Not that she was ogling him or anything. Not at all. In fact, if he’d worn a T-shirt that actually fit him instead of a size smaller than he was, she would have missed his Popeye-sized biceps entirely.
He didn’t even look like he remembered her. Well, two could play that game. It was just as well. She had harbored a secret crush on him back in high school until she realized what a complete and total jerk he was.
Yeah, Trent Montgomery as her wedding date for a whole five days was not going to work. Anyone but him. She wouldn’t be caught dead hiring someone like Trent—a guy who completely embarrassed her in high school.
Kennedy rushed over to her. “Maddie, you’re right on time,” she said, holding out a delicate ivory hand.
Maddie numbly shook it, glancing around the gym one last time to make sure there weren’t any other tall, handsome men Kennedy could have possibly brought with her to be her wedding date. No such luck. Although, considering the alternative, the senior citizen with the droopy sweatpants in the corner had some potential.
Kennedy’s mouth stretched into a wide, beaming smile. “I want to say that I personally looked over your questionnaire and, with great care that you can only get at Match Made Easy, have come up with the perfect escort for your sister’s wedding. In fact, I was just about to brief Trent but since you’re here, I’ll introduce you two, and you can get to know each other on your own.”
Maddie frowned. Funny, but she thought escorts would use a stage name for their clients. Less chance of inviting stalkers or women who wanted to call on them for any off-duty services. She stepped closer to Kennedy, avoiding eye contact with Trent and his biceps, and cleared her throat. “Uh, can I have a word with you?”
Kennedy bobbed her head up and down, sending her dangly earrings swaying like porch swings during a hurricane. “Of course. But first, I want you to meet Trent. You’re going to have to agree that he meets all the criteria you’ve listed.”
Maddie finally allowed her gaze to travel over to Trent. Lordy. He certainly did meet all the criteria she listed. And then some. On a scale of one to ten in the looks department, Trent scored a “twelve—too hot for mere mortal eyes.” Unfortunately, Maddie learned the hard way that looks couldn’t make up for personality. There was no way she was going to pay good money for his company. She’d much rather face humiliation from her family.
“A pleasure,” he said in a smooth, deep voice.
No, it most certainly was not a pleasure. It was a mistake. A huge and disappointing I-better-get-my-deposit-back mistake.
Kennedy clasped her hands expectantly. “Well? What do you think?”
Think? No thinking about it. She cleared her throat, turning her head ever so slightly so Trent wouldn’t hear her, and whispered, “I think I’d like a refund.”
Refund?
Trent didn’t shock easily, but for the first time in his life he was left speechless. This woman was actually turning him down as her wedding date?
His cousin seemed confused too and turned three shades of pink before eventually settling on a pale puke green. “W-what do you mean?” she asked. “The wedding wasn’t canceled, was it?”
The woman named Maddie gave him another nervous glance before addressing Kennedy again. “Uh, no.” She leaned in and lowered her voice again. “It’s just that I don’t want”—she tried to point in a subtle manner, but it was hard for him not to notice, considering she was less than a foot away—“him.”
Trent’s brows shot up. He tugged on the collar of his T-shirt and took a quick sniff of himself. When that checked out, he ran his hand over his mouth and cheeks to make sure no remnants of his breakfast were hanging off. All clear on that front, too.
Huh. Well, this was a first. He considered himself one of those eligible-dating-material kind of guys. Women certainly seemed to think so. Other women, anyway. He never had problems getting dates. He was even voted Best Looking in high school.
So what the hell is her problem anyway?
Kennedy’s eyes widened as she glanced at him. “I’m sorry. I’m a little confused. What’s wrong with Trent? He’s gorgeous,” she said in a family pride sort of manner.
Maddie turned her back on him. “That may be the case, but I’m still going to need some sort of do-over.”
“Do-over?” His cousin shook her head. “I—I can’t do a do-over. Not on this short notice.”
“Well, I’m afraid I’m going to need a refund then.”
