Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

How about breakfast at the Lucky Diner? In my experience, a full breakfast that included eggs, bacon, and pancakes was the best remedy for a hangover, after water and pain reliever.

I fully expected her to say no, but she texted back, Give me an hour.

Halle-fucking-lujah. I jumped out of bed and into the shower. Three quick hard strokes with the memory of Holly’s tits bouncing and pussy squeezing my dick, I came over the shower wall. I washed, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and combed my hair back. Then I grabbed a bottle of pain reliever and some ribbon from my teacher’s art stash tying a bow around it and then rushing off to my car.

Of course, like a silly teenage boy with his first crush, I was there early, but I was able to get us a booth in the back corner.

When she walked in, I couldn’t help but grin. She wore sunglasses, probably to avoid the bright light. Her strawberry red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, with little wisps escaping. She was pale, but those freckles were still there. She was fucking adorable.

I stood as she arrived to help her into the booth. “You look great.”

She looked at me and I imagined behind those shades she was glaring at me.

I grinned. “I look great too, huh?”

She gave her head a shake, but I noted the slight smile as she scooted into the booth.

“Hey Ms. St. James,” the young waitress said as I sat down on the other side of the table.

“April, how are you?” Holly said, removing her glasses. She had dark circles under her eyes.

“Good.” She looked at me and smiled. It was a smile I knew. One that said, “He’s cute. I wonder if he’s taken?” At least that’s what Brooke had said that smile meant whenever we were out and a woman showed interest in me.

“April, this is Mr. Marshall. He’s the new fifth grade teacher at school. This is April Zane. She was a student of mine. You’re now at college, right?”

“Yes. Salvation Community College. I hope to transfer next year to University of Nebraska in Lincoln.”

“What are you studying?” I asked.

“Psychology.”

“I was a psych major,” I said. “Made me crazy.”

She laughed. “I often get whatever psychosis we’re studying. So, what will you have?”

I motioned to Holly to go first.

“Coffee for sure. And oatmeal.”

“Oatmeal?” I made a gagging noise. “She’ll have eggs and bacon, the greasier the better. And pancakes. I’ll have the same.”

April looked at Holly with a raised brow as if to ask if that was okay.

“Trust me. It’s the cure for what ails you.”

Holly shrugged. “Sure.” When April walked away, she said, “If I puke it all up, it’s your fault.”

“Here, I brought you a present.” I pulled the bottle of pain reliever with a bow on it out of my pocket. “Take two and drink that water. Drink mine too. Between that and the food, you’ll be good as new.”

“You seem to be an expert at this.”

I grinned. “It wasn’t that long ago I was in college.”

She frowned and looked down. “I know.” She said it so low, I decided not to respond.

“I have to admit, I’m a little surprised that you agreed to come after last night,” I said.

She inhaled and then exhaled a long breath. “We needed to talk about that.”