The Romeo Arrangement

Even through the haze of sickness, his gaze drops. His huge body lets out a low melancholy sigh, and then I feel his big, thick hand folding around mine.

“I hope you won’t hate me for this, Grace…”

“Hate you?” I blink at him.

“There’s one more thing I have to come clean about. And it can’t leave this room. Tobin and the boys who helped us today—Grady, Faulk, Drake—they’re the only ones who know. I only told my friends recently so they’d know exactly how to help us.”

“Ridge.” His name falls out of me and I grab his hand. “Tell me. Anything.”

“That fuck who killed my mother, Linus Hammond…he’s the reason I knew how to think on my feet and save your life.”

One Week Later

I’m still reeling.

Witnessing firsthand everything this gorgeous man did for me was a shock.

Finding out he was afraid I’d run off after learning he’d poisoned a monster who could compete with Clay Grendal for Satan’s finest?

After he told me, I buried my face in his chest and cried.

It’s a heavy thing when a man trusts you with his secrets, his life, his all.

And after everything I’ve done, everything Dad went through, right or wrong…I’m in no position to judge him for taking justice into his own hands.

If he hadn’t done it again, if he hadn’t conquered his own trauma with Hammond long enough to face down Clay, I wouldn’t be standing here in this fabulous dress worthy of a fairy tale.

He’s only ever asked for one thing—for me to live—and tonight, I won’t let him down.

I glance at Ridge, shaking my head. “You’re sure about this? The party—”

Nodding, he grins. “Hell yeah, it’s still on. Bebe wrangled most of our guests into coming back after the meltdown last week. We have a whole town full of people waiting to hobnob with the rich and famous. I can’t let Dallas down or the folks from back home. The show must go on.”

I roll my eyes, laughing.

He sounds like Dad, who insisted they get on with it after days of being down at the station, racking his brain for every detail about the Old Town Boys. It’s amazing how my father was reborn, and legally, he’s almost home free.

“Um, about that. Even with the focus on you being Mr. Bigshot Hero Man, don’t you think people will remember the real reason we invited them out here?”

I can’t bring myself to say the E-word.

It has to end, this acting, our sham engagement.

“And? So what if they do?” Ridge asks, mischief sparking in his eyes as he adjusts his tie in the mirror.

I’m so lost.

There’s no reason to continue the charade, besides this party, which the entire town is looking forward to. It’s a social obligation for him, I get it.

The air feels shaky as it enters my lungs.

“Maybe you’re right. The engagement stuff won’t be earth-shattering for most people when they’re sharing the same room with superstars.” I smile, fixing a few loose strands of hair with my fingers.

What’s one more evening out? I’ve been pretend engaged to Ridge for weeks now.

And even if most of the town knows what happened out here last week, they probably haven’t pieced together the pretend part of our relationship.

I shouldn’t worry.

But it just feels different now.

Heck, I feel different, and so does our beautiful little sham.

I have no earthly clue what happens next. Dad and I are free to go anywhere, without looking over our shoulders. With the big bust in Milwaukee a couple days ago, and former Congressman Grendal in custody, the network has to be close to done like Dad insists.

We’re free to chart our own course, free to go anytime.

But that’s just the problem—I don’t want to go anywhere.

I’m dangerously happy here, living a lie so beautiful I never want it to end.

I keep smiling at my reflection in the mirror, full of if-onlys.

If only Ridge loved me.

If only I wasn’t…well, me.

I’m so not the kinda catch a movie star marries. He’s Prince Charming in lethally sexy flesh. I’m a freaking peasant.

Ridge slides so easily into being Mr. Normal that it’s easy to forget. Sure, a wickedly handsome and very loaded kind of normal but…

Normal in his laughter. Normal in his dreams. Everything except normal when he kisses me so hard I start believing in wishes again.

Seeing the show he put on for Clay and his goons reminded me just how good of an actor he is.

Fortunately, I look the part of a princess tonight.

The dress I’ve chosen is royal blue, strapless, and there’s no chance of my boobs falling out.

Yay.

A shudder ripples through me, though, remembering that time Ridge walked in while I’d been trying on dresses not so long ago.

I shouldn’t even dare to want a rerun.

No way.

After tonight, this last big shindig, I have a feeling I’m destined to turn into a pumpkin as far as he’s concerned.