That did it. Trent had heard enough and was tired of standing by like a piece of auctioned meat. And unwanted auctioned meat at that.
“Excuse me.” He tapped the blonde none too lightly on her shoulder. When she turned around, surprise froze the curt words that teetered on the tip of his tongue.
Well, hell. The woman was even prettier than he originally thought. Satiny blond hair brushed her shoulders with just enough bounce and curl that made him want to reach out and touch a strand. She had a nice body, too—not necessarily athletic, but trim and soft in all the right places. The frown she aimed at him only accentuated her full bottom lip that was shiny from gloss or maybe from nervously licking it.
Why in the world does this woman need to hire an escort service?
Cool blue eyes stared back at him. “I’m sorry, but this doesn’t concern you.”
She was about to turn away again, but he placed a gentle hand on her arm. Her muscles tensed, but for some reason he didn’t let go. “Actually, it does concern me,” he told her. In more ways than she would ever realize. He had a stake in his cousin’s business and, as much as he hated the idea of posing as a wedding date, he couldn’t afford to let Kennedy or the company down.
Kennedy held her hands up, making the time-out sign. “Okay, okay. We all have to take a deep breath here. I think a change of scenery is in order. All this spandex obviously has everyone on edge.”
“No,” Maddie said firmly, removing his hand from her arm. “If you don’t have anyone else, then this isn’t going to work. I’m sorry, Kennedy, there isn’t anything else to discuss.” And with that, she skirted by both of them and began speed walking down the row of elliptical machines with two clenched fists at her side.
Trent blinked at the woman’s retreating back then shamelessly allowed his gaze to drift down to her sashaying hips.
Kennedy grabbed his arm, righting his gaze again. “What in the world did you say to her?”
“What? Hmm…let’s see, I smiled and said, ‘A pleasure.’ Yep, that must have been it. I probably should have used a complete sentence and said, ‘A pleasure to meet you.’ Somebody call the grammar police!”
She snorted. “There has to be more to it than that.”
“The woman obviously has issues, too.”
“Well, we can’t let her walk out like that. Something is wrong.”
“Yeah, like she’s mental.”
“Trent,” she scolded, “this is serious. You have to go after her and smooth things out.”
“Me? Why me? You’re the CEO. I thought I was just being billed as ‘the pretty face’ in this partnership.”
“Look, she was all set to sign on the dotted line until she saw you. This account is important to the investors and me. It should be important to you, too. Please, Trent, for the company. For your company. Go after her,” she said, giving him a slight push in that direction. “Time is wasting. She’s probably halfway to Maine by now.”
Remorse twisted his insides. Kennedy was right. Maddie might be a fruit loop, but he needed the money. “Fine.” He sighed, then he took off in her direction.
Fortunately, he found her five seconds later. The woman wasn’t anywhere near halfway to Maine, but by all accounts, she was about halfway from an embarrassing 911 call.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he barked, coming up behind her.
Maddie—whose forearm was wedged up one of his vending machine drop slots—lifted her pert nose at him as if she were royalty and he a common serf. “I’m retrieving my Diet Coke,
thank you very much.”
He smothered a grin. “Well, before you can retrieve your soda, you must first insert your money.”
She huffed out an exaggerated breath. “I understand that, Captain Obvious, and I already did. This stupid machine moved the can just close enough not to fall. It’s probably the owner’s way of getting extra money.”
He bit down on his tongue at that remark, considering he was the owner.
Maddie shoved her arm farther up the slot. “I almost have it.”
“Will you take your arm out of there before we have to saw it off?”
Fire sprung in those blue eyes of hers, making her look even more adorable, he decided. Like angry Tinker Bell. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
Trent gazed heavenward. Great. Not only would he have to place that 911 call when her arm got stuck, but then he’d probably have to call his attorney, too, for when she sued him. It wasn’t such a wonder anymore why she needed help getting that wedding date. This woman was trouble with a capital T.
