Reluctantly Married

by Lieske, Victorine E.

  “So, Megan, today is your wedding day. How do you feel about marrying Adam, after all that’s happened?”

  The question paired with the look on the woman’s face startled Megan. What was she doing? Was this when she would confess to being a fake? When everyone would laugh at Megan for being so gullible? She gritted her teeth and took in a deep breath. “It’s my wedding day. How do you think I feel?”

  Doctor Lemon laughed. “You’re right, wedding days are full of crazy emotions.” She clasped her hands together and rested them on her knee, studying Megan. “It took you a long time to admit to having real feelings for Adam. When did you realize it?”

  The past few months flashed through Megan’s mind. Honestly, she’d fallen for him on that first stupid date. Watching him eat that macaroni and cheese with his chocolate milk. And then that kiss. She’d been in trouble from the beginning. But she couldn’t say that. “It became clear to me while doing the show that Adam was the one for me.”

  A slight frown crossed Doctor Lemon’s face, but she smoothed it out. “What do you like most about Adam?”

  There were too many things she liked about him. That was the problem. His deep, sexy voice. The way his dimples made the butterflies in her stomach multiply. The way he’d set her at ease for his fake proposal. His knee-weakening kisses. That masculine smell of his—she cleared her throat. Best not to think about those things. “The way he thinks of me first.”

  That seemed to please the faker. “Any plans for after the wedding?”

  Yes. Megan planned on getting as far away from him as possible. She forced a tight smile. “We’re honeymooning here in Acapulco. Then…” she shrugged. “I guess we start normal married life.”

  Doctor Lemon ended the interview soon after. Then they shoved her into a lobby to wait for the ceremony to begin. She knew it was an outside wedding, but that was all she’d been told. As she waited with the camera man for someone to come get her, the door opened and her father emerged.

  “Daddy?” Megan’s throat closed. She couldn’t believe it. It had been over two years. He opened his arms, and she ran into his embrace. He wore a stylish black tuxedo, and his salt-and-pepper hair was a lot more salt than the last time she’d seen him.

  “I wouldn’t miss my baby girl’s wedding.”

  His face blurred, and she blinked back the tears. “I didn’t know they were bringing you here.” Emotions surged through her, constricting her heart. No matter how old she got, or how accomplished she felt, being with her father turned the clock back and she became Daddy’s little girl again.

  “They wanted me to surprise you.” His gravelly voice melted over her like butter. Even though her wedding was a sham, she still appreciated having her father to walk her down the aisle.

  “And Mom?” She held her breath, surprised at how much she wanted her mother there. Their relationship had always been rocky at best.

  His gaze flickered down, which said it all. “She couldn’t come.”

  “More like she didn’t approve.” Megan clenched her hands into tight fists. She’d never been able to earn her mother’s approval.

  Her father patted her on the back. “She tries.”

  Megan glanced at the camera and held in a smirk. Now was not the time or place to have this conversation, so she let it go.

  Her father smiled. “Wendy’s here.”

  A surge of warmth spread through her for her sister. “I’m so glad she came.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Was bouncing on her seat the entire time.” He grinned. “Between you and me, I think she’s hoping to steal Adam away from you.”

  A moment later they were ushered down a hallway, through another part of the resort, and then outside. She gasped. Hundreds of white flowers lined the aisle and hung from a trellis on a small stage where Adam and the minister stood. A few rows of chairs wrapped in blue and white fabric stood on either side of the aisle, and she recognized a few faces. Wendy turned and waved at her, looking like she was about to fall out of her seat with excitement. She saw a couple of her childhood friends and a college roommate. Adam’s father sat in the front row next to a couple of care takers from the facility, a beaming smile on his face. As soon as they emerged from the building, a violinist began playing the wedding march.

  Her father held out his arm, and she grasped it like a life line. This was it. She really was marrying Adam. As she neared him, she could see the dimples on his face, his smile seeming genuine. His clear, blue eyes held a hint of mirth as he took her hand.

  The music stopped, and the minister began the ceremony. The words floated around her, and she stared off at the crashing waves of the sea, trying not to throw up. Adam said his vows, and then it was her turn. Panic gripped her, but Adam’s steady gaze helped calm her down. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, and it helped her focus. She said her lines, and after the ‘I do’s they exchanged rings.

  And then came the kiss.

  22

  There were a few moments in Megan’s life that neared perfection. Walking across the stage to get her diploma. Her first job interview when she knew she nailed it. The phone call when she was hired at KLKX. But none of them topped her first kiss as Mrs. Adam Warner.

  As soon as the minister proclaimed, “You may kiss the bride,” Adam’s warm arms wrapped around her, pulling her near. The smell of his musky cologne sent her heart into overdrive. His soft lips skimmed hers, teasing, sending chills over her, stirring desire from deep within. She responded without thinking, deepening the kiss, pulling him closer. He must have taken that as encouragement because his fingers entwined in her hair and suddenly the world tilted on its axis. Sparks shot through her, and Adam softly moaned. When they broke apart she wondered if the kiss was going to be allowed on national television.

