“Okay.”
“Great.”
Something changed in his expression, a strange look in his eyes. “Tell her...tell her I said hi.”
She clutched the computer more tightly to her body, and tried to ignore the strange wave of sadness that crested and crashed over her. For him. For her. “I will.”
* * *
She shut the door to her new room behind her and took her phone from her bedside table. She clicked on the text her sister had sent yesterday and hit reply.
You ok?
She paced, the phone in her hand, and when it buzzed, she jumped a little before looking at the screen.
I’m good. Is Jax ok?
Her sister’s nickname for Ajax always made Leah bristle a little. Perhaps because it was a reminder of their special relationship.
He’s ok. Leah sucked in a sharp breath and typed the rest of the message. He married me, BTW.
She winced and hit Send. Then waited. Her sister’s response came quickly.
Holy crap. Just saw it on Google.
Leah waited for more. For anything, but there was nothing.
So she started a new message.
You’re happy? You didn’t love Ajax did you?
Her phone pinged.
Not like that. Not the kind you need to marry a guy. You know?
Do you love Alex? Leah sent the message.
The reply took longer than the ones before. I need to be with Alex.
No declarations of love. Or even of happiness. It made Leah feel heavy
You’re really okay?
I’m tougher than you think.
If anyone asks—Leah stopped typing and thought for a second before continuing—tell them that you and Ajax were marrying for the company. Tell them we fell in love and you let us get married.
Why?
Leah blew out an exasperated breath.
For his pride.
Tell him I am sorry. And I’ll tell the press and curious people whatever you want. I have my own problems to deal with.
I’ll tell him. And he says hi. She hit Send on it before she could delete the last part. She almost wanted to. Almost wanted to hide that bit of his vulnerability.
Thanks. I don’t know when I’ll be back. There are things that I need to take care of. I love you.
Leah sighed. Me too.
Leah threw her phone down onto the bed and let out a long growl. She noticed her sister did not return Ajax’s hi. Which she found annoying, for no good reason. She was trapped between feeling protective of him and feeling angry at him, and somewhere between that, she was just mad for herself. Upset about the entire situation.
Well, there was no time for that. It didn’t matter how she felt, not right now. She took a deep breath and stalked over to her closet, which had been all arranged for her over the course of the day by Ajax’s very helpful staff.
Nope. No sulking allowed. She had a dress to choose, and she had to look appropriately amazing. She had to get her mask on. Because no matter the story, she was still going to be Ajax Kouros’s backup bride.
Because it was going to be a high school flashback all over again. Instead of Who Wore it Better? It would be Who Hung on Ajax’s Arm Better?
Hmph. She was done with this.
If she had anything to do with it, she would be Ajax Kouros’s fabulously sexy backup bride, who didn’t flinch against the flashbulbs, or the comparisons. She only hoped her defenses held.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE WOMAN WHO walked downstairs to greet him that night was an entirely different woman from the one who had been on the couch in the study earlier.
Frizzy, mahogany curls had been tamed into softer waves, whiskey-colored eyes were lined with dark makeup, making them glow. And unlike her T-shirt and sweatpants, her black dress didn’t hang off her curves. The one-shouldered, Grecian-inspired gown molded to her curves, revealing no skin but giving everyone an insight into the figure beneath.
Her lips were painted cherry-red, the perfect accent to a showstopping ensemble. She was playing her part well. She looked every inch the woman in love, the woman trying to appeal to her new husband.
It wasn’t just the clothes that made her seem different. It was the way she looked at him. Or rather it was the way she didn’t look at him. Her chin was tilted up, her expression cool. Haughty. Always Leah Holt had looked at him with a special glitter in her eyes. No one else had ever looked at him that way. No one else had ever smiled at him as she had, with open affection and warmth. No one else had ever left chocolate on his desk, just because.