left you. He walked away from you and broke your heart. You hate him for the way he made you feel. Then remember that you’re doing this for your mom. She needs this more than you.”
I’m nodding as she speaks, taking in every word she says. She’s right.
“Okay.” I sit again and put the shoes on. Standing, I’m three inches taller. I look at myself once more, and I love what I see. I can do this.
There’s a knock at the door, and my breath leaves me. “It’s him.” I turn toward her, panic-stricken. Adele’s face lights up with a smile. I cast my eyes over the room and spot the silver clutch, another thing I’ve borrowed.
“Can you get the door, and I’ll get my stuff together, please?”
She doesn’t say anything and leaves. I take some lung-filling breaths and attempt to release the tension in my stomach. I grab my phone and lip gloss and stuff them in my bag. Voices fill my living area. Kane’s travels right through me, sending tingles from the top of my head straight to my toes, which curl under the shoe straps.
I have my clutch in one hand and the other pressing against my stomach to settle it. Nothing is working. I shouldn’t be nervous, it’s not like this is real. That’s what I need to remind myself—not to get caught up in all the lovey-dovey stuff because it’s all pretend. He’s going to show me all kinds of affection in public, and I have to grin and bear it or maybe enjoy it.
I can do this, I repeat again.
Closing my eyes briefly, I take hold of the door handle and then open it and my eyes at the same time. I’m momentarily caught in a trance. Kane’s hair is slicked back, not a single strand out of place. It has a wet look to it. His suit is gray, and he’s wearing a light blue button-up shirt underneath. When I finally take in his face, his eyes shine, and his grin is blinding. It’s the look—the one he gave me when we first started dating.
“Don’t stare at me like that,” I snap. I have to keep my head about me, and when he looks like he wants to claim me, I want to let him even though I shouldn’t.
Kane’s eyes widen. “Like what? You look beautiful. I was admiring you.”
“Mm-hmm . . .” It’s all I manage. “Anyway, are we ready to get this over with?”
“Girl, you still have a little way to go before this is over,” Adele chimes in.
I glare at her.
She points her finger in my direction. “Now, don’t you look at me like that because I’m speaking the truth.”
My shoulders sag. “You’re right. Don’t try anything stupid tonight,” I say to Kane. That grin is still plastered across his perfect features. He could be a magazine model. He’s so chiseled in all the right places.
He runs his finger over his heart in a cross. “I can’t promise anything.”
“I want to confirm your family believes we’ve been dating for the past month?”
He nods.
“Okay, is there anything else I need to know?” I have to get all my ducks in a row before I go diving into the deep end.
“Only that they’re excited to see you again, especially my father. He always had a soft spot for you.” My stomach twirls.
“And what about your mother?”
He shuffles on his feet, glances at the ground, then looks back up to my face. “Mom will be mom.” He pauses, sucking air between his teeth, then continues, “You’ve been warned.”
My mouth has fallen open. “I’m sorry. I’m only joking,” he chokes out between breaths.
I hike my dress up with my free hand and storm over to him before shoving him in his firm chest. He doesn’t budge but laughs harder. I can’t help but smile. His laugh has always been infectious. “Don’t do that to me. I’m already stressed out because of everything. This is something major, and I don’t want to slip up.” I giggle nervously.
Finally, he stops and looks at me, really looks. His dark eyes hold mine. I swallow. He reaches out and holds my upper arms and squeezes. “Trust me. You’re going to do great. We’ve got this.” Leaning over, he gently kisses my cheek. I don’t attempt to move. I really want him to take me in his arms as he did a month ago. I’m not sure he’ll do that again, given the way I reacted the first time.
It’s honestly been the only thing I’ve been able to think about. The softness of his lips are long ingrained in my memory, and my body wants more. I’m putting it on a Kane diet, though. Not happening because it’s all pretend.
“Let’s do this.” A nervous swarm of butterflies hits me in the stomach. I grab my keys off the hall table and walk out with my gorgeous ex-boyfriend, now fiancé, following close behind.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kane
Jojo, my Jojo. She takes my breath away.
When she stepped out from behind the door, the air evaporated from my lungs, the way her slim, perfect figure fills out that dress. When Mother told me tonight was going to be a super formal occasion, I nearly died. I really wasn’t sure if Jolene would be on board with it.
Looking at her, I know I made the right decision when it came to her.
“By the way, just to remind you, you look beautiful,” I say as I come up beside her. She’s not her usual snappy self, and I’m positive it’s to do with tonight and what’s to come.
“Thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself.” Her words are stiff, and I can’t help but wonder what’s going through her head.
“Are you okay?” I don’t want her doing this if she doesn’t want to.
She rubs her chin. “I’m not feeling overly confident in my acting abilities.”
I reach out and take the hand she’s just dropped from her face. She doesn’t snatch it back. “You’ll be amazing. You don’t do things by halves . . . it’s all or nothing.”
She squeezes my hand. My stomach does this flip. No other girl has caused that sensation.
Neither of us let go, and when we get downstairs, there’s a white stretch limo waiting out the front.
