by Vivi Holt
Molly had everything packed into her car hours ago, ready to head back to Atlanta and write her story – among other things. But then she and Tim had wandered around the festival together, and this time she’d enjoyed it more than she ever had before. They’d tried corn dogs and cotton candy, admired the vintage cars, listened hand-in-hand to live music on the main stage. Tim even convinced her to buy one of the floral dresses she’d seen every single year but never purchased. “I hate to say goodbye, Tim, but I can’t ride with you and leave my car and all my stuff in Greensboro.”
Tim pulled her close and kissed her. “I know, and I can’t leave the Hog here either, so we’ll have to drive separately. But I’ll follow you the whole way and stop in at your apartment.”
“To tell me goodbye?” she chuckled.
“Of course.” He raised an eyebrow and his gaze raked over her, making her heart rate accelerate.
She extricated herself from his embrace, climbed into her car and waved to him as he donned his helmet and mounted his Harley. As she pulled onto the road, she glanced in her rear-view mirror, and her heart warmed to see him following at a safe distance. He looked unbelievably hot, sitting low on the bike, the sunlight glinting off his shiny black helmet.
By the time they reached her apartment, she felt the fatigue of having been on the go for three full days, eating fried foods and sleeping in a strange bed. She was very much looking forward to slumping on the couch with a salad or some fruit and falling asleep during a movie.
And she couldn’t wait to see Daisy. It was the first time she’d been away from the dog so long since she’d bought her, and Vicky had promised to faithfully feed, walk and take care of her. But she also knew Daisy might destroy something valuable while Molly was gone. Her heart pounded at the thought and she quickly tugged her suitcase from her trunk and pulled it up the steps to the elevator.
She found Tim already waiting by the elevator door, leaning against the wall with his legs crossed. He grinned when he saw her – a long, slow grin that sent her heart rate skyrocketing once again. “Hi,” was all she could manage.
“Hi,” he replied, then took her and kissed her with slow, delicious passion.
“Mmmm … I could get used to that,” she murmured.
He chuckled. “I sure hope so. Let me take that.”
She handed him her luggage and leaned against his warmth as they entered the elevator and it rose to her floor. Standing outside her apartment door with the key in the lock, she inhaled sharply and squeezed her eyes shut, wrinkling her nose with worry.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I’m worried what Daisy’s done while I was gone. It’s quite possible Vicky has murdered her and made a lampshade out of her skin.”
His eyes widened. “Wow. Remind me to stay on Vicky’s good side.”
She laughed. “I guess I can’t hide from the truth forever. Here goes …” She pushed the door open and scanned the room frantically for any sign of chaos. The light was on in the kitchen, and she peered around the wall to see Vicky buzzing around, humming along to a tune on her Bluetooth speaker. “Vicky, I’m home!” she called, stepping inside.
“Yay, you’re back! I’m so glad! I’m making tacos – are you hungry?” Vicky hurried over, holding her hands in the air so as not to get taco sauce on Molly’s clothes when she embraced her. She stopped mid-hug when she saw Tim and offered him a smile. “Hi, Tim. Fancy seeing you here.” She winked at Molly and walked back to the kitchen. “Sorry, I can’t stop – I’m just browning the beef and making the salad. It’s all happening!”
Tim shut the door behind them as Molly followed her friend to the kitchen. “Tacos sound amazing. I’ve been eating so much fried food, I’m afraid to step on the scales in case I’ve gained five pounds – my stomach is so bloated!”
Vicky studied her through narrowed eyes. “I highly doubt you have – you never gain weight. It’s thoroughly irritating.”
Molly smiled and sat on a barstool facing Vicky. “I missed you. So where’s Daisy?” Nerves fluttered in her stomach. Daisy always greeted her at the front door – it wasn’t promising that there was no sign of her.
“Oh, she’s probably still asleep. I let her sleep in your room, since she seemed so sad with you gone. And we went for a really long run today – she was all tuckered out, poor dear.”
Molly frowned. “Really?”
“Yep.” Vicky grinned.
“And you don’t have anything else to tell me?” asked Molly. Tim walked up behind her and began massaging her shoulders, sending bolts of electricity through her.
Vicky shook her head. “Nope. We had a lot of fun together.”
Molly let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. “That’s great.” She spun around and kissed Tim. “Did you hear that?” she whispered.
He nodded and stroked her cheek. “I did. It sounds like Daisy was a good little girl.”
Molly hurried to her bedroom and found the dog fast asleep on the enormous velvet pillow Molly had sewed for her when she first brought her home. She knelt beside her and stroked her head. Daisy’s eyes popped open and her tail thumped hard against the pillow. Before long she was trotting around the apartment, too excited to stay still, and Molly was laughing and tickling and chasing her.
“I’m going to head home,” said Tim.
Molly ran over, linked her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss. “Okay. Thanks for seeing me home.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So does this mean we’re going steady?” she asked with a glint in her eyes.
He threw his head back and laughed. “I guess it does.”
