[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  A smile spread across her face. “Yes. We were embarrassed about the whole hiring thing. So we made up the opera story.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, because meeting in the women’s bathroom was much less embarrassing.”

  Madison let out a belly laugh, then clamped her lips together and cleared her throat. “Sorry about that.”

  She was sure cute when she was trying to put on a straight face. “No you’re not.”

  “You’re right.” A giggle escaped. “Every time I imagine you stumbling around the ladies room, literally bumping into women, it’s hard not to laugh.”

  He hid a smile. “You’re thinking of it right now, aren’t you?”

  She whacked his arm. “Stop trying to make me laugh.”

  “All right. How about we confess that I didn’t hire you to work at Jameson Technologies, but hired you to be my girlfriend instead. Then we don’t have to change much of our story.”

  “Perfect.” Her smile made her glow. Something about her made him want to be closer to her. Learn all he could about her. She intrigued him like no other woman ever had.

  He brushed her cheek with the back of his knuckles and reveled in the feel of her velvety skin. The urge to kiss her flooded him, but he pushed it away. The last thing he wanted to do was take advantage of her. She deserved better.

  He pulled his hand away, and she stared down at her lap, her eyelashes brushing her cheeks. “We’d better gather our things. I’d like to visit Shelly, then I need to get to the office before they let Darlene take over.”

  She nodded, but he thought he saw disappointment flit across her face before it vanished.

  MADISON PUT ON THE clothes she had worn out to Highland Falls. Irene had washed them for her. There wasn’t much to pack. A toothbrush and hairbrush she’d bought at the department store. A pack of Tic Tacs from the gas station. She stuffed them in her purse.

  Why did it feel like she was preparing for a funeral? It was ridiculous. No need to be sad about leaving. It wasn’t like they were really engaged. But even as the thought surfaced, she knew the truth. She had deeper feelings for Jared than she wanted to admit.

  The way his lip twitched when he was trying not to smile. The sadness in his eyes when he talked about his mother. The way she felt when she was with him. All reasons to get through this fake-wedding, then get as far away from him as possible. He didn’t love her. And the more she allowed herself to fantasize, the more it would hurt when they parted.

  Jared stuck his head in the room. “We’ve got a problem.”

  Her head jerked up. “What?” His face looked so serious, her heart raced to her toes. “Is it Shelly? Is she okay?”

  He put his hand up. “No, nothing like that. My father’s giving us an engagement gift.”

  A gift? How was that a problem? “What’s he giving us?”

  “Two tickets to the Henry Doorly Zoo.”

  What an odd engagement present. She tried to plaster on a smile. “Okay. Tell him thanks.”

  Jared rubbed the back of his neck. “They’re only good today. I guess he got some kind of deal on them. They include the IMAX theater, and he’s insisting we go...have some alone time.”

  Several emotions raced through her, grappling with each other to see who would come out on top. Happiness, at the thought of being able to delay their separation by a few hours. Dread, knowing she was walking on the edge of a cliff, about to fall off. And amusement, at the thought of Jared at the zoo. The happiness and amusement won out, and she smiled. “Sounds like fun.”

  “Really? Because I could tell him I must get back to work...”

  Her chest tightened. “No. Don’t do that. My horoscope today says I should not make waves. I think we should thank him and go.”

  “When did you check your horoscope?”

  “When you were in the shower. I borrowed your phone.”

  A wary look crossed his face. “How often have you done that?”

  She plastered on a sheepish look. “Every day. I...uh, installed an app.”

  “Is that why I’ve been getting texts from that psychic Madame Geary?”

  “Oh, she’s good. You should call her.”

  He pinched his lips and closed his eyes. When he opened them, she could tell he was trying not to yell. “Just check your horoscope in the paper, okay?”

  “Sure. No problem.”

  He fingered the door handle. “There’s one other thing. The zoo is an hour away, in the opposite direction. If we stop by Aunt Shelly’s house, then head to the zoo, we won’t have enough time to drive home. We’ll have to come back here and spend the night tonight.”