She stops abruptly. “Really?” She gives me a sideways glance.
“Too much?”
“You think?”
“In all honesty, it wasn’t my idea. It was my mother’s.”
Jojo is silent, then says, “Well, I’m putting my foot down now . . . she’s not planning our wedding.” She grins slyly. I shake my head and lead her to the back door where the driver is waiting with it open. We release hands, and mine is left cold. She slips in gracefully.
Out of all the crazy things I’ve done in my life, this is one of the stupidest. I have no other option according to Dad, though. It’s his way or the highway, and I won’t let the family business be passed over the top of me. Not on my watch.
There’s a crackling silence in the spacious car. “For the record, I didn’t want this to be such an extravagant thing. It’s not me—”
“Could’ve fooled me,” she says before I can finish my sentence.
I playfully nudge her shoulder. “Cut me some slack. My mother likes to be over-the-top, my father likes to hold onto their money. Can you guess why their marriage didn’t work out?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Your parents split?” Her question is genuine.
“Yeah.”
“That’s so sad.” The softness of her words tugs at my chest.
“My parents weren’t happy. I’d rather them apart than listening to them fight and argue constantly.”
>
She reaches out and takes my hand. I swallow. Her beautiful brown eyes stay focused on me. “When I get married, I don’t want to have those fights. I just want happiness. I thought I had that.”
What does she mean? “Adele told me that night I met her at your place that you’d just come out of a relationship. I’m sorry. It’s his loss and my gain.” I squeeze her hand and graze my thumb over her knuckles.
“Ha. This is all pretend. Nothing here is real. I’m holding your hand to get used to you touching me again if I’m being honest.” Even as she says the words, it hurts me. I swallow and nod, then turn to look out the window, our hands still linked. It’s comforting.
“Have you thought about me over the years?” I ask, my voice low. She becomes silent. I continue, “There’s been a few times I’ve thought about you and wondered where you were now.”
“Well, here I am.” She laughs, lifting my hand and gesturing to her beautiful self. She pulls her lip between her teeth and bites down as though she’s unsure what to say.
“Why do you hate me so much?” I cock an eyebrow and wait for her answer.
She takes a moment before she responds. “Do you think the way you ended things was valiant? I don’t. You basically dumped me so you wouldn’t feel guilty about sleeping with other girls. I gave you my heart, and you stomped all over it. I was smitten. There’s one reason I’m helping you now, and you’ll never know what it is because we aren’t that close anymore, or even if we ever were,” she snaps, each word doused in venom. She hates me.
The rest of the drive is spent in silence.
We head out of the city to the upper-class suburbs. With each house we pass, my glaze shifts to Jolene. Her hands sitting in her lap with her fingers twisted in knots. Her insecurities show in this movement. A lump forms in my throat. This isn’t her scene. This lifestyle isn’t what she’s used to.
I tighten my grip on her hand. She turns and stares into my eyes and right down into my soul. Before I can say anything, the car turns into a long, winding driveway. “We’re here,” I announce.
She slips her hand from mine. I’m sure tonight is going to be full of touches and even kisses. This excites me.
“I’m not sure I can do this,” she says, panic in her voice.
I shuffle closer. Her floral scent overtakes me. I take her shoulders and turn her to face me. Her beautiful, delicate features take my breath away. I’m sure God took his time making her so perfect. “You’ve got this. Stay by my side and just remember how we got back together. The same flight. Now, my mother and sister are going to be all over you, gushing. They can’t believe a girl has tamed me.”
“Technically, I haven’t.” Her voice is low.
“Right now, you have.”
Her brows pull together.
Before she can say anything, my door opens. I hold her gaze. I wish I could read her mind. My chest constricts as she leans over and presses her lips gently to mine. I want more, but as quickly as she was there, she’s gone. I suck in a deep breath to try to settle the attack happening in my stomach. It’s possible I might be sick—anxiety is ripping through me like a tornado. I hope I’m doing the right thing.
“You ready?” I ask. Facing me, she nods.
As we get closer to the white front door with the stained-glass paneling, laughter comes from the other side along with some light music. Something classical, it sounds like.
She grounds herself, stopping me in my tracks. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jolene
The door opens without Kane touching anything, then suddenly there’s a doorman or a butler—I’m not even sure which. He’s dressed in a black and white suit—something that servants would wear in movies. Have I stepped back in time? I didn’t realize people still had servants. I knew nannies were still employed.
The moment we step foot on the lush carpet beneath my feet, all heads turn toward us, and I’ve completely underestimated the number of people who were going to be in attendance. An applause erupts in the large living area. I could easily fit four of my apartments in this one room. I wish the floor had swallowed me up before I’d agreed to help Kane.
I lean in close to him. “I’ve changed my mind,” I whisper through a fake smile.
His face turns to mine—to others it would look like a display of affection. I know otherwise. “Too late now, beautiful. Now, keep that gorgeous smile on your face and kiss me.”
I don’t move, but he does. His lips are becoming familiar once again. And I like it. He tastes like minty chewing gum—just like he did in college.