“Because I’m just crazy for you, Mr. Holden.”
He kissed her, his hands caressing to the small of her back. “And I’m so in love with you, Miss Beluga. Are you free tomorrow night?”
“I might be. What do you have in mind?”
“How about a movie? We never really did the whole dating thing and this time I want to get it right.”
She chuckled. “A movie sounds perfect.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up at six.” He headed for the door.
Epilogue
“I still say you stole that story about the election back in ‘84,” mumbled Ben under his breath.
“What was that?” Stan asked.
Tim rolled his eyes. It never ended with those two – and between the grandfathers it was worse.
“Nothing, never mind. I’m going to play nice for the kids’ sake.” Ben forced a smile.
“You, play nice?” huffed Stan into his glass of punch. “That’ll be a first.”
“Sorry, I didn’t quite hear you,” replied Ben, his brow furrowing.
“Nothing. Just enjoying my punch.”
Tim walked away from the grill, glad to put some space between himself and whatever sniping match was going on between his father and Molly’s. He found her in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on a plate of sushi. “Do you think anyone will eat this?” she asked, one eyebrow up. “I’ve never made it before, but I love it.”
He frowned. “I’ll eat some – it looks delicious to me.” He didn’t tell her he’d never eat a piece of raw fish for anyone but her.
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, baby, I can always count on you to make me happy.” She winked.
He laughed out loud. “Now that is definitely true.”
“Can you please carry the hors d’oeuvres out to the table, honey?” Mom asked.
He nodded and took the plate from her hands, following Molly out to the porch. They were back at the Beluga residence, the site of the failed party three months earlier. But this time, both families had promised to behave after Tim and Molly explained to each of them what had happened. They were in love, they were dating and they wanted their families to support them and mend fences. Both sets of parents and both grandfathers had reluctantly agreed.
He set the plate on the table, linked his
hand through Molly’s and kissed her wrist. “Isn’t this nice?”
She pursed her lips. “So far, so good. Though it’s not over yet.”
Stuart tapped Tim on the shoulder and handed him a glass of punch, his brown eyes twinkling merrily. “So, little brother – if someone were to ask about you two, what should I tell them? You’re friends, foes, actors in a reality show …?”
Tim chuckled. “We’re in love.”
Molly put an arm around his waist. “And we’re dating.”
Stuart clinked his glass against Tim’s. “Mazel tov.”
“Thank you.” They each took a sip of punch.
Voices echoed from the house – angry shouts, followed by the murmur of heated conversation. “Oh no – here we go again,” muttered Stuart, setting his glass on the table and heading inside.
Tim followed him into the house, sensing Molly not far behind. He’d given Grandpa strict instructions to be on his best behavior, so if the two old coots intended to ruin things like they had last time, he’d have something to say about it.
“You never admit when you’re wrong!” shouted Grandpa.
“Because I’m not wrong!” Frank Beluga thumped his cane on the floor.
“Just admit that you should never have left the Chron the way you did – taking staff and scooping stories and never telling me what you were planning. I counted on you, and you used that trust to shaft me!”
Frank’s chin jutted and his eyes flashed. “It’s business, buttercup. If you can’t handle it, maybe you should’ve given it up years ago.”
“Argh!”
Tim stepped forward. He wouldn’t let things get out of hand again, not if it meant Molly getting hurt in the process – or anyone else, for that matter. But before he could say a word …
“Fine.”
“What’s that?”
“Fine. I’ll admit it,” Frank muttered. “I shouldn’t have left the way I did. I felt bad about it for a long time. But you made things worse with all your spying and cheating …”
“You admit it?” Grandpa’s bushy eyebrows arched. “I’ve been waiting a long time to hear those words.”
“I know it was wrong, but I was such an ambitious young man, I couldn’t see straight. By the time I realized how much I’d hurt you, it was too late. You wouldn’t take my calls, you wouldn’t see me when I came by your office …” Frank shook his head and rubbed his chin.
Grandpa’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I didn’t know you were coming to apologize. I thought you just wanted to rub it in.”
“I know.” Frank sagged against his cane. “I am sorry, Wally, real sorry – I have been for years.”
Tim’s eyes widened and his chest tightened. He couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing.
“Well, since we’re admitting our failures, I’m sorry as well. For everything,” said Grandpa. “I should’ve been paying you better – among other people. But I was too cheap and too proud. And there’ve been many wasted years of friendship because of it.” He reached out his hand, and Frank shook it.
Tim glanced at Molly and saw tears glimmering in her eyes. The rest of the family looked on in as much awe and wonder as he did himself. It was beautiful to see, and his heart swelled with love and pride for his grandfather - and Molly’s.
“I guess we can all admit we’ve been wrong,” Dad remarked.
Tim started, then grinned. It was spreading.
“I’d be happy to start over,” offered Stan Beluga. He shook hands with Dad.