  She tried to keep her heart from hammering in her chest. “That’s fine, we can spend another night here.”

  “All right. I’ll go tell my father.”

  Madison changed into one of Irene’s cute sundresses, perfect for a day outside. She slipped her feet into a pair of beaded sandals, glad she and Irene were the same size. Then she stuffed her clothes in the dresser drawer and tossed her toothbrush and hairbrush on the bathroom counter. On her way to the stairs, she stopped at the first door on the left. It was the only room where the door had remained closed, and she had no idea what was in there. Maybe it was a closet. She tried the handle, but it was locked. Who would lock a closet? She shrugged and continued down.

  Maxwell and Irene practically shoved them out the door, telling them to have fun and to come back hungry because they were planning a special dinner. Jared raised his eyebrows but didn’t say anything.

  Shelly’s house wasn’t far, although the neighborhood was very different. Smaller homes and much closer together, but still an affluent part of town. They rang the doorbell and Patricia answered.

  “I’m so glad you’re here. Mom’s been grouchy and taking it out on me.”

  A voice from the other room called out, “I can hear you, ya know.”

  Patricia rolled her eyes. “See what I mean?” She waved them inside, shut the door, then lowered her voice. “She’s been having trouble breathing today.”

  Jared’s face paled, and Madison touched his arm, hoping the gesture would let him know she was there for him.

  Patricia called out, “Mom, Jared and Madison are here to see you.”

  “I know. It’s not my ears that are having trouble.”

  “Geesh. Go on in.” Patricia turned on her heel and disappeared.

  They entered a hallway, then a light-blue bedroom with white accents. The furniture was all antique. Beautiful pieces. Shelly lay in an old-style poster bed, pillows propping up her head and upper body.

  “Hey, Shelly. How are you doing?” Jared bent down and gave her a hug. Shelly motioned for Madison to come closer.

  “Terrible, sweetie, but don’t let me get you down. I heard you’re going to spend the day doing something fun.”

  Jared raised an eyebrow. “Word sure gets around fast, huh?”

  Shelly laughed, and a wheezing sound filled the room. “Was just talking to your father. I do have some good news.”

  “Yes?”

  “The doctors say my heart is strong. Whatever is wrong, it’s not heart disease.”

  Jared smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m glad. That is good news.”

  They chatted for a few minutes, and then Shelly seemed to grow tired. “Thanks for stopping by you two, but you’d better be on your way. Go have fun.” She made a shooing motion with her hands.

  “All right, we’re going.” Jared leaned over to give her another hug, and when he was done she opened her arms to Madison.

  “You take care of him, okay?” she whispered.

  A cold ball of lead thudded into her stomach. “Sure will.”

  They drove in silence for a while. Then Jared turned on the radio and the mood lightened.

  “What kind of music do you like?”

  “All kinds. Soft rock, pop, country, jazz.”

  “You like jazz? Great.” He pressed a preset button and lively saxophone musi
c filled the car. She snuck a sideways glance at him. He wore a dark t-shirt and faded blue jeans. He looked like he belonged in a soap commercial. Smelled like it, too. She fiddled with her purse strap.

  She needed to get a grip. Imagine him with pock marks all over his face, and a beer belly. Perform some kind of cleansing to get him out of her system. She frowned. No detox diet would get rid of this.

  He tapped the steering wheel with his thumb in time to the music and glanced at her. “What’s the matter?”

  Heat rose to her face. She couldn’t tell him she was hoping he’d suddenly become unattractive to her. “Nothing.” She plastered on a smile. “Why do you think your dad bought us tickets to the zoo?”

  “I don’t know. He and Irene were acting funny.”

  They sure were. The way they kept exchanging glances, like they shared some little secret. And Irene’s smile held a message she couldn’t decipher. “Yes. They’re definitely up to something.”

  The hour passed quickly, and soon they were in line to enter the zoo. The day hadn’t yet turned hot, and a pleasant breeze fanned them. “I’ve never been here,” Madison admitted. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Jared turned to her, a half-grin on his face. “You know, I used to come here with my parents when I was little. I couldn’t say Henry Doorly, and my parents got a kick out of me requesting to go to the Hunky Doorey Zoo.”

