Fake Marriage Box Set

“Wow, I've heard it all now,” Ryan laughed.

“It isn't funny.”

“Dude, you know as well as I do that she isn't sleeping with that asshat.”

I looked at him, and he shrugged.

“Then again, you told her you guys aren't together so... who cares?”

“The thought of another man touching her makes me sick. Literally sick to my stomach.”

Ryan nodded, took another pull of his beer, and then started to speak again. He opened his mouth and then shut it again without saying anything. He took another pull before dropping the bottle to his thigh.

“I just don't think she would do that. Even if she had the opportunity. I don't think so. Would she really be that easy?”

“She’s known him for years.”

Ryan smiled. He lifted his finger in the air as if he had an idea.

“So, she’s known him for years and decided to sleep with him just now? Seems a bit suspicious to me.” He shook his head as if it was a ridiculous idea.

“I don't know what to believe anymore.” I lifted my bottle and drained it. “Throw me another.” I reached my hand out just as the bottle came flying across the room.

Ryan tapped his head as he said. “Don't get all caught up in here.”

I nodded and drank. We drank all the beer and then moved into the house and drank all of my bourbon. We played PlayStation, and I was distracted. It was a good night, until I laid down and thought about Chris and Emerson together.

&nb

sp; Chapter Twenty-Eight

Emerson

The days I spent with Rachel had been just what I needed. I didn't think about work or my grant or even Luke... much. She kept me busy. We shopped and shopped and even found me a gorgeous bridesmaid dress. I helped her pick out a cake style and settle on a place for the wedding reception. And that was just day one. Day two started with her waking me up like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Hey!” She sat on the edge of my bed, bouncing rapidly.

“Morning,” I grumbled. She was always the morning person, and I was not. Her smile was wide, and I knew that meant that I was going to be getting up really, really soon.

“I am so glad you are in town. So... today, I was thinking we could go dress shopping while Charlie is at his conference. Ya know. THE dress.”

“Wedding dress?” I raised my eyebrows and gave her a small smile.

“Yes. I couldn't think of a better person to do that with.”

I perked up. “Okay.”

“Get to moving, missy.” She slapped my blanket covered butt and pranced out of the room. As she turned into the hall, she called over her shoulder. “I've got your coffee, and it's calling your name, Emmy, Emmy, Emmy, Emmy...” Her voice got quieter as she moved into the other room. I stretched my arms over my head and let out a big yawn and then sat up. I reached for my phone, and before I even opened the screen, I sat it back down. My feet hit the cold hardwood floors, and I cringed, jerking them back up into the covers.

I laughed, remembering a conversation about how cold the floor was when we first moved in. I counted down to three in my head and then ran across the room and into the bathroom across the hall. After jumping in the shower and brushing my teeth, I walked down the hall and grabbed my chair at the bistro table.

“Here ya go, sunshine.”

Rachel was being extra sweet, which worried me a little.

“Okay. I let ya have a day without questions, so it’s time to talk out why you are really here.”

I lifted the coffee cup to my mouth taking in the warm, rich liquid. I needed a lot more caffeine before there would be any conversation. I grunted and took another sip.