Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

She inhaled a breath like she was trying to calm herself. Perhaps she was doing it to try to maintain some civility. She opened the folder, and then her gaze shot to mine.

“What is this?” she demanded, and I realized that, no, there’d be no civility.

Before when she used that tone, I felt intimidated. Now, I was just tired of it all. I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin, ready to take on whatever she was going to deliver.

“It’s for the upcoming public works meeting for the deputy mayor,” I said tersely.

“That’s my job.”

Oh crap. This wasn’t the first time I was unwittingly given something that, in the past, was under Trina’s purview.

“The mayor has felt like you’ve been distracted lately, and of course, with the baby, he wants to relieve you of too much stress. So, he asked me to do it. It would give me experience while taking a little off your plate. Win, win.” I hoped she bought that.

“I don’t need items off my plate,” she ground out. “I need my job. I know you’re trying to take it from me—”

I was right. She was feeling threatened. “I am not. I’m just doing what the mayor asks.”

She stood, her hands fisting at her sides. “I’m about to become a single mom. That last thing I need is for some silly child to try to take my job.”

I stiffened at her referencing me as a child. “And I don’t need a hostile workplace.”

“No, you don’t. I have the resignation paperwork if you want it.”

Realizing this was a hopeless cause, I decided to withdraw before it could escalate. I shook my head and turned to leave, returning to my office.

I felt like crying, but I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction. Or Mo, for that matter. But one thing was for sure, I was done being treated like some naïve, ignorant kid. They both could go to hell if they thought I’d put up with their crap.

I finished up the report and agenda. If Mo didn’t like it, well, too bad for him.

I’d printed off another copy when he poked his head in my door. “I thought you were out for the day.”

I shrugged. “Tucker is getting settled, so I thought I’d come in a finish a few things.”

“Do you have that public works material?”

“Yes, your highness.”

He flinched, and his eyes narrowed. He stepped into my office and shut the door. “What’s wrong?”

Part of me wanted to ignore him, but that would be childish, and I didn’t want to give him any more ammo to use that argument against me. Of course, when I told him my issues, he’d probably think I was immature. Would he decide it was a stupid office squabble if I told him about Trina’s little tantrum? Would he brush off my concerns about seeing him with Shelley since this isn’t a real marriage? I knew he and Shelley didn’t have a great marriage, but I suspected they had a fairly lively sex life. By comparison, I was probably boring since I had no experience. Was this his answer to keeping his hands off me? He’d put them on Shelley?

I shook my head. It didn’t matter what he thought. What mattered was that I was true to myself. I couldn’t let him or Trina or anybody walk all over me. I was good at my job, and I’d made a commitment to this marriage, even if it was a business arrangement. I’d continued to be my best, but I wasn’t going to put up with being dismissed and disrespected.

“I’m sick of all of you treating me like my thoughts and feelings don’t matter.” I stood because I wanted to look him in the eye instead of having him look down at me, where he’d be in a position of power. “I won’t be shit on anymore by any of you.”

21

Maurice

I jerked back, not expecting Brooke to lash out like that. I’d seen her upset before, but there was something different about this time. “No one is shitting on you.” Even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t true. I wasn’t shitting on her, but I was definitely an asshole to her.

Her eyes flashed with pain and anger. “See, you’re dismissing my feelings. Just because I’m young doesn’t mean I don’t have them. I take pride in my work. I meet all my commitments, but to you, I’m a child. No, I’m lower than that. I’m a gnat you simply swat away when you think I’m annoying.”

I wished I knew what the hell was going on. “It’s not my intention to make you feel small or insignificant, Brooke.” My gut burned at the idea I was hurting her more than I’d realized. I was definitely a heel. Lower than pond scum.

She scoffed. “Yes, it is. You use it against me all the time when you bring up how young I am.”

“That’s the only issue with us. Not your work.”