Catch Him If You Can

by Jennifer Shirk

  She stood abruptly. “I better get going. I need to call Milena and tell her we’re on for Wednesday and finalize the details.”

  “Okay.” Wade stood, too.

  “Good,” she said, but they both didn’t move.

  He glanced back at Judy working the counter. “This is where I kiss you goodbye,” he whispered.

  Kiss? “Oh! Right!” Duh. Of course her fiancé would kiss her goodbye. It was a perfectly natural thing to do. Yet…not. Hence, her body remained planted where it was.

  Wade scratched his nose and chuckled. “I like a fiancée who plays hard to get.”

  Before she could inform him and his ego that she was doing no such thing, his lips pressed against hers with delicious warmth. Unfortunately, he pulled back just as quickly. “I’ll see you Wednesday,” he told her.

  He grinned, and she felt some of her bones liquefy on the spot. “Right. Wednesday.”

  With a nod, he turned and left, leaving her standing in a stupor.

  She was in such a daze she didn’t hear Judy sidle up next to her until Judy placed a hand on her shoulder.

  “Would you like another latte?” Judy asked. “I’m sure it’s cold by now.”

  With the way Wade had just raised her temperature with that goodbye kiss, the last thing Arden wanted was hot coffee. What she really needed was to go outside and stick her face in a snowbank.

  Arden slowly shook her head. “Thanks, Judy. But it’s perfect the way it is.”

  …

  “Remember, don’t speak unless spoken to.”

  Wade rolled his eyes as he parallel parked his truck. “Got it, Mom.”

  “Listen, I’m trying to make this as easy as possible for both of us,” she said, applying her lipstick. “Less chance of getting our stories mixed up. If you let me do all the talking, we’ll get through this interview without anyone finding out the truth.” She dropped the lipstick tube back into her purse and turned to him with raised eyebrows. “Got it?”

  He had to bank down a smile. Arden was a true professional and 100 percent game day ready. He remembered her being a bit headstrong as a teenager, but as a grown woman, she now knew exactly how to not only lead, but to also delegate. He found it extremely sexy. Along with that bright-coral lipstick she’d just put on.

  “Wade?” she said with a frown.

  He blinked.

  Damn. She’d asked him a question. He quickly turned away and cut the engine. “Got it.”

  She placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Hey, you’re not mad at me, are you?”

  Just mad at myself for having so little self-control. He forced a grin. “Not at all. You have a lot at stake. I don’t want to mess that up for you.”

  He got out of the truck and walked around to open the door for her. When Arden stepped out, he couldn’t help noticing her toned legs beneath that skirt and wished with all his might she’d worn her usual dress pants. Keeping his thoughts in the friend zone was hard enough when they had been just friends, but now having to pretend to be an engaged couple was wreaking havoc on his mind.

  He held out his hand. She took it and they walked into the Something New dress shop. Milena rushed over and was the first to greet them.

  “Yay, you’re right on time!” she exclaimed, giving Arden an air-kiss on the cheek. She turned to Wade and beamed. “Vance will be here shortly. We’ll do some pictures together here, then once he arrives, we’ll send you guys on your way to the tux shop. It’s right next door.”

  A woman with gray chin-length hair, who looked to be in her sixties, came up to them with a microphone and tape recorder under her armpit. “Hi, I’m Barbara Sterling with People Places magazine. You must be Arden and Wade.”

  Arden shook the woman’s hand and sent her a professional smile. “Yes, nice to meet you.”

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Barbara said, holding up the recording device. “I take notes, but I also like to record the interview just in case I forget something later on.”

  Arden glanced at Wade. “I’m fine with it, if Wade is.”

  “Great,” Barbara said, turning on the recorder. She pulled out a notebook and pencil. “While we’re waiting for Vance, why don’t I ask you a few questions? Any official wedding date set yet?”

  Arden squeezed Wade’s hand as if to remind him to let her do the talking. “Uh, not quite. We’re still figuring things out.”

  “Really,” Barbara said, cocking her head. “Nothing you’re aiming for?”

