From Fake to Forever (Newlywed Games 2)

He muttered another curse under his breath and shut his eyes. Bettina’s feelings were hurt that he’d let his wife work for The Enemy.

Jason was going to kill Avery. Slowly. “It’s complicated.”

She nodded, growing serious. “With your father and I on such bad terms, how could it be anything but? The divorce was hard on all of us. But you don’t have to hide the most important relationship of your life from me. Sure I’m lonely occasionally, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish great things for you. I’m genuinely happy that you’ve found someone.”

Oh, man. Bettina thought he hadn’t told her out of fear she’d be jealous? That wasn’t precisely the sort of “upset” he’d assumed she’d be if she discovered he’d married Meredith in front of an Elvis impersonator in Vegas, while intoxicated. Two years ago, no less.

The Lyn and Hurst executive staffs wouldn’t see his Vegas wedding as a plus, and Avery probably had more fun surprises in store for him regarding when and how she’d drop this marriage bombshell to others.

Damage control needed, ASAP.

“Thanks, Mom,” he interjected smoothly. “And for the record, Meredith is only working at Hurst temporarily. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you she was my wife when I asked you for the recommendation.”

At least he didn’t have to lie to preserve his mother’s feelings. He wasn’t hiding Meredith from Bettina by placing her at Hurst. But she needed to understand that his marriage wasn’t going to last much longer. Before she started naming her imaginary grandchildren.

He had a feeling this news was not going to go over well. Bettina would be very disappointed that her son wasn’t happily married after all. How had he gotten to this place?

“Mom, Meredith and I, we’re not—”

“Oh, don’t say you’re not interested in dinner. I’m dying to meet my new daughter-in-law. I want to hear all the wedding details. And you’re really horrible for not taking her on an extended honeymoon. Be sure you make that up to her.”

New daughter-in-law? Was it possible Avery didn’t actually spill the whole story? Or even better, perhaps Avery didn’t actually know the full story. There was still a possibility of salvaging this situation. “Please, Mom. I do not now, nor do I ever, want you to explain what you think I should do to make it up to her.”

Bettina laughed. “Let me take you to dinner. Are you free tonight?”

“We had plans to get takeout.”

“Then it’s settled.” She leaned in and took Jason’s hand in hers. His mother’s skin felt paper-thin and prominent veins stood out against her wrinkles. When had she aged so much? “I worry about you. I’m glad you decided to settle down and spend your life with someone. It makes it so much easier to think about retiring.”

“Retiring?”

That word had never come out of Bettina’s mouth. His mother was one of the biggest obstacles to his plans because she’d never approve of merging with Hurst. He’d been racking his brain for a way to convince her to focus on her new swimsuit line and let him take care of the company.

But if Bettina retired...it was a whole new game.

Bettina patted his hand. “Not today. But maybe soon. I didn’t want to consider retiring, but now that you’re settled, I can leave Lyn in your hands with confidence.”

Settled. It had a much nicer ring than he’d have anticipated. Jason’s gut spasmed at the same moment his mind spun in a billion directions. What if he didn’t have to end things with Meredith so quickly?

Instantly, Jason’s vision of the future shifted. He could stay married. And he had the perfect excuse to avoid examining why that was such a great thing.

“You’ll be a fantastic CEO,” Bettina finished with a nod.

Right. That’s what he should be focusing on, not Meredith and her special ability to drive him insane. His mother was talking about retiring and naming him as the next CEO, a huge win for his plans.

If he was already the CEO of Lyn, the merger would go a lot more smoothly, and no one would question whether he should continue to be the head of the newly reformed company.

Because he would be married. To Meredith.

Who wanted a divorce, which he’d conveniently forgotten.

In the mixed-up, crazy place Jason’s life had become, the wife he’d been working to get rid of was now the wife he apparently needed to keep. His marriage had just become very valuable.

Marriage was a tool. He’d always thought so. This was nothing new, nothing different. Meredith knew this and all he needed to do was have a conversation with her about the change of plans. She’d handle the curveball, despite the fact that he’d told her a few hours ago he’d sign the papers.