I swallow as the clapping dies down.
He turns and speaks to the crowd. “Thank you all for being here tonight.” I’m not sure how many people there are. A familiar face is walking toward us. Keith has aged, which makes sense.
“Jolene . . .” My name hangs warmly off Keith’s tongue as though I’d never left. His arms open and take me in. He smells like Old Spice, and his hug is like a long-lost friend. He was the closest thing to a father I ever had. In my college years, I’d be at his place if I could avoid going home to my dump of a place.
I never took Kane back to my place. That would have been embarrassing. No one needed to see the one-bedroom apartment I shared with my mother. I’m sure there was mold growing, along with many other infestations. A shiver creeps up my spine at the thought of my old home. I’m so glad we got out of there.
“Mr. Taylor. It’s good to see you again.”
He releases me and steps back. His eyes roam over me. “Please, call me Keith. You look stunning. When Kane told me you two had reconnected, I didn’t believe him. Now I have my proof standing right in front of me. You’re hitting below your average with this guy.” He tosses his thumb toward Kane. We laugh like old friends. Kane looks offended as he takes in the scene before him.
“He really is, isn’t he?” I grin. “How have you been?”
“Now I’m divorced, much better.” He winks.
“You better not be talking badly about me.” A shrill voice comes from behind Keith. His eyes pop open, and he gives me a sympathetic smile, then moves aside. There stands a woman who has never really liked me. Hazel Taylor. Her golden-colored hair is tied up perfectly, and I have to look closely to see any kind of wrinkles. Botox.
“Hello, Mrs. Taylor. So good to see you again.”
She pulls me in, and I nearly cough with the amount of perfume she’s doused herself in. After she says her hello, she takes off to another area of the room.
“Is this her?” A young woman, probably in her mid-twenties, steps in. Her smile is warm, and I like her right away. I remember her being much younger. Many years have passed since I’ve seen Callie.
Kane chuckles beside me. “Callie, this is Jojo or Jolene. I’m not sure if you remember her or not.” His hand presses against my lower back. Warmth spreads over me. I shuffle closer to him, and he happily complies, putting his arm right around my waist and resting it on my hip.
Callie has the same dark features as Kane, and dark chocolate waves lay over her bare pale shoulders. If she stepped one foot outside, she’d probably freeze. Thank goodness for heating. The bright red dress complements her snow-white skin. Her familiar dark eyes roam over me as though she’s deciding if we’re going to be friends or not. I wonder if she’s as uppity as her mother.
“It’s nice to see you, Callie. You’ve grown so much since I last saw you.” I extend my hand. Instead of taking it, she stares at it. I chew my lip and pull my hand back to my side.
“Be nice,” Kane growls in a low voice at her. Her eyes widen innocently.
“I’m always nice.”
Is she testing me? “Or you’re just pretending to be nice,” I say with a cocked brow. I’m done being analyzed by everyone in the room—their eyes on me a like little daggers.
Callie stands straight and smiles. It’s warm and welcoming. “Okay, I like you.” Then she turns and walks
away. Her red spaghetti-strap dress flows behind her.
“Was I being tested?” I glance up at Kane, who wears a grin that gives me my answer. I smack his chest. “Why would you let her do that to me?”
He flinches. “It’s her way of sussing out the type of person you are. If you were here only for the money, then you would’ve smiled and accepted the way she treated you. But you stood up for yourself and stuck it to her.” He gives a small shrug.
“Now, I’m not so sure I want to be her friend. Perhaps it’s better if she thinks I’m only here for one thing.” I give him a pointed glare.
“Don’t . . .” His grip tightens on my hip. I like it. I lean into him. I catch him shaking his head slightly. That grin, though. “Let’s go mingle.” And he ushers me off to meet all his friends and family.
We go around the room for introductions and greetings. I’ve soon forgotten the anxiety I had when I walked in the door, and things become more casual. Servers are walking around with plates of little nibbles. My stomach has been in overdrive since I got here, but now, more than an hour later, it feels like it’s eating away at my insides. I need food.
“Please excuse me while I go find a bite to eat,” I say to Kane as he chats with a friend. Leaving his side is a daunting task. When I finally catch a server in my sights, I make a beeline right for her. I lightly touch her shoulder, and she turns with a grin.
“Oh, thank goodness. I’m starving. What do you have here?”
“They’re chicken skewers and some pigs in a blanket.”
How very informal. I take two of the chicken kebabs and two of the pigs in a blanket. The girl walks off, smiling.
“How are you settling in?”
Spinning toward the voice, I find Callie holding a glass of wine.
“Oh, it’s a lot to take in. This isn’t my usual crowd.” I shove one of the little pigs in my mouth.
She takes a sip of her drink, then says, “I like you, but if you hurt my brother . . .”
I hold up my hand to stop her. When I finish what’s in my mouth, I say, “Look, if anything, I’m more scared your brother will hurt me. It’s happened before. This is like our second chance, so he better not blow it.” I give her a pointed look, and her pinched-up features soften.