I go into a little detail about how this will work. Being that my father has never met Oliver one-point-oh, there’s no chance of him finding out unless we tell him. We just have to sell him on the fact that we love each other, which should be easy enough. Oliver is a great guy, and Devney has sung his praises about being an amazing person.
“I hope not because I really don’t want that on my conscience.”
“I think it’ll be fine. I’ll start coming up with a very in-depth plan. The only other small thing is that . . . well, my aunt gave me her beach house in Myrtle Beach for my—our honeymoon. I have to go or she’ll think something is up. Well, we have to go. It’s important that I stay there for at least one night, but we have it for five days. And you can have it after that one night.”
Oliver sighs deeply. “We’ll figure all that out. I’m not sure taking off before the opening is a good idea, but we can do at least one night.”
I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth and all, but something about this is bothering me slightly. I open my mouth, hesitate, and then decide to ask anyway. “Why are you doing this, Ollie? I know you said you felt bad, but . . . is there something more?”
“I don’t know what it’s like to love one of my parents so much I’d be willing to ask someone I haven’t seen in almost a decade to pretend to marry me. I figure that must be pretty special and rare.” He smiles, and I do as well. “Also, you booked the whole resort and we spent a lot of money to get it ready in time. Therefore, my family threatened to kill me and bury my body somewhere in the woods. Considering my brother-in-law is a wilderness guide, it seemed like a high probability that I would never be found.”
At that, I burst out laughing. “Well, either way, I appreciate it.”
“You say that now, but you’re stuck with me through this.”
I extend my hand to him. “We’re in this together, right?”
He shakes my hand. “God help us both.”
Oliver’s sister wasted little time telling the rest of his family, and two hours after he showed up at Dev’s rental house, I’m sitting at his brother Grayson’s house with the entire clan going over what should happen next.
“How exactly is this going to work?” Grayson asks, tucking his daughter into some swing thing.
I clear my throat. “Well, my family has never met Oliver one-point-oh, and the only thing they really know about him is that he works with me in Virginia Beach.”
“I clearly don’t do that,” Oliver says.
“I know, but I think it’s easy enough to explain. I can say that you are still with the company, but you also help with your family business. The only person who will give us any pushback is Linda, but I’ve gotten good at managing her.”
“You don’t think your dad will be suspicious?” Josh, his oldest brother, asks.
I shrug one shoulder. “He might, but I don’t know that he fully absorbs everything all the time. Sometimes we’ll have a conversation about something, but the next time we speak, he has no recollection of it. It’s horrible, but it just may save us a lot of questions.”
Oliver shakes his head. “I can’t believe I agreed to this. I think your dad is going to figure it out quickly.”
Josh turns to him. “Then you better get busy selling it to everyone, including yourself, that you’re in love with her because we have to pay the chef, kitchen staff, wait staff”—he lifts his hand when Oliver goes to interject something—“which we wouldn’t have hired for this weekend if you hadn’t booked the wedding. The plus side is that this family could use a bit of time together, and a wedding is a good reason to do that. We’ll stay in the vacant rooms and get a firsthand view of the staff.”
Stella speaks next. “And the more you act like this is crazy, the sooner someone will figure it out. So, you should stop.”
Oliver looks to Stella’s husband. “We truly have no money? You didn’t squirrel some of it away?”
He grins. “Nope.”
I know that look. I grab Oliver’s hand. “I know this isn’t ideal, but . . .”
“I know,” Oliver says. “It’s not just about that. I agreed to this to help you too, so I’m going to do what I can to help you pull this off. Now, what about your colleagues who are coming?” he asks me, his voice softening.
“My work friends will be there, but they’re all really . . . good . . . at pretending.”
“What does that mean?”
Yeah, this part is going to be super fun. As much as I’d like to get into it, I can’t with his family here, so I kind of dance around the answer. “I work for a security firm, and we are good at adapting to different scenarios that may arise.”
He blinks. “That’s vague.”
“Yes, and as my fiancé, you would know that since you work there too. It’s fine. We’ll get the story straight. As for everyone else I invited, the only people coming from our mutual past are Devney and Sean.”
“Great, my ex-almost-fiancé and her new husband she left me for.”
I cringe. I knew that them seeing each other was going to be really strange, but now, he’ll have to be around them constantly. She’s the maid of honor and he’s the groom. It won’t just be in passing. I feel terrible. “Is this going to be weird and horrible?”
Stella laughs and then turns her head.
Oliver groans a little. “Yes. No. I don’t know. Devney and I were fine two hours ago, so I’m sure it won’t be a big deal.”
Even though he says it, I can hear the turmoil in his voice. I read the way his body tenses and how he shifts just the smallest amount. He may not love Devney, but the circumstances of their breakup still suck.
She cared for him, and I know that was difficult for them both.
Just one more thing for me to feel guilty about.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m over it, Maren. I really am.”
There’s a cough from somewhere in the room, so I drop it. “Okay. I’m glad.”
“Me too. Honestly, the biggest hurdle is that I have a lot of stuff I need to do at the resort while also playing groom.”