Tim noticed Stuart and Amanda off to one side, looking decidedly cozy together. He chuckled and pulled Molly close, his arms around her waist. He nestled his face into her soft, sweet-scented hair. “It’s a miracle.”
She kissed his cheek and rested against his chest with a sigh. “I’m just so happy.”
“Do you think it’ll last?”
She grinned. “I don’t know. But I have a feeling we will.”
“Oh, I’m sure of that.” He kissed her and the world stood still. Everything he’d always looked for without realizing it stood before him, wrapped in his arms. His heart soared and every nerve ending in his body lit up with warmth and energy, as love and desire pulsed through his veins. “Molly, you’ve changed my life — made it everything I always wanted it to be. I can’t imagine being without you. Marry me and make me the happiest man in the world.” With these final words, he dropped to one knee, holding her hand in his.
She gasped, and a hand fluttered to her heart, her eyes glistening. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
He stood, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as his heart flooded with joy.
A movement on the other side of the room caught his eye. “No, Daisy, no!” Vicky cried.
Daisy ran through the room, an expensive pocketbook hanging from her mouth, drool dripping from the white leather.
“Give it back, dog, or I swear I will tar and feather you!” shouted Vicky, dodging people in her attempts to catch the animal. She grabbed one end of the pocketbook and held on, but Daisy sat back on her haunches, her eyes widening in delight that the game had been joined.
Molly turned to watch, but he cupped her face with both hands, pulling it back until her eyes locked with his, shielding her from the sight of her roommate fighting with her dog. He kissed her, his lips seeking and finding an answering passion in hers, and thanked God for bringing Molly Beluga into his life.
Daisy wrested the pocketbook free and ran from the house, Vicky in hot pursuit. Tim smiled against Molly’s lips and held her close, grateful for everything in his life in that moment, including one very naughty golden Lab.
MAKE-BELIEVE HONEYMOON
Read on for an excerpt from the next book in the series, Make-Believe Honeymoon. Or, buy it now.
Coming soon…
Releasing November 2018
THE BILLIONAIRE’S EMAIL ORDER DATE
A Christmas Romance
When a widowed billionaire email-orders a date to take home to his family for the holidays, he never expects to fall in love.
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SERIES READING ORDER
Make-Believe Fiancé
Make-Believe Wedding
Make-Believe Honeymoon
Make-Believe Husband
REVIEW
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review where you bought it. Reviews help other readers discover my books, which in turn enables me to write another. Thank you! - Vivi Holt
Excerpt: Make-Believe Honeymoon
Make-Believe Series
Private investigator, Callum McKenzie, is working a case that takes him on a Caribbean cruise, but there’s a catch — it’s a honeymoon cruise and he needs a wife.
A former SEAL who ran away to join the navy after years of conflict at home, Callum struggles to open himself up to love. So, when he books a ticket on a honeymoon cruise for a case, he’s at a loss for whom to take with him. He hires someone, based on a recommendation from a friend. But when he meets the petite single mother, Callum has misgivings. He’s attracted to her in a way he’s never felt before, but he’s her boss. Can he keep things professional between them and fight his forbidden feelings long enough to solve the case?
Former beat cop, Jessie Arwens, moved back home to Atlanta after losing her husband. All she wants now is to see her son settled in his new school and to start over as a private investigator. An old friend recommends her for a job with a successful local PI and she jumps at the chance to establish herself. When she meets him, she quickly finds herself caught up in their act. But she’s been burned by love before and doesn’t want to risk her son’s happiness by leaping into a new relationship, especially with the man who’s currently paying her wages.
Cruising through the tropical Caribbean, the two of them uncover a nefarious plot and web of lies as they play
the part of newlyweds in love. But there’s a fine line between make-believe and reality.
Chapter One
“Can I get you something?” The server stood with her empty tray, the drinks previously on it having just been given to customers at another small rustic table in the café’s al fresco dining area. One eyebrow arched, she seemed to be toying with a smile.
Callum McKenzie barely noticed any of this. His attention was fixed on a man in the bank across the street, and he only glanced briefly at the server. “Uh … yeah, coffee – black. Thanks.”
He almost missed her nod, and the look of disappointment that flitted across her young, tanned face before she walked back to the kitchen. It registered with a fleeting feeling of surprise, since he had no interest in flirting, and if he’d had the desire, it wouldn’t be with her. She looked barely out of high school, and at thirty Callum preferred women who were his equal, in experience and every other way. He hadn’t found anyone who met those criteria in a long time.
With a quick look around, he lifted his phone, pretending to play with something on the screen while he took a series of photos. His target was suspected of fraud. The man’s boss was Callum’s client, and this was the moment he’d been waiting for. The target was making what he hoped was a deposit, preferably a substantial one in cash.
But he’d have to wait for the police to get involved to find out more on that score. For now he’d settle for photographs that proved he was the one who deposited the money. With the photos, they’d have enough to get law enforcement interested, and hopefully what they’d uncover would close the case. His lips pursed, he took a few more shots, then slid the phone back into his pocket.