Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

I ignored that. “I’d also love for kids to be able to check out e-readers, that offered reading and audiobooks—”

“Audiobooks. They won’t learn to read if someone else is reading.”

That wasn’t exactly true.

“Well they could read along, and also listening can encourage their love of books and stories.”

I continued to review the plans, and she continued to be contrary. I began to wonder if I said up, she’d say down. If I said big, she’d say small. As we worked through my ideas and she shot them all down, I realized it was going to be a long day, and a long project. Tucker said she’d get bored quickly, but it seemed to me the more we went through my plans, the more animated to have her way she became. As she did, I realized that my worst fears could come true. I could be fake married to him for much longer than was feasible. And when it was done, we’d have a library, but I wasn’t sure it would fix all the problems I was looking to fix with this project.

15

Tucker

I generally went through life with a sunny disposition. Not much got me down, and when it did, I could usually overcome it and let it go. But over the last few days after Sinclair’s visit, it was hard to shake the agitation I felt at this situation.

I had no problem respecting Holly’s desire to keep this platonic. What bothered me was that I was so sure she felt more for me but wouldn’t let herself. Holly wasn’t a woman to have sex with a man, much less twice, without feeling something more than just base lust. Why was she fighting her feelings for me? Was there something wrong with me? Was she still hoping her ex would change his mind and come back to her? It was driving me fucking mad.

So, I was already in a usual pisser of a mood when Meredith showed up. Thank God Holly was on her game because I just couldn’t get myself in the right frame of mind. And then when she started with her snooty judgements about Brooke and Mo, I had a hard time not physically escorting her out of the house. I had to keep reminding myself why she was here. Why I was here. Thank God I was able to take a moment to get Meredith a refill of iced tea, although when I got back, they both had a conspiratorial look on their face.

I was happy to do the dishes to get away from Meredith, but I could hear the two of them in the other room. She shot down every idea Holly had. What the fuck was that about? Did she really disagree, or was she just being contrary to assert her power? I really wanted to ask her to leave, but I reminded myself that part of what was giving me this chance with Holly was this stupid ruse to get the library built. That meant I needed to behave. I should probably also get my attitude adjusted.

“I know computers are all the rage but you know in my day we had the card catalogue. Don’t you think kids should learn how to use that?” Meredith said after Holly explained the computerized system expansion she envisioned.

I shook my head.

“Kids still learn the Dewey Decimal Classification system, but they don’t have to use the card catalog. They can search for the book and get the number from the computer,” Holly explained.

“But they don’t know how to use the cards.”

O

h, for Pete’s sake. They don’t know how to harness a horse to a buggy either because of progress, lady.

Unable to stand it any longer I took a breath to settle down enough to not be rude.

I walked into the dining area where Holly had all her papers out. “Honey, remember you said you’d help me take care of that thing.”

“What?”

Meredith actually snorted. “Oh dear, I’ve overstayed my welcome. My mother always said that was the worst faux pas.”

“We got caught up in the project,” Holly said with a questioning glance to me. I’m sure she was pissed that I was interrupting her plans, except it wasn’t her plans that were being considered.

“Yes, well, I know Tucker has been very patient. But you are newlyweds, so let me get out of your hair.” Meredith picked up her purse, and Holly escorted her to the door.

“I’ll be in touch and we can work out some of the issues,” Meredith said.

“Yes, of course.” Holly smiled, but it was strained.

Just like last time, once Meredith was out the door, Holly leaned against and looked like she’d lost her best friend.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t take it anymore. She seemed okay with leaving,” I said.

“She thinks we’re having sex,” Holly shook her head and walked up the hall to her bedroom. I followed her, but didn’t go in. That was her space.

“Why would she think that?” I asked.

“She noticed you were grumpy and decided that along with being a bad wife in the kitchen, I must also be withholding sex.”