  “If I had my way, I say December,” Wade chimed in, tossing an arm casually around Arden’s stiff shoulders. Good Lord, she smelled like heaven, although different from her usual vanilla scent. More like a field of fresh flowers. He couldn’t resist leaning in for another sniff. “New fragrance, honey?”

  Arden’s eyes widened. “Uh, yes. How do you know that?”

  Yes, how did you know that, dumbhead ?

  He knew. Because lately his body was in tune to everything Arden did or didn’t do. But he tried to play it off with a casual shrug. “Lucky guess.”

  Barbara snorted as she wrote in her notebook. “Oh please. I’ve done hundreds of couples’ interviews over the years. I can spot the phonies from the real deals a mile away.”

  Both Wade and Arden froze. “Is that so?” he asked.

  “Yes,” the reporter said, winking at him. “Men who are in love pay attention to little details like fragrance changes.”

  “Oh, right.” Wade let out a little laugh as Arden sagged into him. “I guess we’re the real deal, huh?”

  Barbara nodded. “Absolutely. So how did you two meet?”

  Arden licked her lips. “Well, we’ve known each other since high school. But we became friends through his sister.”

  “That’s nice,” Barbara said, making notes. “Friendship is an important part of a relationship. Once the looks and sex appeal fade, friendship is what’s left.”

  Wade glanced at Arden thoughtfully. “Yeah, friendship is important.” And up until that moment he hadn’t realized how heavily he relied on his friendship with her. Or how grateful he was for it.

  The reporter stopped writing, then looked up at Wade. “It’s my understanding that you were married before?”

  Wade heard Arden’s sharp intake of breath beside him, but he wasn’t at all surprised by the question. He’d figured a good reporter would have done her research beforehand. And it wasn’t exactly like his prior marriage was any deep dark secret. “I was,” he said in an even tone.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Barbara said kindly. “I’m happy to see love strike twice for you.”

  Arden looked up at him, an apology written in her blue eyes. He smiled and squeezed her shoulder to reassure her. As much as he never wanted to go through that loss again, he never minded talking about it or Miranda. “Thank you.”

  “Did you start off as friends with your late wife as well?” she asked.

  For a split second the question threw him. He’d never really thought about it before. He and Miranda had met his senior year in high school and after some brief flirting, began dating immediately after.

  “Not at first,” he answered truthfully.

  There had never been true friendship per se. Just attraction and respect, then eventually love. He glanced down at Arden—his friend—who’d been listening to him with what looked to be an equal amount of interest, and he realized how truly unique his relationship with her was. And how he’d never want to lose it.

  The door to the dress shop swung open and a tall man with slicked-back hair and aviator sunglasses walked in. “Sorry I’m late, babe,” he said, smiling at Milena.

  “Vance!” she exclaimed, jumping into his arms. “You’re just in time.”

  Barbara clicked off the recorder. “Well, that’s enough of you two for now. We can get some pictures of you all here in the dress shop and then when the guys go look at tuxedos, I can ask Milena some questions about the election.”

  When the reporter turned away to talk more wit
h Milena and Vance, Arden leaned in. “Hey, you did great,” she whispered, tightening her hold on is arm. “A few pictures and some tuxedo measurements, and then you’ll be free to go in no time. I can always Uber home.”

  An odd knot rose in his throat. The truth was as much as he’d made a fuss about coming and doing any pretend wedding planning, he didn’t necessarily want to leave Arden. He really didn’t know what else he’d be doing on his day off besides a little reading and taking Roxy for a walk anyway. However, there was no sense in sharing that information with Arden or anyone. She’d think he’d completely lost his mind wanting to stay at a dress shop with her. No, it was for the best that he could get out of there as soon as possible.

  So he simply nodded. And told himself to be glad.

  …

  Milena stood in front of the dress-shop mirrors admiring the long train on the back of her gown for the fifth time. “Arden, you were absolutely right. This is the perfect dress.”

  Arden and the seamstress exchanged relieved glances. Forty-five minutes of trying on almost every gown in the shop had even Arden’s steel nerves wobbling.

