Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

She smiled. “I’ll drink and wallow with you.”

“What about Mo? You have your happily ever after. You should embrace it.”

Her eyes narrowed and I realized my words gave something away. “Did something happen?”

I turned away and went back to my spot on the balcony and grabbed my bottle. A few minutes later, she joined me in the other lounge chair with a glass that she held out to me. I poured her a small finger, hoping she’d drink it and leave.

“So, spill the tea, Tucker.”

I took a long swig of my whisky, savoring the burn as it flowed down to my gut. If only it could burn away the pain.

“Holly told me I’m too young for her today.”

“God, what is it with people?” She reached over and took my hand. “Don’t give up. Mo finally realized that age was just a number.”

I shook my head. “Mo loved you and that’s what helped him get over the hump. Holly doesn’t love me.”

“I don’t believe that.”

I pulled my hand back.

“Did she tell you she didn’t love you?”

“She told me she’d cared for me. I told her I’d loved her and she said nothing. Then she walked out and had a good laugh with her friends.”

“Not laughing at you?” Brooke looked at me with a horrified expression.

“I don’t think so. I don’t know. The point is, she’d once again emotionally ripped me apart and then was off having a party with her friends. That’s not love.”

“I’m sorry, Tucker. I really am.” She sat for a moment. “But I don’t buy it.”

I looked over at her, wishing she’d finish her drink and leave.

“I saw her with you. She had feeli

ngs. She’s probably just hung up on the age thing. You can’t give up. Not if you love her.”

I shook my head. “Why? From the moment I came to this town she was putting up roadblocks. At some point I need to heed the road signs and move along a different path.”

“She’s just afraid. Can you blame her? I mean there she was, in her dress ready to have the greatest day of her life, and her fiancé just never showed. That can take time—”

“I’m not Rick.” I yelled out. I looked over at her. “And what about my feelings? She told me twice that it was just sex for her. I gave her everything. She gave me nothing.”

Brooke thankfully stayed silent. Finally, she said, “Well then she’s not worthy. But I can guarantee that she’ll regret it. When she does, if she had the guts to come back to you, will you listen?”

My jaw tightened. “I’ll listen.”

“But you won’t take her back.”

I looked at her. “She can’t get beyond the age thing and that’s the one thing that won’t change. How old is she anyway?” I never even asked. I knew she was older, but it wasn’t like it seemed a huge difference.

“Mo said she was a couple years behind him in school, so thirty-seven or so, I think.”

“Thirteen years.” I mulled it over trying to decide if that was a lot.

“You know, she never struck me as vain, but maybe she’s thinking that in our society, women aren’t considered as attractive when they age. I mean, when you’re thirty, she’ll be forty-three or so.”

“So?”