  The audience clapped and they were ushered off for another photo shoot. After a zillion photos of the two of them, they did all the other normal wedding things: the cake—which she successfully smeared all over Adam’s face, the dinner and dancing, and the tossing of the bouquet. All the while, Megan waited for the announcement that would make her look like a fool.

  Except the announcement never came.

  After the guests left, the cameras turned off, and Megan and Adam went to the Bridal suite, it finally hit her. They hadn’t done it. The big reveal hadn’t happened.

  Confused, she locked herself in the bathroom and slipped off her dress. Maybe Leon had changed his mind. A weight lifted from her shoulders.

  The show was over. They’d fulfilled their contract. She and Adam were free to ride out the publicity wave and then get a quiet annulment after everyone forgot about them.

  It wouldn’t be too bad. Adam had already volunteered to sleep on the sofa in their honeymoon suite. And he had assured her he had a nice guest bedroom in his home. They’d just wait this out. She could do that. Right?

  She stared at herself in the mirror. The frumpy sweats and T-shirt she’d brought did nothing for her figure. That was on purpose. She didn’t want to give Adam the wrong idea. She brushed her teeth, then exited the bathroom.

  Adam was sitting on the couch, wearing pajamas and a pair of leather slippers. She about swallowed her tongue. He patted the sofa in a silent invitation to join him.

  She didn’t realize how tired she was until she sat down. The thing with Doctor Lemon must have been weighing heavily on her, because she suddenly felt light and quite comfortable sitting next to Adam. “I think today went well.”

  He grinned. “Just well?”

  “As well as it could have. I didn’t trip over my dress and show everyone on national television my underwear.”

  Adam raised his eyebrow, and a devilish look played across his face. “Why, what kind of underwear are you wearing?”

  She whacked his arm. “You’ll never find out.” />
  He laughed, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You looked tense today.”

  “I was. I really thought Doctor Lemon was going to—” She cut herself off, realizing what she was about to say.

  “Was going to what?” Adam stared at her, a curious look on his face.

  No way was she going to tell him she knew Doctor Lemon was a fake. “You know how she always likes to embarrass me. I wasn’t sure what she’d do on our wedding day. Thank goodness all she did was one last interview.”

  “You should relax.” He motioned for her to turn her back to him. “It’s all over now.”

  She turned, and he began kneading her shoulders. His strong, warm hands sent little electric zings through her, which she tried to ignore. The pressure he applied to her muscles felt so good, she didn’t want him to stop. “Mmm. Nice.”

  He kept going, working his way across her shoulders, up her neck and down her back. “You looked amazing today.” His breath tickled her ear, and she realized how close he was to her.

  She froze. “Um, thanks.”

  “Now, come on. I didn’t mean it like that.” He sounded annoyed at her for getting the wrong impression. “You’re all tense again.”

  “Sorry. I thought maybe you were trying to—”

  “I know what you thought.” He chuckled and continued to massage her shoulders. “Not that I wouldn’t like to seduce you. But I know your rules, and I intend to keep them.”

  She should have been happy about that statement, but for some reason she felt a little disappointed. Mentally shaking her head, she sighed. No, she did not need to be wishing for a physical relationship with Adam. That was trouble wrapped in pain. What she needed to do was hold on and wait for this to all end. “Good. Because you guys are all alike. All the physical fun with no emotional attachment.”

  He stopped mid-knead. “Is that what you think of me?” He turned her around, and when she wouldn’t meet his gaze he hooked her chin with his finger, forcing her to look in his cool, blue eyes. “You have it all wrong.”

  She blinked. What did he mean? As if he read her mind, he continued. “You think I don’t have an emotional attachment to you? You’ve got to be kidding. I’ve shared things with you I’ve never told anyone. These past few months have been…” His voice trailed off, and she found herself holding her breath, waiting for the rest of it.

  His jaw clenched, and he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Those things I said…I meant them.” His voice was so quiet she almost didn’t hear that last part.

  What things? What was he talking about? She tried to ask, but the words stuck in her throat.

  “When I told Doctor Lemon I loved you, I wasn’t pretending.”

  Holy cow. Did he just say that? Her mouth went dry, and she stared at him. Was he for real? This had to be a joke, right? A lame attempt at spending his wedding night doing something other than sleeping on the couch. She whacked him on the arm for the second time that night. “Shut up. You dork. You almost had me.” She laughed, but he didn’t return her smile.

  “I’m not kidding.”

  Really? He confessed his love to her for real, and she told him she thought he was joking? Called him a dork? What kind of an idiot was she? “Uh…” Oh, now she was really showing her brilliance. Why couldn’t she think of anything intelligent to say? What does a person say after showing how amazingly craptastic they are?

  He lowered his head and stared at the carpet. “I’m sorry. I should have told you. I guess I hoped you’d figure it out as we went along.”