Trying a different tactic, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in. “You’re right. It’s none of my business. Stay in that position all day if you want. The guy on treadmill number two is getting quite the view. One more deep squat and I guarantee he’ll be asking for your number.”
“What?” Cheeks on fire, she sprung up. She glanced behind her then turned toward him with narrowed eyes. “Hey, that was a dirty trick. There’s no guy over there.”
“No, but if there were he would have been treated to a dazzling display of hot pink thong. Not to mention that I’m sure my ‘dirty trick’ just saved you at least eight weeks of physical therapy. And by the way, you’re welcome.”
Maddie folded her arms, but there was a hint of a smile on those luscious lips of hers. “For the record, it’s not hot pink. It’s neon crystal pink. But thanks,” she muttered.
Trent sighed then nodded. “How about we start over? I’m Trent Montgomery.” He stuck out his hand to her.
She glanced at it, not bothering to shake it, and immediately lost her smile. “I know who you are, Trent. We went through four years of high school together.”
He squinted at her. Four years? Impossible. There was no way he would have gone all through his high school years without noticing or asking her out at least once. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Her expression became a mask of impassive coolness. “As sure as you asking me to your junior prom.”
He blinked. “We went to the junior prom together?” What the hell? It’s getting worse.
“No. I said you asked me to your junior prom. Then two weeks before, one of your jock buddies told me it was some sort of varsity hazing ritual to ask someone out from marching band. Some joke. I had bought a dress and everything.”
Okay, not getting worse. It was worse. Then a memory popped into his mind. “Wait. You’re Fatty Maddie?”
Her chin shot up, and she pinned him with a kind of disdain reserved only for delinquent dads or men who kicked puppies. “It’s just Maddie nowadays, but yes,” she said in a frosty tone.
He winced. Of all the women he would need to depend on for his business, it was dumb luck that it would turn out to be a girl his buddies practically tortured in school. A dull throb filled his temples, and he reached up both hands to massage them.
He should have been more surprised at his actions, but it wasn’t hard to picture himself going along with something like that back then. When his buddies had teased Maddie about her weight, he had said nothing. Never came to her defense. But he had been a rotten teenager, constantly looking for approval and acceptance from his friends since his parents were never around to give him those things. It was one of the reasons he wanted to start a youth program in his gym for high school boys. To make a difference but to also keep young men from becoming what he had been: a self-absorbed ass.
“I’m sorry,” he told her, finally dropping his arms. “I didn’t exactly hang around with the best crowd back then.”
Maddie shrugged. “Water under the bridge. We’re both mature adults now. Well, I am, at least.”
“So you not wanting to hire me has nothing to do with our so-called past? I mean, since you’re the mature adult in this equation here.”
“That’s right. It has absolutely nothing to do with high school.” But the waver in her voice combined with the way she didn’t meet his eyes when she answered told him a different story—like this woman knew how to hold a grudge.
Not that he blamed her. He could tell he had hurt her back then. And for that, he felt like a true jackass. No wonder the woman didn’t want to hire him as her date. She probably didn’t even want to be in his presence now. But he had to change her mind.
“I find that hard to believe.” He stepped closer to her and caught a pleasing scent of citrus mixed with flowers—like springtime and sass in a bottle. He barely knew this woman, but somehow the fragrance suited her. Everything about her seemed fresh and clean and bright. All the way from her neon pink panties to the robin’s-egg blue color on her fingertips. He wondered how he’d missed someone so vibrant all those years ago even in just passing.
Then he frowned, suddenly remembering the real reason he had gone after her in the first place: so she’d reconsider and use his cousin’s escort service. Which actually was turning out to be a more interesting job than he originally thought.
“Look, I’m perfectly fine,” she told him in a no-nonsense tone. “So get over yourself. We were both kids. As you can see, I’m unaffected by what you did back then.”