  Madison laughed. “That’s cute.”

  His face grew serious. “Then my mother died, and we stopped coming.”

  She slipped her hand in his without thinking, then regretted the intimate gesture, but couldn’t remove it without drawing attention, so she left it. “Maybe today will bring back some good memories.”

  “Maybe.”

  They got through the gate and studied the map. All of the attractions looked good. Madison wasn’t sure which to start with. “What do you want to see first?”

  He glanced around. “This place has changed a lot since I was a kid. They’ve built a bunch of new buildings.”

  “Ooh, look. There’s one called Kingdoms of the Night. It sounds interesting.”

  “Sure.” He squeezed her hand and shivers coursed up her arm, which she tried to ignore.

  Kingdoms of the Night turned out to be a wonderfully fabricated cave with exhibits showing bats, snakes, scorpions, and other such creatures. The lower level took you through a dark swamp with water containing beavers and alligators. It was a little spooky, and Madison found herself clinging to Jared’s arm, and immensely enjoying the experience.

  JARED COULDN’T DENY the feelings invading him as he walked through the exhibits with Madison. His pulse raced with every touch. She grew more excited with each display, pointing to the little creatures scurrying under the brush, and leaning over to see the animals swimming in the dark. She hid nothing. Most people he knew wore masks. Madison’s personality didn’t seem to allow it.

  “Let’s go to the jungle next.” Her smile lit up her eyes.

  They toured the Lied Jungle, Madison reaching out from the suspension bridge to touch the waterfall, and squealing when the monkeys jumped from one vine to the next. He glanced down at the ring on her finger, the one he’d given her, and a part of him wished it wasn’t pretend.

  After the jungle, Madison pulled him over to another map. “Let’s ride the train!”

  She looked so happy, he didn’t have the heart to tell her it was probably for little kids, and they’d be sitting with their knees up to their chins. “Okay. I think we can buy tickets over here.”

  While they waited in line, he heard someone call to Madison.

  “Madison Nichols? Is that you?” A young woman tugging a two-year-old behind her approached them. A casually dressed man followed them, his hands in his pockets. The woman’s hair was pulled back in a French knot, a pair of designer sunglasses on top of her head.

  Madison’s expression turned wary. “Debbie?”

  “Madison, I haven’t seen you in ages.” Her sneer belied her words. “I told Derrick that was you, but he didn’t believe me. You remember Derrick from high school, right? Captain of the football team.” The woman indicated the man, ignoring the child now looking up at Madison with large blue eyes.

  Derrick gave Madison a half-wave.

  “How’s the acting career coming along?” Debbie peered down her nose. “Last I knew, you’d moved to California.”

  Madison’s cheeks tinged pink. “I’m...uh, taking a break from the acting right now.”

  The urge to protect Madison overcame Jared, and he put his arm around her shoulders.

  “Oh, you poor dear. Couldn’t make it in Hollywood, huh?” She clicked her tongue. “Well, Derrick here just got a position at Hartford and Harrison, the law firm in Bellevue.” She patted her husband’s arm, a gloating smile on her face.

  Jared couldn’t stand it anymore. He stuck his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Debbie. I’m Jared Jameson, Madison’s fiancé.”

  Debbie’s gaze traveled the length of him, her expression changing. “Oh.”

  That shut her up, and Jared hid a smile. He picked up Madison’s hand, turning it in such a way so Debbie could see the rock on her finger. “In fact, the wedding is coming up soon.”

  Debbie’s eyes grew large as she noticed the diamond. She glanced from Jared, to the ring, and back to Jared. “I think I’ve heard your name before. What do you do?”

  “I’m the CEO of Jameson Technologies, in Crimson Ridge.”

  “Oh.” She couldn’t seem to be able to think of any other stinging comments to toss at Madison. The child, apparently bored with standing there, tugged on Debbie’s hand. “Baa baa.”

