One Hot Fake: An Accidental Fake Marriage Romance, Sarah Brooks [mobi ebook reader TXT] 📗

and I couldn’t have worked. People called me restless until they met Ruby. She couldn’t stand being in one place for more than a few weeks. Her feet itched to be on the move all the time.

She’s a trust fund kid as well, which funds her numerous travels. I, on the other hand, love business. I love the buzz of starting something from scratch and watching it grow.

“I was in Italy for a while, then Spain, then London,” she says with a laugh. “But I’m back now, permanently, I hope. Your mother was kind enough to invite me to dinner.”

My mother is all smiling at the compliment. “Your father is in the study. I’ll tell him dinner is ready. Meanwhile, you kids catch up, I’m sure you have lots to talk about.”

Kids? I raise my eyebrow at her, but she’s already halfway out of the room. Now, I know the game my mother is playing. She’s wishing Marian away. Pretending that she doesn’t exist by trying to hook me up with a past girlfriend.

“It’s so nice to see you again, Declan,” Ruby says. “I’ve thought a lot about you over the years.”

My mother has gone too far. “Did my mother tell you that I’m married now?”

She leans forward and winks. “Yes, but she also told me how that came about and that you’re about to have it annulled. I’m not surprised, though; you always were a little crazy, Declan. I love that about you.”

My mother returns to the living room. “Dinner is ready.”

I stand up stiffly. I have no appetite, and I’m angry. I’m not a little boy, and I’m tired of being treated like one. I realize that I’ve done that all by myself. I’ve taught my mother to butt into my life. It was fine before, but now it’s grossly disrespectful. She knows very well that Marian and I have no intentions of seeking an annulment. I wait until we are seated for dinner. My father looks uncomfortable, and I don’t blame him. The whole setup is unfair to Marian, Ruby, and me.

“Here, have some potatoes,” my mother says, pushing a dish toward me. “I know how much you love them.”

“I won’t stay for dinner,” I tell her pleasantly.

She goes very still. “I don’t understand.”

I turn to Ruby. “I’m sorry that my mother invited you here under false pretenses. I’m very much married, and my wife, Marian, and I are not seeking an annulment, as my mother told you.”

Mother has the grace to lower her gaze.

Ruby looks confused, but she recovers fast. “We can still have dinner and catch up. We were friends once.”

“I can’t. I’m sorry.” I push my chair back and stand up. “Goodnight.”

Chapter 33

Marian

Instead of driving straight home when I get to LA, I go to Brooke’s house as per her non-negotiable instructions. I know she’s worried, but I am off the cliff now. I’m not a danger to myself anymore, but when I think of how close I came to making a terrible decision, my insides turn to water.

I park my car on the street in front of their house and get out of the car. Brooke comes out and waits for me on the porch. She opens her arms when I reach her, and I fall into them.

“Oh, Marian,” she says and then pulls me into the house. “Let’s go to the kitchen. I’m addicted to tea.”

“Why aren’t you at work?” I ask. Brooke is a vet. The best in LA as far as Jason and I are concerned. “I hope it’s not because of me.”

“Don’t worry about that; I’ll go back tomorrow,” she says, dismissing my question with a wave.

I slide onto the island counter stool and watch her as she makes tea and gets the coffee machine going. Her tummy is a little rounded now. A wave of sadness comes over me.

Minutes later, Brooke joins me on the island with the coffee and tea. I wrap my hands around the coffee mug, seeking warmth, even though it’s not cold.

“How are you?” Brooke says, a look of worry on her face.

“I’m good, really good, thanks to you.”

“Were you really considering getting back together with Leonard?” she asks, unable to disguise the horror in her voice and face.

I nod. “I think that for a few seconds there, I lost my mind. Leonard is good at mind games, and he caught me at a vulnerable point in my life.”

“Because of the non-pregnancy,” Brooke says.

“Yes. I wanted a baby so badly. My twisted mind started to think that maybe Samantha and I could heal each other.”

“And the only way to make Samantha your baby was to be married to her dad,” Brooke says.

I let out a cynical laugh. “Pure insanity. Can you imagine contemplating going back to such a monster?”

“You were in a bad place. It was the wrong time for you to go to Arlen,” Brooke says.

“I know. I was so tired of acting strong and okay with the news that I was not pregnant.”

“Why didn’t you talk to Declan? He’s been fantastic so far from what you’ve told me,” Brooke says.

“I didn’t want to show him that side of me. What if he got impatient with me?”

“But you don’t know that, Marian. Give him a chance,” Brooke says. “It’s not fair to prosecute and judge him based on your own mistrust.”

“I know.” I’m miserable and disappointed with myself.

“Okay, that’s Declan. How about me? I’m sorry, but I’m going to scold you. I can’t believe you’d keep such momentous news from me,” Brooke says. “You’re my sister, Marian.”

Tears spring into my eyes. “I don’t know why I’ve been so fucked up in the last couple of weeks, but I’m going to change. I’m really, really sorry. I love you and Jason; you know that.”

“And we love you, and we want to be there for you always,” Brooke says.

I inhale deeply. “I didn’t want to bother you because of the baby,” I say softly.

“I thought that was the real reason,” Brooke says. “Unnecessary,