by Lisa Scott
Her lashes fluttered as she woke. She seemed confused as her eyes scanned the room and then widened when she looked over at me. “We’re going all the way with this ruse, aren’t we?”
“Guess we can consider it method acting.” I was happy at least that she didn’t run screaming out of bed.
She just smiled. “I don’t think you were acting last night.” She raised an eyebrow. “I know I wasn’t faking.”
I pulled her to me and planted another kiss on her lips. “I really appreciate you agreeing to let my mom think we’re together. And just a reminder—we’re supposed to stop over there today. And pretend we’re engaged. And in love.”
She gave me the cutest grin. “Maybe I could just be so smitten I hardly say anything at all?”
“You’ll be fine.”
She smoothed her hands over the sheets. “These are nice.”
“Eight-hundred thread count. I like to be comfortable when I sleep. It’s the little things, you know?”
I swear she growled before pulling me back down on top of her for another round.
***
My mother was crying. Sam patted her back, and to her credit, didn’t try to withdraw from the hug. Mom finally stepped back and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy to meet you. You two make such a lovely couple. Have you thought about a date yet?”
Sam looked a bit pale. “Oh, no. It’s just all so new. It’s hard to believe it’s really going to ever happen.” She cleared her throat.
I draped my arm around Sam. “It’s going to be something small.”
Mom wrung her hands. “I wish I had more money to contribute. But I’m sure we can come up with something nice.”
Sam’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, don’t worry about that. My mother saved quite a bit of money to pay for my wedding.”
Mom clapped her hands together. “How wonderful. I’d love to meet her.”
Sam looked at the floor. “She died four years ago.”
The only sound in the room was the clock ticking. Mom reached out and touched Sam’s arm. “I’m sorry, dear. I don’t know if Justin told you about my cancer scare. I’m so lucky to be here to see the two of you get married. I’m sure your mother will be watching from above.”
Sam sniffed and nodded. The mood was getting way too intense for a fake engagement celebration.
“My son is a wonderful man. I know he’ll be a fantastic husband, and that catering idea of his is just bound to take off.” Her face looked younger and hopeful.
“Yes, we were checking out some of the food trucks at the Apple Blossom festival yesterday. I love his idea. He’s very clever. Have you thought of a name, Justin?”
“Nothing that’s really struck me yet.”
“You’ll figure something out. Together.” Mom wiped away another tear. Man, she was going to take the breakup hard. “I just hope I get to see it before…” She didn’t say it, but we both knew what she meant.
I kissed her. “You’ll see it, Mom. I promise. We gotta go. We’ll be back next week for your birthday.”
Mom kneaded her hands. “Samantha, would it be okay if I came along when you look for dresses?”
She sucked in a breath. “Gosh, I hadn’t even thought about the dress yet. But sure, yes. I’ll let you know when I’m going.”
***
Justin’s mother wanted to go dress shopping. For a wedding that wasn’t going to happen. I was quiet on the ride home. “Justin, this is harder than I thought. Your mom’s going to be really upset when we break up.”
His fingers tensed on the steering wheel. “I know. She was really likes you.”
“How long are we going to do this before you tell her we broke up?”
He rubbed the back of his head. “I’m not sure. I’ll have to tell her you dumped me. She’ll never forgive me if I break up with you.”
How had I gotten into this mess? Then I remembered the wedding. “I have to thank you again for last night.”
He cleared his throat. “I enjoyed it too. All four times. And this morning.”
I nearly choked. “I meant the wedding. Carrie was definitely impressed. I just hope she doesn’t call about a sculpture.”
“Oh, right. Yes of course. Well, she had good reason to be jealous. You looked beautiful. Her husband was checking you out. I don’t predict a long marriage.” He pulled into my parking lot and looked at me.
How this man was still single, I had no idea. With just that look I was reliving our night together. Was it wrong to want more from him than a pretend relationship? I was only a receptionist—and not even a good one. I had no ambitions. And I couldn’t cook. Some weekends, I didn’t even change out of my pajamas and I wasn’t a reliable flosser. The dental hygienist sighs throughout my entire cleaning. I was not the type who’d be able to take care of him like his mother hoped. I wasn’t the kind of girl he wanted at all. But he was sitting there with his dreamy eyes, and his delectable mouth—and we ended up in my bed. He was a bit too preoccupied to notice I had equally nice sheets as he owned.
***
Work dragged on Monday; I even let a few calls just ring until the callers just gave up. Justin made me feel alive. My job made me feel like I was dying. My life was stuck in so many ways. I made plans to meet Micki out for dinner after work so at least I had something yummy to look forward to. And I needed to talk about these crazy feelings I was having for a guy I knew was just pretending to like me.
“Guess things went alright at the wedding,” Micki said as she slid into her chair at the restaurant. “Seeing as how you didn’t come home for twenty-four hours. I was just about to choose a picture for your missing person flyer.”
I planted my chin in my hand and sighed. I didn’t even care about Carrie any more. “He’s wonderful. Do you believe in love at first sight?”