  Silence stretched out between them. What was she supposed to say? That she had feelings for him too? That she hated the thought of splitting up and never seeing him again? If she told him how she was feeling, he would think she wanted to stay married.

  But that’s not what she wanted at all. Her career was finally taking off. She had things she wanted to do. Being married wasn’t in her plan.

  Adam lifted his gaze. “Do you not feel anything when we kiss?”

  That’s one she could answer honestly. “Of course. But that’s just hormones.”

  “What about all the time we’ve spent together? Have you not felt anything for me?”

  He might as well have shot her in the chest. A gaping hole opened up where her heart used to be. How was she supposed to answer him? She cleared her throat, hoping for a few more seconds to collect her thoughts. “Adam…” She put her hand on his knee. Big mistake. Tingles spread up her arm, and she removed it like he had stung her. “I like you. I just don’t…”

  She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t finish. It wasn’t only the fact that she would hurt him by saying it. It wasn’t true. She did love him.

  “Stop.” He stood and crossed the room, facing the window. “You don’t have to say it. I get it.”

  “No, Adam, I—”

  “Don’t. Okay?” He ran his hand through his hair. “Just leave.”

  She blinked back the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. How had this evening gotten so messed up? She fled to the bedroom and shut the door, her hands shaking.

  A part of her wanted to go back out there. To pull Adam into her arms and tell him the truth. Another part of her couldn’t handle it, because she hadn’t allowed herself to fully accept the truth herself. She didn’t know what to do, so she crawled into bed and cried herself to sleep.

  Adam stared out the window. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Why had he done that? Things were going so well. Megan was beginning to relax. She was starting to come around, he could tell. Why had he blurted out how he felt about her?

  The minute the words were out, her invisible walls went up. She shuttered her feelings and withdrew from him. He’d scared her away.

  He was an idiot.

  He raked his hand through his hair again. There wasn’t anything else to do. He’d spilled it all, and he couldn’t take it back. Now she would run from him, and he’d be left standing with nothing but a sham of a marriage.

  He crossed the room and flopped down on the couch.

  There’d be no sleeping tonight.

  Megan awoke with a start. She clutched the fabric of her T-shirt. It wasn’t a dream. Adam had said he loved her, for real. That he wasn’t pretending.

  And she had rejected him.

  Her heart hammered in her chest so loud she thought the neighbors would hear. What had she done? Why had she refused to tell him how she felt?

  There was no reason she couldn’t pursue her career and stay with Adam. Why had she been so stupid?

  She flopped back on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Thoughts of Adam swirled through her mind. His face when he’d found out he would have to sing in front of people. The way he had held her when she was terrified on the climbing wall. His kiss yesterday.

  How could she leave him? She loved him. Megan let that sink into her head. She’d been in love with him this whole time. She’d just been pushing those feelings away.

  Why? Because she’d thought he was in this to trick her. So everyone would laugh at her for believing the stupid Doctor Lemon. And then the contract with ABC had come around and she’d thought he was just doing it for the hundred thousand dollars.

  A surge of emotion swelled. But he had said it was real. And the way he’d said it, he was serious. She believed him. And she loved him back.

  She swallowed the golf-ball sized lump in her throat. She had to tell him. She couldn’t let him think she’d been pretending this whole time.

  A thrill of excitement shivered through her. She would do it. Now. She had to.

  On shaking legs, she walked to the door and opened it. A blanket lay on the couch, folded neatly beside a pillow. She peeked around the corner, but the bathroom was empty.

  And that was when she noticed the note.

  23

/>   Megan rushed over to the table and picked up the small folded piece of paper. Her vision blurred as she read the words.

  I’m sorry, Megan. I can’t go through with this. I will contact a lawyer for an annulment. I’m sorry if this hurts your chances to further your career. I won’t say anything to anyone. Hopefully they won’t find out. —Adam

  She rushed to the closet and threw open the doors. His clothes were gone. He’d left. She sunk to the floor and grabbed her head.

  No.

  This couldn’t mean the marriage was over. Not now. Not before she had the chance to tell him. She’d been so stupid. How could she have let him go?

  Her chest tightened, and she blinked away the tears. She had to make this right. She’d hurt him so terribly. Senselessly. Why had she been so selfish?

  Her hands shook as she brushed the moisture from her face. She could fix this. She had to. Shaking, she stood and crossed the room to pick up her cell phone. It was cold and heavy in her hands. She dialed his number and listened to it ring. No answer.

  She hung up and dialed again. Still nothing. Was he blocking her calls? Of course. He didn’t want to talk to her. What did she expect? He had basically put his heart out on a line for her. And she’d smashed it.

  If he wouldn’t take her calls, then the only thing left to do was go home and talk to him in person.

  The noises of the airport were making Adam’s head pound. He hadn’t slept at all last night. His wedding night. He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was not how he planned to spend his honeymoon.

  He’d been hoping the time alone with Megan would be enough to show her how he really felt. The plan had been to ease her into the idea of them staying married. He’d really screwed that up. Handled it like a fool.