I don’t want to delay the inevitable and I’m not one for small talk so I just lay it on the line for her. “I need to take a leave of absence.”
She frowns. “What does that mean?”
I gulp. I didn’t want to get into too much detail, but now it seems unavoidable. “I just got engaged.” I hold up the ring as proof. I’m not sure why I feel the need to prove anything. Maybe it’s because Suzie and I don’t really date all that much.
Penny eyes me suspiciously. “To whom?”
I figure now is as good a time as any to begin my charade. “I met someone at the fundraiser. We fell in love instantly. A love at first sight kind of thing.”
She still looks wary. “Please don’t tell me he’s your soul mate. I just ate and I’d like to keep the contents of my meal in my stomach.”
“Things just clicked between us and we decided to take things to the next level. So I’m moving in with him while he campaigns.”
“Campaigns?”
“He’s running for governor.”
It takes all of three seconds for what I just said to register and for her jaw to hit the floor. “You’re engaged to Drew Graham. The Drew Graham. The man who was here for the fund raising event.”
“That’s how we met.”
She’s shaking her head so hard I swear she’s going to shake something loose. “I can’t believe it. You lucky girl. How in the world did you manage to snag that one?” She looks me up and down. “Never mind. I don’t need to know the details. You must be one fantastic lay.”
I manage to quell my surprise at her comment. I really have no idea what being a fantastic lay entails, but then I wonder if I’ll have to find out.
I wonder if Drew Graham will actually want me to have sex with him. Is that part of the bargain? I have to admit that I didn’t read the fine print before I signed our contract, but just glancing at it I don’t recall seeing anything about having sex with him.
I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I really hope he doesn’t expect that for his hundred thousand dollars. I’m definitely not a whore. I’ve technically never even had sex. I say technically because Suzie and I dated twins when we were in high school. Timmy and Tommy. We fooled around a lot in the backseat of their car, but neither of us actually went all the way with them.
“I won’t be able to hold your job while you’re gone. We’re already short staffed. It’s a bitch trying to find decent help out here in the middle of nowhere. I’m going to have to replace you.” She narrows her eyes at me. “I doubt you’ll need the job anyway. Once you marry Mr. Right-in-Every-Way, you’ll be on easy street.”
Of course I can’t tell her the engagement is a ruse and only a short term thing until the election is over. I just smile and nod. But when I glance over at Suzie she looks like someone just slapped her.
As we walk back to our car she whispers, “I’m not sure I’ll be able to work here without you. I’ll have to deal with our awful boss and the even more awful activities director, Sam Elliot. There will be no one here for me to make fun of them with.”
“You can always text me. We can make fun of them via text.”
She shakes her head. “It just won’t be the same without you.”
I embrace her in a hug. “I know. But it’s a short term sacrifice that will get us several steps closer to our dream.”
***
When Drew mentioned we’d be staying at his family’s lake house I imagined it would be more like a cabin than the mansion in front of me. The place is so large it takes up almost an entire side of the lake with its own private beach. I’m utterly amazed.
“What do you think?” George asks as he removes my bags from his car. He was kind enough to pick me and my stuff up at my apartment and drive me here.
“It’s wonderful,” I say, still in awe of the magnificent architecture and spectacular views. I can hardly wait to see what the lake views will be like from the second floor balconies.
“Follow me,” George instructs.
“Do you want me to take one of those bags?” I ask. He looks like a pack mule weighed down with all of my stuff.
“I’ve got it,” he assures me as I follow him towards the front entrance of the house.
I’m a little surprised that he has a key to the place. “I only use the key when Drew gives the okay. Like now. He’s tied up with clients until late tonight. But he wants you to make yourself at home.”
George holds the door open for me to enter. The place is even more spectacular on the inside, if that’s possible. From the huge chandelier to the Italian marble floors I feel like I’ve just stepped onto a movie set rather than someone’s actual home.
“This is just the family’s vacation house,” he says as he sets my bags down in the foyer. “The house Drew usually occupies is in Bridgewater and his parents’ house is in Princeton.”
I can only imagine what those places must look like if this is their vacation home. My dad’s idea of a vacation home was a pup tent in the backyard.
“Bedrooms are upstairs. Pick any one you’d like. There’s plenty of food in the refrigerator, if you’re hungry.” He hands me a business card. “This is my cellphone number. If you have any problems just give me a call. I’m available 24-7.”
“Thanks,” I say as I try to take in my surroundings. It’s a bit intimidating and overwhelming.
As soon as George closes the front door behind him I pull my cellphone from my bag and dial my sister.
“You’re never going to believe what this place looks like,” I practically scream into the phone.
“You made it to the lake house?”
“It’s beyond amazing. You have to come out here.”
“Now?” she sounds a little hesitant.
“Right now.”
“Okay…”
“He’s not here,” I assure her. “His assistant told me he’s not going to be here until late tonight.”
“I’m on my way.”
It doesn’t take Suzie more than fifteen minutes to make her way over. With her wide eyes and slack jaw I can tell she’s in just as much awe as I am.