“No worries about that,” Grayson offers. “Since you’re now part of the bridal package, all the work things will be handled by Stella. All you need to do is be the doting fiancé and get a tux.”
All of Oliver’s siblings start to laugh.
“Fuck off.”
Grayson chuckles and turns to me. “Your dad arrives in what, two days?”
“Yeah,” I answer.
“That means you have forty-eight hours to figure out how to convince him that you’re madly in love with her, can’t keep your eyes off her, and that he should let you have the thing he loves most in this world. As a dad of girls, I can tell you that you’re not good enough.”
“I’m aware of that.” Oliver’s voice is so low I almost missed it, but then his voice grows to a normal level. “I’m not worried about her dad. Dads love me. Everyone loves me.”
“I don’t always,” Stella adds on.
“Liar.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine, you’re lovable, but that’s not what we’re talking about, and you know it.”
He turns to me. “Will you be able to find me irresistible?”
The flutters in my stomach tell me everything. “I can manage it.”
“It’s because of my stellar looks and winning personality.”
I laugh, and it’s so big and heartfelt and real that I might cry. “Yes, because of all that.”
“See,” Oliver says while looking around. “She can’t resist me. Now, let’s talk about how we’re going to get the resort ready.”
They launch into business talk, and I spend time forming the rest of my plans to make this actually work.
Seven
MAREN
I open my suitcase and take out all the documents I need for today. Oliver is coming over to pick me up so we can head to the municipal building. He asked why we needed a marriage license when we weren’t really getting marr
ied, and I had to explain to him just how horrid Linda was. She would want to see it, and if we didn’t cough it up, she would throw a fit.
When I step into the living room, I find Sean playing a video game with Austin while Cassie is napping.
Sean looks up and pauses the game. “I think Devney and I should talk to Oliver today before all the lies and deceit really kick into gear.”
I huff. “It’s one white lie.”
“No.” He chuckles. “It’s a white gown and a big-ass lie.”
He glances to Devney, who looks up from whatever she’s reading. “It’s probably a good idea. I haven’t really gotten to talk to him since we got here because you pretty much stunned him stupid when you proposed.”
Sean chuckles. “You said he was enamored, not stunned.”
I glance at Sean. “What does that mean?”
“She mentioned he had a deer-in-the-headlights look when he saw you,” he explains. “She said he couldn’t stop staring and that he might have been drooling.”
I snap my gaze to her. “He did not. He was confused.”
Devney shrugs. “I was watching.”
“He was looking at you.”
She lifts one shoulder and then returns to her book. “I didn’t see it that way.”
I’m not sure what they’re talking about. I was watching Oliver too. He was uncomfortable the whole time. He only stared at me when I told him I needed him to be the groom.
A car pulls into the driveway, and all I can think about is how wrong Devney is.
However, I can’t change any of this.
There’s a knock on the door and the three of us stand. I release a heavy sigh and open it. “Hey.”
Oliver smiles. “Hi.”
There’s a small flutter in my stomach when he steps closer, but I tamp it down, unsure of what it is about. “Do you . . . want to come in?”
He shifts his weight and then nods. “Of course. I’d like to see everyone and say hi.”
I wonder if he honestly feels that way or if he’s doing it to appear unfazed by seeing Devney and Sean together.
As soon as I step aside, Sean moves forward. “Oliver, it’s good to see you.” He extends his hand, and Oliver takes it.
“You too, man. I saw your last game in the playoffs. Such a fucking bad call.”
Sean shrugs. “It was a tough blow, but we’ll get them next year.”
Devney comes toward us. “Ollie.” Her smile is warm as she reaches to give him a hug.
I wait to see if he stiffens or pulls away, but it’s almost natural. He doesn’t look uncomfortable or regretful. He releases her and steps back, looking toward the living room. “I heard you guys had a baby?”
Sean smiles as though he can’t help himself when he thinks of his daughter. “We did. She’s a few months old, and . . .”
“Sean, guess what?” Austin barrels into the room and then looks up. “Oliver!”
“Austin, my man, look at you!” Oliver squats down and pulls him into his arms. “You’re so big.”
Austin looks overjoyed, and my heart swells. My father always said you can tell a lot about a person by the way kids react to them. It’s clear that Austin has a deep affection for Oliver.
The two of them chat about baseball, and Sean rubs the top of Austin’s hair. “He’s really remarkable,” Sean explains.
“I remember going to his games and thinking how talented he was,” Ollie says with a smile. “It’s really great seeing you guys. I’m honestly happy that everything worked out for you all. Truly. I know people say that when they’re in this situation, but I mean it.”
Devney wraps her arm around Sean and leans into him. “You have no idea how much that means to me. I hated that I hurt you. It wasn’t easy. I promise you that.”
“I know,” Oliver says easily. “I think things worked out exactly how they were meant to.”
Sean laughs. “You mean with you getting talked into marrying Maren?”
I roll my eyes. “We’re not actually getting married. I’m just doing what I can for my dad.”
“You don’t think this is a good plan either?” Oliver asks Sean.