As a beautiful woman in desperate need of a hired wedding date, he had to assume she was affected by something. Not that her problem was his to solve. He had enough of his own, including getting his investment money back from his cousin’s business.
He cleared his throat. “I’m glad to hear it. I guess I’m hired then.”
Hired. Ugh. The word still sounded bizarre. He couldn’t believe he was one step away from actually begging. But if Maddie asked, he wouldn’t be averse to dropping down on his knees and doing just that.
She scoffed. “I don’t think so. It’s kind of awkward at this point, you pretending to be my date and all.”
“One little mishap in high school doesn’t have to be awkward.”
She pursed her lips, staring him down. “Did you know you also broke my glasses on senior prank day?”
Oh, crap. He sighed then shook his head.
“Well, you did. You and your buddies bought hundreds of those super bouncy balls and dropped them from the second floor onto underclassmen below, one of whom happened to be me. One bounced right in my face and knocked off my glasses, then a girl in a wheelchair ran over them while she was trying to roll out of the way. My mom made me spend my own money to buy a new pair.”
He rubbed his face with his hand and prayed he hadn’t done anything else to this woman. Karma certainly was a bitch, or in his instance, a five-foot-five blond pixie who wore contacts and had an elephant memory. “Uh, sorry about that, too, then.”
She blew her hair out of her face, sending curls dancing along her cheek. “Look, Trent, no offense, but this whole situation combined with our pasts is just a little…weird. It won’t work. I’m not that good of an actress to pretend that I like you, let alone that I’m smitten with you. And right now, I literally can’t afford for anyone not to believe me.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Leave it to the professionals at Match Made Easy.”
Maddie cocked an eyebrow. “The professionals. You mean you?”
“Yes, uh, me.” Sort of. Maybe he wasn’t exactly an escort professional. But he knew women well enough. How hard could this job be anyway? All he had to do was think of it as a one hundred and twenty hour date…
Kennedy better be right about this job being good for business.
“My sister was four years behind us in school. Do you really think for one second she is going to fall for any of your lines? She knows what you
did to me.”
“Okay, I can see where there might be some issues for you, but I can guarantee you that I’ve changed.” He had changed. He made a show out of crossing his heart to help prove his case. “Maddie, you’re going to have to trust me on this.”
“Ha! I don’t trust you as far as I can—”
“Maddie!” a female voice called.
“What now,” she said with a groan.
They both turned in the direction of the voice. A very attractive brunette walked over to them, all smiles and white teeth for Maddie. “Hey, Maddie,” she said once she stood next to them. “What are you doing here? I thought you said you were allergic to working out.”
Trent held in a grin but glanced over at Maddie with raised eyebrows.
Maddie’s cheeks colored. “Uh, no, Sabrina. I said I have allergies and quite possibly”—she fake-coughed several times—”exercise-induced asthma. That’s why I don’t work out. I prefer good old-fashioned walking,” she said, pumping her arms back and forth.
Sabrina’s brows furrowed. “Then what are you doing here?”
“I…was just passing through…on my walk.”
“Passing through a gym?” Sabrina chuckled. “I don’t think so. I know you too well. Not unless there was a Krispy Kreme on the other side of it. Does this have anything to do with your friend here?” she said, giving her a knowing smile.
Maddie blinked. “Friend? Who?” She glanced at Trent in horror. “NO! Not at all. He’s not a friend, he’s—”
“Her boyfriend,” Trent blurted. This was it. This was his one chance to seal the deal, and he was grabbing it. He then threw his arm around Maddie and pulled her into his chest.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Maddie mumbled into his T-shirt.
Sabrina raised questioning eyebrows at him. “Are you or aren’t you?”
He gritted his teeth but smiled. It was obvious Maddie wasn’t going to take a knee and make this easy for him. “Maddie has a wonderful sense of humor. It’s one of the things I love about her.”
Maddie managed to wriggle out of his embrace, shooting him such a sharp look that he almost checked for blood.
Wedding Date for Hire Page 3
