Fake Marriage Box Set

I stared out at the water, watching it gently move under the marshy layer on top of the pond. The way it moved slowly and without a care was calming. It was easy to get lost watching the way nature ebbed and flowed. I tossed a rock in the center of the thick, green film. It created a small hole, but the water kept moving. It didn’t stop or change course. The hole would fill in, and everything would carry on as if I had never destroyed the smooth even layer on top.

If only human pain and sorrow was so flexible. My thoughts drifted to Professor Dunlap—Ian. The hole created by the deaths of his wife and daughter was slowly closing. I hoped I could get to that point a lot faster than he had. Four years was too long. The hole in my life was still gaping. Everything I did seemed to lead to thoughts of Talia.

My stomach grumbled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten this morning. Or last night for that matter. I stood, brushed off my butt, and started the walk back to my car. It was a quick drive into town, and I wanted to try something new. After my coffee date with Ian, I had this weird feeling, like I got a new lease on life somehow. I wanted to experience new things and squeeze every last drop out of life. I had to do enough living for me and Talia both.

A small cafe practically materialized in front of me. It reminded me of one of those greasy spoons my mother was always so against. How bad could one greasy meal be?

“Looks good,” I declared, pulling my little car into a parking spot out front. I was only a little concerned by the empty lot. Maybe the rush hour had already passed.

I walked in, taking in the sweet scent of baked goods combined with a variety of coffee aromas. Coffee sent my mind back to Ian. The last coffee I’d had was with him.

“Have a seat anywhere you want, hon. I’ll be right over,” a waitress called out to me.

“Thanks,” I said, quickly scanning the nearly empty restaurant.

My eyes landed on the back of a very familiar looking head. I walked down the row of benches and tables. “Ian?”

He looked up, surprise on his face. “Tessa?”

“Hey, I thought that was you. I’ve become very familiar with the back of your head. I would recognize it anywhere,” I joked.

“Are you eating?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’ve never been here before. I was in the mood for something new,” I replied.

“Have a seat.” He gestured to the empty bench across from him. “The food is great. A little on the unhealthy side, but when you taste it, you won’t care.”

“I’m counting on that. What did you eat?” I said, not taking his offer to sit down, just yet.

“I haven’t ordered yet. Please, eat with me, so I’m not the lonely widower again. It gets old. The waitress has already tried to set me up with every eligible female she knows. This way she’ll think I have a girlfriend and lay off.” He winked.

Hesitating for a moment, I threw caution to the wind. “Sure, I would love to play your doting lover.” I waggled my eyebrows, causing him to chuckle.

I slid into the bench and picked up the menu. I scanned the selections and settled on French toast before putting down the menu, waiting for the waitress to come by. It was a splurge, but one I was going to relish down to the last bite.

“Kind of weird running into you here,” I started, trying to fill the awkward silence.

He chuckled. “Yeah, it really is. This place isn’t exactly on the main drag, and it’s not a huge draw for college students.” He paused, looked serious and then met my eyes. “Maybe it’s a sign.”

“A sign of what?” I asked, a little unsure. His gaze was making me squirm.

Shrugging, he smiled. “I don’t know, like the universe is pushing us together, perhaps.”

I laughed, ignoring that little tingle in my belly. “It seems that way, doesn’t it?” I looked at him and in a serious tone said, “I don’t mind.”

He looked away, leaving me feeling like a fool. Clearly, I made him uncomfortable with my forwardness.

“How’s your weekend?” he asked, ignoring my not-so-subtle come on.

Happy to pretend it never happened, I jumped into the very normal conversation. “I’ve been busy with homework, but today I am relaxing. I spent some time down by the water,” I said, drifting off. “You?”

He blessed me with another one of those sexy smiles. “My exciting weekend has involved lesson planning and cleaning up after a fat cat.”

The image of him and a cat made me want to roll on the floor laughing. He didn’t look, or act, like a cat person at all.

“A cat? Why do I see you more as a dog person?

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