“You don’t think they’ll be excited by the surprise wedding?”
She frowned at him. “That’s not what I mean. They’ll assume that you and I...that we’re...”
“In love? I know.” His hushed tone was matter-of-fact.
“And it doesn’t bother you?”
He shrugged. “I guess I’m just used to people making assumptions about me.”
This stirred her interest. “What sort of assumptions?”
This time he glanced away. “All sorts of things. That I’m a bloodthirsty businessman. That I ran off my father so I could assume the CEO position.”
“But that’s ridiculous. He left when you were just a little kid.” When Franco’s surprised gaze turned her way, she realized she’d overstepped. “I’m sorry. My cousin told me a little of Dario’s background, which is also your background.”
Understanding flashed in his eyes. “Anyway, people are going to think what they want, but in the end, I think our families will understand that we did what we thought was best for everyone.”
She had her doubts. “I really hope you’re right.”
He reached out and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “It’s going to be okay.”
She wanted to believe him. This was her one chance to get her stubborn father to do the right thing—hand over the reins to the company so he could get his strength back. And whether she wanted to admit it or not, it was the right thing for her, too.
Her gaze searched his. She’d had no idea Franco would go to these lengths. But why shouldn’t he? He had a lot riding on this wedding. The entire future of his company was on the line.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered.
“Sure, you can. Everything is in motion. All you have to do is act like the loving fiancée.”
“Everyone thinks we’re in love?” When he nodded, she asked, “Even your assistant?”
“Most especially her.”
“Why?”
“Because she is our front person. She has to legitimately be able to sell our whirlwind love story to the guests.”
“You mean my father?”
He nodded once more. “I don’t think your father is going to be happy about you marrying a Marchello.”
“No, he won’t. He wasn’t happy when my cousin married your brother. He’ll be furious about our marriage.”
“But your agreement with him didn’t say whom you had to marry, so we’re good.” His gaze searched hers. “Do you think you’ll be able to pull this off?”
Part of her said that it was too much, but the other part of her—the business part of her—said she could do this if it meant saving her father from himself.
“Yes.” Her answer was soft but firm, even if all the while her stomach roiled with nerves.
“Relax. It’s all been arranged. I’ll see you shortly.” And with that he walked away with an older woman who wore a dark skirt suit with her dark hair pulled up in a bun.
Carla wasn’t sure what to expect. When she’d initially broached the subject of marriage, she’d expected something quick, efficient and businesslike. But this lakeside villa was so far from anything she’d had in mind. This was the setting for a real wedding. Not what they were about to do.
Still, as the young woman continued to stare at her with that plastered-on smile, Carla had no choice but to step out of the car and find out what Franco had in store for her.
Carla approached the young woman. “Hello. I’m Carla Falco.”
“Oh, I know who you are. I’ve seen your photo on the internet. It’s an honor to meet you.” The young woman’s face filled with color. “I can’t believe I got to plan your wedding. We better hurry inside before the guests begin to arrive.” The young woman set off down the stone walk toward the large double doors of the villa.
It was true. Carla was in the news quite often, as she sat on many charity boards. And lately, her father’s health scare had propelled them into the headlines. The public had a vested interest in the welfare of Falco’s Fresco Ristorantes.
What in the world had Franco planned? It really seemed like a lot of trouble for a fake wedding. Well, it would be real on paper, but still, it wasn’t like they were in love or anything. But she had to admit that her curiosity was piqued, and so she followed along.
CHAPTER FOUR
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
It was the same question Franco had been asking himself ever since he’d agreed to Carla’s absolutely off-the-wall idea. And what made him think a brief marriage—a marriage based on a mutually beneficial business arrangement—would end any better than his parents’ painful and disastrous divorce?
His gaze focused on his younger brother, Dario. There was expectation on his face. If he couldn’t get his brother to believe in this marriage, what chance did he have of convincing anyone else? Still, he had to do his best.
Franco raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m getting married.”
Dario moved to stand in front of him. His gaze searched his face. “You don’t look like a man anxious to walk down the aisle.”
Franco attempted a reassuring smile, but catching his reflection in the mirror, he realized his smile ended up as some distorted look that was more a frown than a look of happiness. He glanced away. “It...it’s complicated.”
“She’s pregnant, too?” Dario’s eyes widened.
“No!” Franco’s voice thundered through the room. He swallowed hard and then lowered his voice. “Wait. You said too.” It took him a second to string his thoughts together. “Are you saying Gianna is pregnant?”
Dario smiled and seemed to stand a bit taller. “She is.”
“Congrats!” Franco hugged his younger brother and clapped him on the back. “That’s awesome.”
“Thanks. It is pretty great.” Dario wore a big, happy grin. But then he sobered up. “But we’re talking about you and Carla. Are you sure—”
“I’m sure she’s not pregnant. You know I wouldn’t let that happen.”
Relief reflected in Dario’s eyes. “I should have known after what you went through with Rose that you would be extra cautious. But sometimes things happen.”