  For the first time, Debbie glanced down at the child. “Yes, we’ll go see the goats in a second. Mommy’s talking.” Then she rolled her eyes.

  “He’s a darling.” Madison smiled down at him.

  “Baa baa,” he said again.

  Debbie ignored him. “He doesn’t talk yet.”

  For the first time, Derrick spoke. “We’ve been looking into enrolling Eli in a program.”

  Debbie huffed and shot a glare at her husband. “He doesn’t need a special program.” Her voice held such disdain. “He’s fine. He’ll talk when he’s ready.” She threw her nose in the air. “Nice to see you again, Madison, darling. You have a great wedding.” She squeezed Madison’s arm, then trotted off, trailing her son and husband behind her.

  Jared watched them leave. “An old friend?” he asked, sarcastically.

  “Yeah, right. She tortured me all through school. Why’d she even come over and talk to me? She never did in high school.”

  “She wanted to gloat. Throw her husband’s success up in your face.” A knot formed in his stomach. “She’s inconsequential.”

  A grateful smile crossed her face. “Thanks for the fib.”

  They were at the front of the line for train tickets now, so he couldn’t respond. He purchased them, and they walked over to the train tracks to wait in another line.

  The seats on the train were cozy, but thankfully not so small that he was uncomfortable. He didn’t mind being forced to sit close to Madison. When the breeze blew in his direction, he smelled the light flowery scent of her perfume. She laughed in delight when the train jerked and began down the track.

  After the train ride, they caught the IMAX movie, a beautiful film about the plains Indians who had populated the area years ago. The cinematography was gorgeous, with zooming shots taken from a helicopter of the Nebraska flatlands and lazy rivers.

  The rest of their time at the zoo went quickly as they rushed to see as many exhibits as they could. When it grew late and it was about to close, they realized they’d only made it half-way through. “We’ll have to come back and finish the rest sometime,” he said, before thinking it through.

  Her face glowed as she slipped into the passenger seat. “I’d like that.”

  He shut her door and frowned. What did he just do? Ask her out on a date? He got in the driver’s s
ide and started the car. Was he on a date right now?

  He drove back to his parent’s house, his thoughts swirling around in his head, getting muddled up with his feelings for Madison. Tomorrow he’d be back at work. Madison would be off job hunting. He’d be able to think more clearly. That’s what he needed. To get away from her and have a clear head again. Then he’d be able to concentrate on something other than the way her hair shined in the sun, or the way her smile reached her eyes.

  Chapter 15

  Madison was silent on the drive home. She’d failed miserably. What happened to getting him out of her system? Wasn’t she supposed to convince herself he was unattractive and not right for her? What was she thinking today?

  The time spent with Jared at the zoo had been delightful. All thoughts about being careful had flown from her head, and she had let herself go. And she’d gotten closer to the edge of the cliff. She had to stop before she found herself crashing to earth in a tailspin.

  When they walked in the door, Irene was there to meet them. She wore a black satin evening gown and heels.

  “Wow, you look nice, Irene. Are you going somewhere?”

  “No.” Irene’s smile seemed suspicious. “How was your day?”

  She didn’t want her sour mood to spoil the thoughtful gift Irene and Maxwell had given them, so she pasted on a grin. “It was wonderful. I think I liked the cave creatures the best.”

  Jared chuckled. “Even though you clung to me the entire time?”

  “It was a little creepy. But fun.” She flashed another smile at Irene.

  Irene raised her eyebrows. “I’m glad you had fun. Your special dinner awaits.”

  Jared’s face paled. “Um, did you cook for us, Irene?” His voice cracked.

  She waved her hand. “Oh, I didn’t have time to cook today. But I’m not ruining the surprise. You’ll each find an outfit in your room. Change and get ready, and I’ll come get you.”

  As they climbed the stairs, Jared leaned over and whispered, “What do you think that’s all about?”

  Madison shrugged.

  They entered the guest bedroom and Madison gasped. An exquisite royal purple gown hung on the back of the bathroom door. Sequins dotted the fabric, making it shimmer in the light. Matching shoes lay on the floor.