Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

I stared at them, not sure what to say or do.

“We’re good listeners,” Sinclair said.

“And if it’s fake marriage related, we can help,” Trina added.

“We’re experts,” Sinclair finished.

I let them in because the truth was, I needed to talk to someone. A few minutes later, with a glass full of wine, I spilled about everything. I recounted to them my meeting with Meredith where she assumed I was married, and Tucker his offering to help.

“The thing is, I know the mayor’s office has been helpful with the library project, but I can’t work on that anymore. At Meredith’s party, Rick showed up and exposed me as a liar. I haven’t talked to her, but maybe if she knew I was out of the project she’d still donate.”

“What is Rick doing back?” Trina asked. “And why at Meredith Reynolds? He’s not a mover and shaker.”

“He showed up with Stark and Wallace.”

Sinclair’s eyes narrowed.

“Oh hell no,” Trina said. She looked at Sinclair, “I knew there was something shady going on there. We had some calls about the library thing and I …they just sounded off. Like someone from Wallace’s office or Stark’s henchmen. I told them to go fuck themselves…in a polite professional way, of course.”

“I don't know what their agenda was. I just know that she won’t support it if I’m involved.”

“Is that why you stopped helping in the campaign too?” Sinclair asked. “I keep wondering why Tucker has been showing up to help and not you.”

“Tucker is helping?”

She nodded. “Yes. I haven’t really talked to him. Brooke puts him to work and he does it. But it was weird to see him without you.”

“Did your fake marriage start to feel real?” Trina asked.

“It’s complicated.”

Trina laughed. “I get it.”

“So, what’s with Rick?” Sinclair asked. “Are you and he working things out?”

“Hell no!”

Both the ladies flinched and then laughed.

“I see now that he wasn’t right for me or me for him. I was probably just feeling like if I didn’t take him now, I wouldn’t ever have a chance to get married and have a family. I’m glad he jilted me because it would have been a mistake to marry him.”

“You know, I think we all saw that,” Sinclair said. “You’re a vibrant woman who’s luster always dimmed around him. Maybe I should have asked about it, but you can never know what’s between two people.”

I nodded. “I’d have probably denied it at the time.”

“So what about Tucker?” Trina asked.

I shrugged. What could I say?

“What happened there?” Sinclair asked, gently.

“The ruse was over, so I told him to leave.”

Sinclair studied me. “I thought you had feelings for him.”

I nodded, having a hard time saying the words.

“He didn’t feel the same?” Trina asked, in that tone that suggested she’d go punch him in the throat for not loving me.