“Hell no I don’t. As a father, I would be devastated if I found out my daughter lied about getting married. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why Maren wants to give her dad this, but I worry it’ll all backfire.”
I worry the same, but I have plans. Plans and contingencies, which means I’ll be able to get through this successfully.
Or I’ll die trying.
“All right,” I say. “While I’d love to sit and talk about how this is going to fail and disappoint everyone, Oliver and I have things we need to do.” I turn to Devney. “You’re going to handle the room stuff and finalize the itinerary today, right?”
She nods. “I’ll take care of everything on my list.”
Oliver furrows his brows. “What room stuff?”
“We have welcome bags for everyone, and Stella and Devney are going to update all the names on the programs so they match the new plan.”
“And the itinerary?” he asks.
“Well, we have to do things to keep people occupied for a week. Stella is who helped me come up with it yesterday, but we have to reprint everything.”
He runs his hand through his hair. “I just . . . I have stuff to do at the resort. I’m not sure how I’m going to split all my time.”
“I’ll help,” I offer. “I’m really good at planning.”
He smiles. “I see that.”
He has no idea . . .
“You’re getting married?” the little old lady behind the counter at the registrar’s office asks.
“I am, Mrs. Garner,” Oliver replies smoothly as he places his hand on my back.
“Oh! This is just wonderful! I have to tell Marivett, she’ll be just floored. Delia didn’t tell us you were getting married when we were over visiting with her and Josh the other day. Heavens me, I am just beside myself. Who would’ve believed this? Another Parkerson tying the knot so quickly. And you, my sweet, wonderful Oliver, you’re nothing like that wastrel of a father you have. Thank God for that. You’re a fine young man, just like your brothers and Stella of course. Why, if I were younger, I would be chasing you around this town.”
Oliver shakes his head. “You wouldn’t have had to chase me far. I might have even let you catch me. Now, about the license?”
Mrs. Garner ignores him. “And you’re just a vision. What’s your name, sweetheart? And how did you meet our Oliver? He’s so dreamy it’s no wonder you’re in love with him.”
“I’m Maren, and we went to college together.” At least that isn’t a lie.
“Oh, and you realized that you were in love from the start?” She clutches her hand to her chest. “I’m sure you saw him from across the room and just knew. Like magic. I think love is like that. You see someone and boom . . . it happens. That’s how it was for me, you see. I met my husband in first grade. He was a stupid boy because they all are at that age. When we got out of school, he went to work for his daddy and I went away to college. When I came back, we saw each other and were married a week later. Your story must be so romantic. Nothing like those two girls beforehand who broke your heart.”
“Something like that,” Oliver says under his breath. “Would you be able to get us the forms, Mrs. Garner? I have to take Maren to a few other places today.”
“Yes. Of course. I’ll need you both to fill this out and then we’ll issue the certificate today.”
“Thanks,” he says. When she walks away, he turns to me. “This is going to be an issue.”
“What?”
“In about ten minutes, the entire town will know about our upcoming wedding. I’m going to have to explain to everyone what happened when you never return to town.” He runs his hands through his hair. “I didn’t even consider this. Shit.”
It’s a good thing I have already thought of this issue. “You just need to blame me and tell everyone that I’m a horrible
girl who broke your heart. They will see how you’re the victim.”
He shakes his head and gets to work with his portion of the form. “It doesn’t work that way for the Parkerson men.”
“Why?”
“My father is a piece of shit. He’s known around here for being a cheater, manipulator, and jackass. People here will assume I’m at fault no matter what I tell them because of him.”
Oliver finishes and hands it to me. I take it, filling out all the appropriate boxes, still a little shellshocked we are doing this.
“She seemed to love you,” I note absently, pondering over his statement about his father.
“Not sure that will stop the gossip. It won’t really matter that I’m nothing like him or that I’m the easygoing Parkerson who laughs at everything.”
“I remember that about you,” I say softly.
I never really thought about why he did that. Why he always seemed to make himself the center of the laugh. Maybe it was because he was trying so hard not to be so serious.
“Yeah, well, nothing about this will be funny when the town sees our marriage fails and I look like the man I loathe.”
“I’m sorry, Ollie.” And I really am. I hate putting him through this. I scrawl my signature at the bottom and turn to him. “I want you to know that no matter what gossip is spread, you are a hero to me. You’re kind and helping a friend when you didn’t have to. I know you have reasons to do this as well and while it’s not completely selfless, you have the best intentions.”
Before Oliver can comment, Mrs. Garner is back. “Are you done with the form, honey?”
Oliver hands the filled out form to her. “Here you go.”
She takes it with a smile, looking at me. “You are so beautiful. It’s no wonder Oliver couldn’t help but fall in love with you.”
I smile. “Thank you. It’s me who is the lucky one though.”
He chuckles. “Clearly, we know that’s not true. Mrs. Garner has known me since I was in diapers and is well aware of my failings.”
She makes a dismissive noise. “You are nothing close to a failure, Oliver Parkerson. You were always my favorite.”
A Chance for Us (Willow Creek Valley Book 4) Page 5