She grunted. “I don’t even believe in love, period. You’re asking the wrong girl. My parents are divorced. All three of my sisters are divorced. I tried to break the trend by doing the serial monogamy thing without the pressure of a wedding, but Jared still cheated on me.” She rolled her eyes. “Ridiculous beach romance. He was a beach bum, all right.”
That was the reason she moved back to Springfield—to get away from him. I reached across the table and patted her hand.
“I only called my blog ‘The Bridesmaid Blues’ so people feel sorry for me and keep reading, hoping I’ll find true love. I have no intention of ever getting married. I’m just going to hook up and have fun. So don’t ask me about true love. Sorry, kid.”
I sighed. “I just really feel something for him, Micki.”
She took a long sip of her appletini. “He must be a really good actor. Remember, he’s not really an Australian businessman.”
I sighed. “He’s better than that. He loves his mother so much that we’re pretending to be engaged a while longer for her sake. And he’s got this great idea for a mobile catering company using a food truck for unique wedding venues. Once he gets enough money.”
That caught her attention. “That’s an interesting idea. I’ve been thinking it would be a great business venture to work as a matchmaker for engaged couples. You know, set them up with another couple getting married on the same day to share flowers, decorations and all that. Setting up the same menu with a mobile caterer would cut costs too. My blog is really taking off, but I wish I had money to invest in his idea.”
I sat up straight. I did have money I could invest. “You really think it’s a good idea?”
She nodded. “People are always looking for ways to make their special day unique—and affordable.”
I could barely concentrate on dinner. I had to talk to Justin.
I went to his apartment without calling. When he opened the door, his smile let me know my unexpected visit was welcome. “What’re you doing here?”
I took a deep breath. “I have a great idea. Can I come in?”
He led me to his couch and grabbed us each a beer from the fridge. “What’s up? Are
we going to crash Carrie’s honeymoon?”
I laughed. “That’d be fun. She’s in Fiji. That’s not it, though. I’m interested in making an investment.”
He looked confused.
“I want to use the money set aside for a wedding to invest in your mobile catering business.”
He just looked at me.
“I thought you’d be excited.”
“I’m more shocked than excited. But why?”
I popped up from the couch and started pacing the room. “I was talking to my roommate about it—she’s kind of a wedding expert—and she thought it was a fabulous idea. And I realized I might never get married the way things are going for me. Why not do something with the money instead, and worry about funding a wedding—if and when the time comes. I hate my job. Maybe I could be a partner some day. A business partner,” I clarified. “I could work events with you.”
He just blinked at me. “You’re sure about this? Because I’ve got the truck all picked out. I’m ready to move on this.”
“Yes. We should get some formal paperwork drawn up, but let’s do it.”
He set down his beer, stood up, and pulled me into his arms. “Sam, no one’s ever done anything like this for me.” His voice was thick.
I pulled back so I could look at him. “I believe in you.”
“Thanks. And this is going to make my mother so happy.” He frowned. “How am I going to break up with you now?”
I felt a stab to my gut. “We don’t have to worry about that just yet.”
He sucked in a breath and nodded. “Let me call my lawyer and get the ball rolling.”
And then we ended up in bed again. He might have been my fake fiancé, but everything in the bedroom sure seemed real.
***
I had a bad feeling I was going to get burned when this whole thing with Sam ended. I wasn’t what she wanted, and she’d realize it soon enough. But for now, our supposed engagement and the business deal were keeping my mother happy.
Mom had cried when I told her Sam and I were opening the catering business together. And she was thrilled to spend her time leafing through bridal magazines hoping to come up with suggestions and play a part in the whole thing. When she asked me to stop by on my day off, I figured she was going to bombard me with information on reception sites or wedding cakes. But when she opened the door, the life was gone from her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Her lips quivered as she led me inside, and she folded her hands on her lap when she sat down on the couch. She let out a long sigh. “The cancer’s back.”
Bile slicked my throat. “So we do chemo again. You can beat this.”
Her shoulders slumped. “The doctors give me a fifty-fifty chance. I’m afraid I won’t be much help with the wedding.”
“We’ll push it back. We need to concentrate on you.”
She gripped my arm. “No. All these wonderful things happening to you? It’s the only thing keeping me going. I need that wedding, Justin.”
It felt like a punch to the gut. It was like I was twelve again and Rob Myers had landed a blow square to my stomach because we lost the football championship. “We would have won if your stupid father hadn’t screwed Mark’s mother and gotten kicked off as coach.” Then he’d hit me again while everyone watched, and I hadn’t even fought back, because it was true. Dad did screw up everything. Dad did ruin our season and our family. I couldn’t argue that; I had to take Rob’s beating. But now it was me who’d done the same thing. Mom was pinning all her hopes on a big wedding and it was all my fault. This felt worse than any pummeling Rob could have given me.
I choked back a sob. “I’ve got to talk to Sam.”
***
We had to find a way out of this. My mother expected a wedding, and I wasn’t going to be able to deliver. I asked Sam to meet me at the bar after a wedding I was working Saturday night. I was afraid if I invited her to my place, we’d sleep together again instead of disentangling ourselves from this mess. It’d been a month since we started this whole fake engagement and we were still playing the part—in public and in private. Clearing off the last table in the ballroom, I shook my head, disgusted that I’d let this spiral out of control.
