Stefan glanced at the seat—it didn’t look as if there was any choice but for them to sit up close and personal. Trying for nonchalance, he lowered himself onto the red velvet fabric and waited whilst Holly manoeuvred herself next to him. Under April’s expectant gaze Holly shifted closer to him, the warmth of her thigh pressed against his, and he willed his body not to tense.
‘Right,’ April said briskly. ‘I know the truth, but I’d like you both to act as though I don’t. As if you are on camera.’ Green eyes studied them critically. ‘You need to look more relaxed at being so close.’
Easier said than done.
‘Show you’re comfortable together and that you get reassurance from each other. Like you did when you arrived.’
Stefan blinked as an alarm bell rang in his head; he hadn’t been acting when he’d descended from that plane into Lycander’s heat-laden breeze. No biggie. He’d have clutched anyone’s hand for reassurance when he’d been so stupidly stricken by memories.
‘Let’s get started,’ he suggested.
April ran them through their first meeting and nodded her approval at the end. ‘Good. Now, the next complicated question you’ll need to field is: what happens in a year? Is this wedding just a legal necessity?’
Holly leant forward. ‘We wouldn’t have got married now if it weren’t for the will, because it’s so early in our relationship.’
‘But you went to London a year ago—many would say that is a long time.’
Stefan shook his head. ‘Marriage is way too important to rush into until you’re sure. My father had four wives and he married each of them within weeks of meeting them. I’d like to think I’ve learnt from his mistakes.’
‘Fair enough.’ April nodded. ‘But that still hasn’t answered the question. What happens in a year?’
Holly intervened. ‘Neither of us can predict the future; all we can do is wait and see and assess our relationship then. But...’
‘Obviously we want a happy ending,’ Stefan finished for her.
‘That works,’ April said. ‘But you need to look at each other when you say that. Look as if the happy ending you’re picturing is riding off into the sunset together—not waving farewell in the divorce court.’
Holly exhaled a small sigh and Stefan felt a pang of guilt that he had asked her to do this—go on air and fake a relationship. Without thought he reached out and covered her hand with his.
‘Good idea,’ April said with approval.
He tried to look as though it was all part of the role-play, reminding himself that Holly stood to gain from this too. Guilt did not have to come into play.
‘So, next big question,’ April continued. ‘Are you in love? Holly, you go first.’
The silence went on too long. ‘We’re...um...certainly headed that way...’
‘No, no, no!’ April said. ‘That is not going to work. You try, Stefan. Are you in love?’
Stefan met the green eyes. ‘Absolutely,’ he stated, but even he could hear the false bonhomie.
The green eyes closed. ‘OK. That is going to fool no one. To be blunt, it’s pants, and you are going to have to practise. Given the circumstances, you will be asked that question or a variant.’
‘Fine, we’ll work on it.’ Stefan shifted on the chair. ‘Now, can we please move on to some easier questions?’
April met his gaze. ‘I’m not sure there are many easy questions. For example, you will be asked why you left Lycander. About your relationship with your father.’
Stefan could feel moisture sheen his neck. ‘Then I’ll decline to answer. I’ll confirm what everyone knows: we parted on bad terms.’
No way would he bare his soul or the memories of his childhood for the media to grab hold of. He didn’t even like sharing memories with himself—had locked them away deep inside. And that was where they would stay.
‘And your mother?’
‘I’ll tell the truth about her. That she was a good, loving woman who didn’t deserve the type of divorce that was meted out to her. But I won’t be drawn into a big discussion.’
Next to him he sensed Holly’s withdrawal, a movement of discomfort as if she were about to say something.
April frowned, glanced across at both of them. ‘Is there a problem with that?’