Franco tried to block Rose from his thoughts, because every time he thought of her, he once again grew angry at her deception. Rose had lied to him about being pregnant, knowing he could never turn his back on a child of his own. In the end, it’d all been a ploy to get him to marry her. And after a fake pregnancy test, she’d almost snared him into a loveless marriage. But when he’d insisted on a second test with his doctor, the truth came tumbling out.
“Carla is nothing at all like Rose,” he ground out.
“I didn’t mean to imply that she was.”
“Good.” Franco began to pace the floor, feeling like a caged animal.
“I’m no expert on marriage, even if I am married. But I’m just going to put this out there—marrying the woman you love shouldn’t be complicated. It should be all about you and her and being anxious to share your life with her.”
Franco’s head snapped back around to look at his brother. “I can’t believe you said that. I thought you were the one who was totally opposed to marriage.”
Dario shrugged. “What can I say? Gianna changed my mind.”
“Apparently. But what you two have, well, it isn’t the same with Carla and me.”
Dario’s dark brows furrowed together. “How is it, then?”
Franco hesitated. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell his brother everything. But then he recalled promising Carla that he’d keep this all to himself. It was the only way this was going to work.
“It’s just nerves.” Franco’s tone was firm.
Dario reached out and gripped Franco’s shoulders. “Listen, if you aren’t sure, back out now. It’ll be best for the both of you—”
&nb
sp; “No. This is what’s best.” He pulled free from his brother’s hold. He turned away from Dario’s concerned look. It’s what was best for his family’s future. It’s what was best for Carla’s very stubborn father. It’s what was best for their respective businesses. “Trust me.”
Silence filled the room, and for a moment all Franco could hear was the pounding of his heart echoing in his ears. In all his life, he never imagined that he’d be standing in this position. Today was his wedding day—a wedding to a woman he didn’t love and who didn’t love him.
And then that last thought struck him. He was worked up over nothing. If they weren’t emotionally invested in this union, there’s no way they could get hurt. There was nothing to worry about. Nothing at all—
“This isn’t right,” Dario said. “You need to take more time to think this marriage over.”
“This from the man who faked his own engagement.” Now when he spoke his voice was calmer, more certain.
“That was different.”
“Was it?” This time it was Franco nailing his little brother with an inquisitive stare. “As I recall, you came up with your fake engagement spontaneously.”
Dario’s gaze narrowed. “I had to do it. You and the family wouldn’t have left me alone to finish the book otherwise, and...and Gianna had her own reasons to go along with it.”
“Yet it all worked out in the end.” He was truly happy for his brother. And though Dario had found his own true love, that didn’t mean Franco would find his.
“But that is different,” Dario said. “Gianna and I had time to get to know each other really well before we said I do. How much do you know about Carla?”
He hadn’t been expecting a pop quiz. “I know that when she smiles, the whole world lights up.” That was no lie. “I know she’s had a lot on her shoulders with her father’s failing health.” He paused as he drew on his memories. “I know that she prefers capellini to spaghetti. I know she loves wine but not scotch.” His gaze searched his brothers. “What else do you want to know? How she likes to be kissed?”
Dario’s face scrunched up in a look of disgust. “Ugh! No. You can keep those details to yourself.”
“Good.” A smug smile came over Franco’s face at his ability to quiet his brother.
The truth of the matter was that Franco had yet to figure out how he could kiss her and not mess up their very delicate working relationship. But that didn’t mean he hadn’t been curious about how her full, luscious lips would feel beneath his.
“You’re sure about this?” Dario asked one last time.
“I am. I know exactly what I’m getting myself into.”
And now that he realized not loving his wife meant that he was protected from any pain when the marriage ended, he just had to keep up the barrier between them.
As for the kiss that he’d been wondering about, well, he would just have to go on wondering. Because he knew that a single kiss with Carla wouldn’t just be a single kiss. It would lead to another kiss and another one until things totally spiraled out of control. And where would that leave them?
He gave himself a mental shake. It would be best just to avoid the whole thing. No kissing. No spiraling out of control. And definitely no falling for beautiful, enticing Carla.
* * *
This all felt so unreal.
Today was her wedding day.
Carla didn’t care how many deep slow breaths she breathed in and blew out or how many times she assured herself that this was only a business arrangement, she couldn’t settle her wildly beating heart. She’d negotiated million-dollar deals—deals that could have crippled her company—and she’d been able to handle them calmly and coolly. Why couldn’t she do that now?
As she followed Franco’s assistant, Mia, through the entrance of the stately villa, she felt as though this whole day was some sort of out-of-body experience. She frantically went over all her options—they were few. In the end, she came back to the same conclusion that she’d come to when she’d masterminded this totally outrageous plan.
They made their way up a set of sweeping steps to the second story. At the end of a very short hallway was a dark wooden door. Mia opened it and stood aside for Carla to enter. When she stepped into the spacious and warmly decorated room, she found she wasn’t alone. Her cousin Gianna was standing out on the small balcony.