Sam met me in the bar outside the ballroom. Guests were finishing up from dinner and hitting the dance floor. I had a drink waiting for her as she walked up to me. I hadn’t realized it, but I’d fallen for her. She was funny and kind, beautiful and passionate, and she believed in my business plan. She was everything I wanted. But I knew I wasn’t the dream guy she had in mind.
“I’ve been thinking more about the name for your business,” she said. “How about Justin Time Catering?”
I grinned, despite the bad feeling in my stomach. “That might work.” I took a deep breath, ready to give her the bad news about my mother, when a guest from the ballroom walked up. She looked familiar.
“Can I help you?” I asked
“Excuse me, this is going to sound silly, but are you dating Samantha Cooper?”
That’s when it clicked. It was Carrie, from the wedding. Sam’s face went white when she heard her voice.
I swallowed, uncertain what to say.
Carrie spotted Sam, even with her back to her. “Samantha, what’s going on?”
Sam turned to face her, saying nothing.
Carrie’s eyes flicked between the two of us. “I thought you were a big shot Australian CEO. Suddenly, you’re just a waiter—with an American accent?” She stifled a laugh and my stomach dropped. I was a joke; it was true.
Sam pursed her lips and jumped off the stool. She planted one hand on her hip and pointed at Carrie with the other. “You know what? Justin is better than that fake bio we created. He’s smart, he’s creative, and he cares about people. Yeah, I asked him to pretend to be someone he wasn’t to impress you. But you know what? I don’t care what you think. What a waste of energy. I was never good enough for you and I never will be. So what? But at least coming to your wedding and asking Justin to pose as my fiancé proved to me that there are good people like him in the world, and that if I’m lucky enough, one day I’ll have someone like him.”
Carrie covered her mouth, not hiding her laughter very well.
I stood up and took Sam’s hand in mine. I looked at her and felt the tightness in my chest morph into a smile. “Sam, you do have me. I’m crazy about you. Honestly.” I shrugged. “But I know I’m nothing like the dream guy you want.”
Her eyes widened, and glistened with tears. “Justin, that’s not the person I want.” She jabbed her thumb at Carrie. “I only thought that’s what would make her jealous. I thought we’ve just been pretending.”
I slid my hand around the back of her head and pulled her to me, kissing her hard. I stepped back and looked at her. “Did that feel like I was faking it?”
“No,” she whispered. She blinked a few times, then looked at Carrie. “And I’m not an artist. I’m a receptionist, but Justin and I are opening a new company together.” She wiggled her fingers and looked at the engagement ring. “We’re not engaged, but if we ever do get married, I’ll be sure to invite you.”
Carrie rolled her eyes. “I won’t hold my breath. You two enjoy your sad little charade.” She looked Sam up and down. “And your tits are still small.” She walked away and I shouted after her, “They’re not small, they’re perfect! And hers are real.” Then I pulled Sam back toward me.
Sam blew out a breath and rested her head against me. “I’m not even upset. I don’t even care what she thinks. I only care what you think.” She laughed. “How incredible. Thank you.”
“I need to tell you something.” I knew my voice sounded serious.
Her smile fell and she pulled back. “Oh, no. What now?”
“My mom’s cancer came back and she’s desperate to get this wedding underway.”
Her face paled and she nodded. “I should give this back. So you can tell her the truth.” She twisted the ring on her finger, but didn’t take it off.
<
br /> I felt that same punch to the gut Rob had delivered. But this time, as resignation slid through me like I deserved what was coming, something inside me shouted, no. I wasn’t going to let that feeling rule me this again. I was done feeling like I didn’t deserve anything good in my life. I looked at her and held out my hand. “I do need it back.”
Her eyes flicked away from mine, and she took off the ring with a shaky hand.
I looked at the ring and remembered what it had meant for my mom; what it had meant for me and Sam, if only for a very short time. Why did life have to be about suffering and hurting and constant disappointment? If Sam had taught me anything, it was about taking risks, and chasing dreams. Sucking in a deep breath, I dropped down to one knee. “This might sound crazy, Sam, but I don’t want to give you up. I love you. Will you marry me? For real?”
Her jaw dropped and tears fell and I hoped that was a good sign. Then she nodded yes. I jumped up and slid the ring on her finger and hugged her. After several minutes of kissing and crying, I said, “It’s just too bad we used all your wedding money on the catering company. Maybe we can save up enough in a year or so.”
She kissed me, salty tears tickling our lips. “No way. I’m not waiting that long. And neither is your mother. I’d give anything for my mom to see me married. Your mother deserves that gift.”
I hugged her tighter, wondering what I’d done to deserve the kind of luck that had brought her to me.
***
I wasn’t sure if Micki was going to kill me or not, but I passed her the wedding invitation as we were sorting through the mail. “Hope one more’s not going to kill you,” I said.
She sighed. “I hope this isn’t from another blog reader. Strangers keep inviting me.” She ripped open the invitation, scanned the information, and it slipped from her fingers. “Is this for real?”