  “You look absolutely stunning,” Arden said truthfully. Milena was going to make one of the most beautiful brides she’d ever seen. “I saw a couple of headpieces that I think would look—”

  “No headpieces for me until you try on a dress yourself,” Milena said, folding her arms.

  “A dress?” Arden’s cheeks grew warm. “I, uh, don’t know. I haven’t thought what kind of style I want yet.”

  Milena shook her finger. “You told me to try every style, because what’s in my head might be different from reality. Besides, I saw you eyeing up that strapless Vera Wang over there. Go try it on.”

  Arden glanced at the dress in question. She had been eyeing it up. She loved the simplicity of it with just the right amount of sexiness due to the form-fitting lace. “Well…”

  “You know you want to,” Milena said with a laugh. “Just do it. What do you have to lose?”

  She smiled. Milena was right. She had nothing left to lose because her sanity up and went the day she’d pretended to have a fiancé. “Okay,” Arden said, walking over to the dress rack. “I try on this dress and then we work on your headpiece.”

  “Agreed.”

  Arden went into the fitting room and quickly changed, loving the feel of the silk gown as she slipped into it. Once she stepped behind the curtain, the seamstress was right there to help zip her up.

  “Oh.” The seamstress sighed. “Very nice. Go have a look for yourself in the front mirrors.”

  Arden gathered up the train of her gown and headed to the front of the store. That’s when they all heard Milena scream.

  The seamstress ran past Arden. “What on earth?” she cried.

  Arden wasn’t far behind and had expected to at least see Milena held at gunpoint. But there was no gunman. Just a man—Wade—and his glasses were missing.

  “Wade,” Arden said, looking then to Milena who was hiding behind a mannequin. “What happened?”

  Wade blinked, then bent down to retrieve his glasses from the floor. “Milena freaked out when I walked in.”

  “I’m sorry,” Milena said, still hiding, “but it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress.”

  Wade held out his glasses to her. “Uh, maybe you need these. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not your fiancé.”

  “I know that.” She sniffed. “I thought Vance was behind you.”

  “Vance is still at the tux shop. I just came over because I have an emergency at the clinic and I need to leave now.” Wade put on his glasses and then turned to Arden. “I’m so—”

  Arden frowned. “You’re so…what?” Then she saw him close his mouth and open it again as his gaze traveled down her body. She self-consciously ran her palms over her hips. “Milena wanted me to try this on. What do you think?”

  After a few seconds, Wade finally looked up. “What did you say?”

  Milena jammed a hand on her hip. “She wants to know if you like it or not.”

  “Like what?”

  “The dress,” the seamstress chimed in.

  Wade didn’t take his dazed eyes off Arden. “It’s…good.”

  The seamstress huffed out an indignant breath. “Good? We didn’t ask you to taste it.”

  Wade definitely was out of his element here. She took pity on him, and herself, because she was starting to feel a little dazed, too. “It’s fine, Wade. I know you need to leave now.”

  Wade visibly swallowed, then walked up and kissed her on the cheek. “Okay. Have fun.”

  “Thanks.” Somehow she managed to meet his gaze. “For everything,” she added.

  He backed out of the store, grinning at Arden, then knocked into a chair. He winced. “Have that removed.”

  The seamstress rolled her eyes, and Arden bit down on a laugh.

  Once Wade left, Milena stepped out from behind the mannequin and sighed. “Well, it’s back to the drawing board for me.”

  Arden looked at her. “What do you mean? You don’t like your dress anymore?”

  “No, I like it. But after that whole scene I just witnessed, I know what I want now.”

  She bit her lip. “What’s that?”

  “I want a dress that makes Vance look at me exactly the way Wade just looked at you.”

  Chapter Eight

  A few days later, Wade walked out of the exam room, whistling.

  It had been a good morning so far and his mood matched it. The cute little terrier he’d just treated hadn’t had anything too serious for his owners to worry about. Only a slight fever accompanying a clogged anal gland. A minor treatment and a few days on antibiotics and the dog should be back to his frisky self.