Gianna turned and rushed inside. “We need to talk.”
“What’s wrong?” Was it her father? Her heart raced. Had something happened to him?
Gianna smiled. “Relax. It’s good news. But I can’t wait any longer to tell you.”
“Well, tell me.”
“I’m pregnant.” Gianna’s whole face glowed with happiness.
“That’s wonderful!” Carla hugged her cousin. When she pulled back, she said, “Congratulations. I’m going to be, what? A second cousin? Or is it first cousin once removed? That always confuses me.”
“I don’t know about that, but as soon as we get you married, you’ll be the baby’s aunt.” Gianna continued to smile at her like the wedding was the best thing in the world.
Carla swallowed hard as she forced a smile to her face. If only her cousin knew the truth about the wedding, she wouldn’t be so happy. “This is a day for lots of celebrating.” Carla turned to Mia. “Thank you so much for everything. But we’ve got it from here.”
Mia nodded. “But before I go, I wanted to show you what Franco ordered for you.”
“Ordered for me?”
Mia smiled and nodded. And then she showed both women the rack of wedding gowns and maid of honor dresses. There were accessories to choose from. And there were even flowers in her favorite color—plum.
After they thanked Mia for all her help, Franco’s assistant left them alone to go check on the groom. Carla wanted to dislike the woman, who was Franco’s right hand, but she couldn’t. Mia was one of those people who was genuinely nice.
And though Mia spoke highly of her boss, she was also engaged to a man who made her eyes twinkle with love when she mentioned him. Besides, it wasn’t like Carla had any hold over Franco. Sure, they were going to be married, and yes, they’d agreed to be faithful to each other, but that didn’t mean they would have a traditional marriage—a marriage like her parents’.
Immediately, her eyes blurred with unshed tears. In that moment, she realized what was really bothering her—her mother wasn’t here to share this day with her. She’d always thought as a young girl that her beloved mother would be next to her as she reached the major milestones in her life.
Her mother’s absence left a gaping hole in her heart that time hadn’t sufficiently healed. As her gaze moved across the rack of stunning dresses, she realized she’d always thought she’d be trying them on with her mother looking on, helping to choose the right one.
Now she was about to marry a man she didn’t love in order to protect her father from an early grave. And her mother wasn’t there to calm her rising nerves. Nothing about this was right.
Tears dropped onto her cheeks.
“Are you all right?” Gianna moved to her side.
Carla swiped away the tears. “I’m fine. It’s just a lot. And...and I wish my mother was here to share this day with me.”
Gianna hugged her. “She’s here. She wouldn’t miss it.”
Carla pulled back and nodded. “I know. It’s just not the same.”
And if she was looking on, would she understand her daughter’s choices? Would she understand how her abrupt absence had made Carla desperate to keep her father in her life as long as possible?
Gianna turned to Carla. “And you have me. I’ll always be there for you. But why didn’t you tell me?”
At first, Carla thought her cousin knew about the marriage contract, and then she realized that was impossible. Other than the army of attorneys, who weren’t allowed to speak
of it, only three people knew of the marriage contract: her father, Franco and herself. And she was quite certain none of them would speak of it. She knew her father was too proud a man to tell people that he’d been cornered into an agreement to hand over the reins of his company to his daughter in order to get her to marry.
“You mean about the marriage?” Carla moved to the rack of hangers with white garment bags hanging from it.
“Of course the marriage.” Gianna looked at her with an I-can’t-believe-you look. “It...it’s all so sudden.”
“Once we knew what we wanted, we didn’t want to wait.”
Gianna nodded in understanding. “Does your father know you’re marrying a Marchello?”
“Not exactly.” Carla lowered her gaze. “You know how he feels about the Marchellos. If he knew ahead of time, he’d do whatever he could to stop it.”
“I’m so sorry. But he’ll learn to like Franco. He’s a good guy, just like his brother.” Gianna held out her hand. “Let me see the ring.”
Carla turned and held out her hand with a ring that was quite unlike the style of ring she would have expected from Franco. Somehow she’d expected something big and flashy from him. Instead this ring was smaller and modest. It was exactly what she would have selected for herself.
The fact that it was an heirloom piece she still found surprising. Why would he give her something so meaningful? You only gave rings that had been handed down through the family to people you loved. And they did not love each other. Of that she was certain.
Gianna oohed and aahed over it, making Carla feel increasingly uncomfortable.
“Gianna, there’s something I need to tell you—”
“I know. We have to get a move on. We don’t want the bride late for the wedding.”
At that moment, she recalled her agreement with Franco to keep the real reason for the marriage to themselves. It was the only chance their marriage contract would hold up under her father’s scrutiny. And she wasn’t kidding herself into believing that her father wouldn’t fight this marriage. But he had no grounds to win, because they were truly going to be husband and wife. The acknowledgment swept the breath from her lungs.
Falling for Her Convenient Groom Page 4
