So Wrong (Heart of Hope 3)

Of all the things that had come out of his mouth over the last few minutes, that one hurt. It was a reminder that he wasn’t attracted to me.

He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Fuck. I’m sorry. I just—”

“Yes.”

His gaze shot to mine. “What?”

I didn’t know what I was doing. “Yes, I’ll marry you to help you keep Maisie.”

He let out a long-relieved breath that held solidify my decision. I loved him, and just like he’d do anything for Maisie, I’d do anything for him, including marry him to help him win a custody case.

14

Dylan

I was relieved that Tessa agreed to my crazy plan, and at the same time, I felt guilty asking her to get involved in something so questionable. I didn’t know if it was against the law to get married simply for a custody case, but it was deceptive, and I hated asking her to lie not just to court but to her friends and family as well.

When she’d said yes, I followed up with details that should have made her change her mind. Details such as, she needed to tell her parents and invite them to the wedding so it seemed real. Same with her friends. I emphasized how we needed to act like a real couple and spend time together in the community.

I meant what I said about not touching her, because I didn’t want to hurt her like I had before, and yet if we played married, we’d have to appear to be in love when others could see us. I wouldn’t fuck her, but out in public I’d have to touch her like a man in love would.

But as I explained further, she continued to agree to my crazy plan. For some reason it made me feel worse. I really shouldn’t have been asking this of her.

The next day, I invited her over to start the ruse, beginning with telling Maisie and arranging for us to spend the day together like a couple would. We’d also get a ring to help add to the legitimacy.

Maisie and I were making pancakes when Tessa showed up the next morning.

“Daddy and I are making pancakes. Do you want some?” Maisie said, waving her spatula in the air.

“Sounds delicious,” Tessa said. She smiled, but I saw uncertainty in her eyes.

“We don’t have to do this,” I said quietly to her as I poured her a cup of coffee and she sat at the kitchen table.

“I want to. I want to help you and Maisie.”

I set my hand on her shoulder. She jerked slightly, and I pulled my hand away, wondering if we’d be able to pull this off if my touch bothered her.

“Are you sure?”

She looked up at me. “Yes. I’m sure.” She reached out and patted my arm, as if she knew her reaction to my touch concerned me.

With one long look at Tessa to give her a chance to change her mind, I then went back to Maisie, who was pulling the syrup from the fridge.

“Hey Maisie, Tessa and I have some news for you.”

“What?” she said, putting the syrup on the table and then climbing into her chair.

“Well …” Christ. Was I really going to do this? Was I going to lie to my kid? What happened if Maisie got even more attached to Tessa than she already was? This marriage was about helping keep Maisie with me, but at some point, this custody issue would be done. We’d be able to go our separate ways. Would it be hard on Maisie when that happened?

“Dylan, if you’re changing your mind …”

“No. I’m just … it’s a lot.”

She nodded. “We can wait.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t think we can.”

“Can what?” Maisie said, grabbing a pancake off the serving platter and flopping it onto her plate.