  He slid the chart over to Becky at the reception desk and then resumed his whistling, about to pick up another patient chart.

  “All right,” Becky said, crossing her arms. “Who are you and what have you done with Dr. Roberts?”

  Wade glanced up. “What are you talking about?”

  “You,” she said pointedly. “First, you’ve been coming in smiling these last few days and now you’re whistling. You’re whistling the theme from Star Wars, but still. It’s all so strange. Does this have anything to do with a certain wedding planner?”

  Wade blinked, then placed the folder down on the desk. “You mean Arden?”

  “Of course I mean Arden. Are you dating another wedding planner? I love seeing you so happy.”

  Wade frowned. “What are you talking about? I’ve always been happy.”

  Fairly happy.

  Well, he could admit he’d been a lot happier since the merry matchers had been off his back. Plus, he and Arden had settled upon a nice, easy routine of meeting up at the Drip N Sip for coffee in the mornings before work, so Judy and anyone else in town could see them together. He’d even started looking forward to it. Arden was so different from his gentle Miranda—not that it was a bad thing. He admired Arden’s forwardness and he enjoyed her sense of humor. And for all her teasing of his studiousness, she had a pretty sharp mind herself.

  Becky threw her hands up. “Okay. Whatever you say, Doc. Sorry I mentioned it.” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, and by the way, not to kill your happy mojo right now, but Violet Jenkins was in earlier this morning.”

  At the mention of Happy Paws Shelter’s newest board addition, his stomach clenched. “What did she need?”

  Becky shrugged. “She just asked a lot of questions, then left.”

  “What kind of questions?”

  “Routine questions about the shelter mainly. Although she did ask a few about you and Arden, too. Wondering if Arden came here to see you at the clinic and how long you’ve known each other. If you ask me, that woman has a thing for you. But don’t worry. I made a point of telling her how happy you were with Arden just in case she had any ideas that you were still available.”

  “Yeah…thanks.” Wade scratched his head. He hoped
Violet’s questions really were only routine and there wasn’t anything more to it than that. But just in case, he’d better call Arden and give her a heads-up. “Tell Jane to put the next patient in the open exam room. I need to make a call and then I’ll be right in.”

  “Will do, boss.”

  Wade walked back into his office and closed the door. He pulled out his cell phone and immediately called Arden.

  She answered on the second ring. “Well, well. Color me surprised. The texter has actually become the caller,” she said in way of greeting.

  He couldn’t help but grin. “Well, like you said, a call is warranted when there’s an emergency.”

  Arden’s tone lost all humor. “Oh no. What happened?”

  “Nothing. Yet. I just have a funny feeling about one of the new board members of the shelter. For some reason she’s not too keen on me being engaged. Maybe she’s a little jealous of you. It’s made me realize we don’t see enough of each other and I’m suddenly feeling a little neglected by my fake fiancée right now. Can you visit today? Just in case she stops by the clinic.”

  “But I’m busy. Working. And I just saw you this morning for coffee.”

  He felt an unexpected flash of annoyance. He understood not wanting interruptions, but was it such a hardship to be in his presence more than once a day? “Well, you’re the one who lectured me on making sure we looked convincing. To play the part of a devoted fiancée, you should be clamoring to spend as much time with me as possible.”

  She heaved a dramatic sigh. “If I must, I must.”

  “Good. In fact, we should be having lunch together more often, too.”

  “Okay.”

  “Like today,” he blurted.

  “Today?”

  “Yeah. Um, you know, to make our story look good. And you should call me more often at work, too. At least three times a day.”

  “Three times a day? Wade, you do realize I own a business, right? And so do you! Neither of us has time for that.”

  “My thinking is people would expect you to make time out of the day for your fiancé. No job is more important than love, because in the big scheme of life, it’s the ultimate payoff.”

  “Oh yeah? Well, my thinking is you’ve been reading too many fortune cookies. And by the way, the phone goes both ways. You can call me, too. What kind of one-sided fake relationship is this?”