From Fake to Forever (Newlywed Games 2)

He pushed into the room, ignoring her protests, and went straight for the minibar. A fifteen-dollar shot of Jack Daniel’s sounded like a bargain. The liquor slid down his throat and soothed his temper enough to allow a response. “That comment was directed at both of us. We’re apparently only capable of insulting each other and I’d like to find a way to get past it.”

She planted herself an inch from him, fists at her hips. “And I’d like a divorce. Maybe we can trade.”

He threw up his hands. “Yet you stormed off from the gala when all I was trying to do was get us to the divorce faster.”

Something shiny glinted in her expression and he did a double take. He’d never seen Meredith cry. She was a woman of many extremes, but sadness wasn’t one of them. It threw him for a loop. His first response was to pull her into his arms and murmur nonsense into her hair.

She stiffened for a second and then liquefied against him, her arms snaking into place at his waist. Her head tilted against his shoulder, resting in a groove that had been waiting for her to fill it. Sniffling, she let him cradle her and the tension eased.

He pulled back so he could look into her eyes, the only way he knew to assess a person. The tears were still there, but she had a little of her normal snap back, too. His heart slowed.

“I don’t pretend to be good at relationships, and we’re not even in one. But obviously I’m messing up whatever it is that we’re doing here. Can’t you give me some clues what I’m doing wrong?”

She sighed and slipped from his embrace, which grew cool far too fast. Surprising how quickly he’d gotten used to her heat.

“That’s just it, Jason. I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. This is who you are and I’m not above admitting I’m bitterly disappointed.”

“Wait a minute.” The buzzing in his ears didn’t clear even with a hard shake of his head. “You’re disappointed in who I am?”

Meredith evaluated him for a long, tense moment. “The man I met in Vegas wasn’t so cold and calculating. He was passionate and open and I loved being around him.”

She crossed to the bar and found her own fifteen-dollar shot of Jack Daniel’s.

“He was also confused and misguided,” Jason added. And that guy had been heavily under the influence of Meredith’s seductive power. “I’d like to think you helped get me to the place where I am now. I owe you a debt for that, as a matter of fact.”

She rolled her eyes and splashed Sprite in her highball along with the amber liquid, then downed it in two gulps.

“Great, so I get the credit for turning you into a zombie.” She plunked the glass down and pierced him with her still-shiny gaze. “You want to know what Avery said to me? She asked me to work on a special project with her. After hours.”

Elation warmed the cold place Meredith had left behind. “That’s fantastic. It’s perfect. You play your cards right and she might start to trust you. You can cozy up to her and get far more information about her plans.”

“It’s not perfect!” She poked a finger in his chest. “It’s not even for real as best I can tell. You know why she asked me to work with her? She’s keeping me close because she can’t figure out my angle. I’m from Houston and have a background in bridal design. What am I doing horning in on New York couture, she asked.”

Inwardly, he winced. They should have thought of a good cover story. Too late now.

“It’s a logical question.” How had Meredith figured out Avery’s motivation so quickly?

He cursed as it dawned on him that Avery might be aware of his relationship with Meredith. Was that the reason behind the offer? “What did you tell her?”

Meredith was smart and quick on her feet. Their plans could still work.

“I told her exactly what she wanted to hear. Because I did not want to mess up a golden opportunity. The goal is for me to help you, right?”

“Of course. So thanks.” Why did it sound like the incident had upset her?

She muttered a very unladylike curse. “Geez, Jason. You don’t get it. I’m standing there listening to her talk and all I could think about was how the two of you are exactly alike. Cold-blooded and only interested in one-upping each other. And both of you are thrilled to use me to do it.”

“I’m not using you,” Jason protested instantly. He and Avery were not alike. He always used a situation to his advantage, but he wasn’t taking advantage of Meredith. “We have a deal. You get something out of it, too, and I wouldn’t even have the divorce to use as leverage if you hadn’t allowed the papers to get filed.”