Then she looks down at my bags that are still sitting in the foyer. “Why haven’t you put that stuff away?” She’s now eying me suspiciously.
I gulp. “I’m not really sure what the sleeping arrangements are going to be.”
It takes a moment for it to register then she asks, “Do you really think he’s going to want you to sleep with him?”
The way she says sleep I know she really doesn’t mean sleeping.
We both stare at each other for a long moment. I’m sure she’s thinking the same thing I am but she vocalizes it anyway. “Have you wondered why a guy like Drew Graham has to hire you to be his fake fiancée? I mean he’s extremely wealthy. He’s gorgeous. He seems to be quite charming. He could probably have any woman he wanted. What’s the catch?”
I shrug. “I’ve had all of the same questions, but then I remind myself that this is just a business arrangement and that he’s paying me big bucks to be here and not question it.”
“You’re right,” my sister agrees finally. “You may as well enjoy it while you have it.”
To our surprise the front door opens and Drew walks in as if on cue. I can’t help the look of shock on my face and when I glance at my sister I see she’s just as surprised as I am.
Drew looks surprised too as he glances back and forth between the two of us.
“George told me that you wouldn’t be here until late tonight,” I explain quickly. “I hope you don’t mind that I invited my sister over.”
He’s still looking back and forth between the two of us, but I can’t gage whether he’s mad or not.
“It’s fine. I guess I just didn’t realize when you said you had a sister that you’re identical twins. And that you look so much alike.”
“We get that a lot,” Suzie says.
Then Drew focuses his attention on me. “I just wanted to make sure you were ok
ay. I’m going to get changed. My meeting this evening is casual. Did George tell you not to wait up? I’ll be quite late.”
I nod. “He did mention that.”
Drew frowns when he sees my bags sitting in the foyer. “Didn’t George take these upstairs for you?”
“It’s not his fault. I wasn’t sure…um…what the sleeping arrangements were going to be.” I can feel my face grow hot with embarrassment and I’m sure my cheeks are bright red, but it’s something we need to get out in the open. I need to know if he expects me to sleep in the same room as him.
Drew looks at the bags again and then looks at me and realization seems to cross over his face.
“Pick any room you’d like. I don’t expect you to sleep in my room. I hope I didn’t give you that impression.” Now he sounds as embarrassed as I feel.
“No, you didn’t give that impression, but I just wanted to make sure.”
“Separate rooms. Definitely. No worries.”
I breathe a sigh of relief, but to be honest I’m also a little disappointed that he seems so adamant about not sleeping with me. It doesn’t even seem to interest him a little bit.
“I’m going to grab my bags from the car and then I’ll help you take your stuff upstairs. How does that sound?”
“Great.”
Drew must travel light. He’s only got two small bags. He’s a big guy so it’s not difficult for him to grab my stuff along with his bags. But I ask if he needs help anyway.
“I’ve got it,” he insists. “I would never dream of letting my fiancée carry her own bags.” Then he winks at me. The guy certainly oozes charm from every pour of his body. But there’s also something very superficial about it. Like it’s an act: staged and well-rehearsed.
Suzie and I follow Drew upstairs. He stops at one of the closed doors. “This bedroom is the finest, in my opinion. I think it has the nicest balcony and lake views.”
I open the door and gasp when I see the view. He’s right. It’s spectacular.
“I take it this room will do,” he says as he places my bags on the cedar hope chest at the end of the bed.
“It’s wonderful.” The bed looks enormous and very comfortable with a mountain of overstuffed pillows and a fluffy down comforter. I’m already thinking about how luxurious it will feel snuggling up in it.
“I’ll be down the hall,” Drew says as he exits. “Last door on the right.”
I turn to Suzie. “What do you think?”
“I am so jealous right now. Is my face green with envy?”
We both laugh.
“Do you think he has any brothers?” Suzie asks. “Maybe one of them needs a fake fiancée.”
“You’re the one who knows about politics. Don’t you know if he has any brothers?”
She sits down on the bed. “I only know what I overhear people saying when I pour drinks. I never heard anyone talking about any brothers.”
I move over to the glass slider and open it so I can get a better look at the balcony. “You have to see this,” I yell back to Suzie.
“Wow,” she exclaims as she joins me. “I can’t believe you have your own balcony.”
“It looks like all of the bedrooms do,” I point out.
“Too bad he didn’t hire you to be his fake fiancée over the summer. I’d love to swim in that lake.”
“It does look pristine,” I agree.
“Mazzy.” I hear Drew call my name.
Suzie and I hurry back into the bedroom to find Drew now wearing dark blue jeans and a sweater. He wasn’t kidding when he said his meeting is casual. He looks more like he’s going on a date.
As we get closer to him I can’t help but notice the spicy aftershave he’s wearing.
“Do you like your room?” he asks.
“I love it.”
He nods. “I’ll be home late. I just wanted to remind you.”
“Okay,” I say although I’m not sure how I could forget. He’s been very clear about it.
He looks uncomfortable like he wants to say more, but he puts his hands on his hips instead. He stares at me for a few seconds then asks, “George gave you his number? In case you need anything.”
“He did,” I assure him.
“Good,” he replies. I expect him to leave on that note, but his brow is furrowed like he still has something to say.
“Have fun,” I say in an effort to get him to leave. I’m starting to feel a little awkward and the conversation between us is definitely strained.
“It’s a business meeting,” he insists in a way that says that he’s trying to convince both of us.
“I know,” I say innocently, even though it’s becoming more obvious by the second that the guy is going on a date. The only question is why he’s fake engaged to me instead of whomever he’s meeting.
He glances at his watch. “I’d better get going.”
I don’t want to say anymore because I’m ready for him to leave so I just give him a quick wave instead.
To my surprise he leans down and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. Almost as if he’s fulfilling an obligation. Is that what was stressing him out? Wondering if he was supposed to show some type of physical affection before he left.
“Bye,” I say.
He gives me one of his best politician grins before he heads out the door.
My sister and I both stare at each other until we hear a car door slam and the faint sound of his engine fading in the distance.
“That was weird,” Suzie says when there’s no doubt that he’s gone.
“Very. Did it seem to you like he was going to a casual business meeting?”
“Oh, hell no. That guy has a date.”
“That’s what I thought too.”
“So the question is, why hire a fake fiancée when you’re obviously dating someone?”
“That’s a really good question. I’m just not sure I’m eager to find out.”
***
The rumble of my stomach wakes me up. With all of the excitement last night of Suzie and I checking out every inch of the house and using our quick wit and keen detection skills to find out more about Drew Graham and his family, we still came up with absolutely nothing.
But we did forget to eat.
I throw on some yoga pants and a sweatshirt and make my way downstairs.
I gasp when I see the gourmet kitchen. It’s better than the dream kitchen of my wildest fantasy. A cook’s paradise and everything looks brand new. I can’t wait to give the appliances a test drive.
George wasn’t lying. The refrigerator is fully stocked. More food than I could ever possibility eat on my own. For a moment I wonder if I should cook breakfast for Drew as well. Another thing we never really discussed. And it’s not like I actually heard him come home last night. No engine. No car door. No bedroom door. No bathroom noises. Nothing. The place was absolutely silent. I didn’t even hear a cricket.
My gut instinct tells me that he stayed somewhere else all night so I opt to make an omelet for one. I gather mushrooms, red peppers, onions and fresh tomatoes and set about getting the veggies sliced and diced.
Just as I’m in the midst of preparing my mushrooms a young guy with a backpack waltzes into the kitchen.
And he’s not Drew.
I freeze with fear and try to remember if I locked the front door before I went to sleep last night. I’m glad that I have a sharp object in my hand even if it is just a paring knife.
To my surprise the young guy drops his backpack on the floor next to him and stares at me for a few moments. It’s almost like he recognizes me, even though I have no idea who he is.
“What are you doing here?” he asks.
“I think it’s obvious that I’m making an omelet,” I fire back.
He smirks. “I guess a better question is why you have a key to my house and why are you making me breakfast.”
His sparkling green eyes seem to be full of humor and it’s really pissing me off. He’s acting like he owns the place and I’m s
ome sort of intruder when I’m the one who belongs here.
“I’m making an omelet for one and you’re not the one. And I live here for your information. What are you doing here?”
He laughs at me. A big hearty laugh. “You live here? With my brother, Andrew?”
I’ve never heard anyone call him Andrew before. I guess it makes sense, but I never even thought about it.
When the guy has the audacity to plop down on a stool right across the counter from where I’m cooking I have to restrain myself from saying something really nasty. Besides I can’t help but notice how attractive he is when he’s not running off at the mouth. He looks about my age, early twenties, and he’s rugged looking and sexy as hell. He’s definitely a bad boy. If I had to guess I’d say he rode out here on a motorcycle.
I hold up my hand so he can see the diamond ring on my finger. “Drew and I are engaged.”
“Sure you are.” He slips out of the black leather jacket he’s wearing and tosses it onto the stool next to him.
The T-shirt he’s wearing underneath is tight against his large, muscular chest. The guy is extremely well built, but he also seems to realize how attractive he is. There is nothing subtle about him at all. He’s practically oozing testosterone.
“You seem to be making yourself at home, but you still haven’t told me who you are or what you’re doing here.”
“You’re right,” he says, but makes no effort to provide me with any additional information. “Maybe we can talk over breakfast. I love omelets, by the way, and you look like you know your way around a kitchen.”
“My dad was a chef,” I admit. “If you tell me who you are and why you’re here, since you act like you belong here, I may consider making you breakfast.”
“Austin Graham. I do belong here. I’ve got a key and everything.” He removes a key from the pocket of his tight-fitting black jeans and holds it up for me to see. “My family owns this place.”
“You’re Drew’s brother?” I look him up and down in an effort to see even the slightest family resemblance. There isn’t much of one. Drew is highbrow in every way. Everything about him is refined and perfect. Austin is rough around every edge imaginable. He could be the poster child for a bad boy biker club.
Another Mazzy Monday Page 4