The Star's Fake Marriage

by Bree Livingston

  He nodded. “Okay, I’m on board with that.”

  “Um, I can’t think of any more rules. Those are the most basic. If we think of any, we can just add them. Unless you have some.”

  “No, I can’t think of any better. I mean, the contract is pretty thorough. We’re exclusive, we show up for label functions, and if either of us tells anyone this is fake, we’re sued.”

  “Yeah, the lawyer that wrote it seemed to think of everything. But if you do think of something, just tell me,” she said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She’d left it down, and now it was bugging her. If only she’d been able to pick the restaurant, she’d have picked something much less formal. With the stuffy clothes and uneasiness, a fancy dinner just added to the discomfort.

  Once the elevator doors opened, Callie eyed the four hulking men standing just outside. Huh. She hadn’t thought about Tucker needing protection, but she should have. Was this what it would be like to live in his world?

  She clung a bit more tightly to Tucker’s arm as the bodyguards surrounded them. When they got to the limo, two of the men got in first, followed by Callie and Tucker, with the other two filing in behind them. Callie didn’t know if she felt safe or insulted, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

  Again, the silence stretched between them the rest of the ride and then didn’t stop, even when they were seated at the restaurant across from one another. The restaurant was empty, which only added to the awkwardness. Maybe his label CEO was worried about something leaking and didn’t want anyone to see them together yet.

  A waiter stopped at their table, taking their drink orders and leaving them menus. Tucker ordered a water, until Callie told the waiter she wanted sweet tea, and then he changed his order to match hers.

  Callie wanted to say something to break the uncomfortable silence, but she had no idea what. Is this what being fake married would be like when they were alone? Awkward meals and uncomfortable silence? Shouldn’t they be chatting it up by now? If not, how would they present themselves as a new couple in love?

  Callie blinked at the menu. An entire year of this? She knew it wasn’t going to be simple or easy, but she hadn’t figured it would be excruciatingly hard.

  Finally, the waiter returned to take their order. She glanced over her options and was glad to see the restaurant had a simple chicken pasta dish, but what she really wanted was a cheeseburger. Not the fancy kind they listed on the menu, though. Her idea of a good burger didn’t include duck fat or some weird foam.

  Tucker took a sip of his tea and sighed. “I guess we get to know each other now?”

  Whew. She was so glad he was taking the lead. It meant she didn’t have to feel like she was prying. “I guess so. Where do we start?”

  He shrugged. “Well, tell me about you.”

  “Okay. My parents are Clementine and Francis Chapman. My mom is an accountant, and my dad is a lawyer. I have four sisters: Rachel, Vivian, Michelle, and Georgia. As far as age, I’m in between Vivian and Michelle. My sister Georgia is getting married this coming weekend, and then I’ll be the only spinster in the bunch—my mom’s words, not mine.”

  “Wow. Big family.”

  “Yeah. Are you sure you want to go to my sister’s wedding? I mean, there’s even a schedule, complete with family talent show. And believe me, if you show up, they’ll expect you to perform. Georgia will also demand that you sing for her wedding.”

  A small laugh trickled out. “It’ll be fine. Does your family always do weddings like that?”

  She shrugged and rubbed her thumb down her sweaty glass. “Well, it’s more like my mom, and my sisters just dealt with it. How about you?”

  Not that she didn’t know quite a bit about him. They’d talked about a lot of things when they dated, but it seemed easier at this point to pretend she didn’t.

  “My parents are Elise and David Hawk. I have a best friend, Chris. He’s touring as a guitarist for the Howling Rednecks right now, so I haven’t seen much of him lately. It’s nice when I go home because they all treat me like a regular guy. So much so that I get the privilege of picking up after Banjo.”

  “Banjo?”

  “My parent’s Great Dane.”

  Yeah, she remembered something about a huge dog. “Whoa. That’s a lot of pick-up privilege.”

  He laughed. “You have no idea.”

  “We had a dog when I was little. His name was Mutty.”

  “Mutty?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, he was a mutt we got from the pound, and we’re a family of unoriginal thinkers.”

  Tucker tipped his head back, and the laugh that poured out was throaty and warm.

  Callie’s insides bubbled like they’d been heated with actual fire. Good heavens, what a laugh. Was his laugh that great when they were together eight years ago?

  “That’s funny. And I thought Banjo was bland because I play the banjo.”

  “You play the banjo?” she asked, pretending like she didn’t remember. It wasn’t something he did in public, and most people who didn’t know him wouldn’t know that particular little detail. They also didn’t know the twinkle he got in his eye when he talked about it. Those blue eyes of his would light up, and it was like he was nine and talking about his favorite superhero. That wasn’t something she could ever forget, and she could see that sparkle again.

  “Yeah, I’ve played it since I was a kid, but not in public. It’s something I only do for myself.”

  “I love the banjo. Well, I love Bluegrass music.”

  He tilted his head as though he was surprised. “Really?”

  Would he remember her now? “I’ve loved it since I was a teenager and heard Alison Krauss and Union Station play.”

  “‘Faraway Land’? Do you know that one?”

  “I love Ron Block!” She sang a couple of lines and teared up.

  “Wow, you’re pretty good.”

  The heat in her cheeks ran to her ears as she waved him off. “No, I’m not, but I love Ron. He’s a brilliant lyricist.”

  Tucker nodded. “I rarely meet anyone who knows his songs. He’s the one who inspired me to first start writing my own songs.”

  She knew that. Tucker’s songs were deep and soulful and touching. They came from the heart, and you could feel it all the way to your core.

  “I’m not shocked at all. I could tell on your last album that the songs were written by other people. The songs from your first two albums were wonderful, and the newest ones didn’t have your typical depth.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, realizing she’d just spilled more than she wanted.

  He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. It was the smile she was used to seeing when he was playing a part. “I take it you’re a fan?”

  How could he not remember her when it seemed like she had a photographic memory? Had he meant more to her than she’d meant to him? Should she tell him? Nope. If he didn’t remember her, then she must not have meant that much to him. It would only make things that much more uncomfortable.

  “Yeah, I’m a fan,” she said with a soft nod.

  “At least you know my music. That’s good.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “It’s fantastic.”

  His arms dropped to his lap. “That doesn’t sound fantastic.”

  “I just don’t want to be relegated to fan status. I’ve followed your career since you performed at Tex and Song. It was my last year at Vanderbilt, and I was out with some friends when we ducked into the bar.” The words had poured out before she could stop them.

  “Tex and Song?” He sucked in a deep breath as he studied her. His eyes narrowed before he said, “I know you. Callie?”

  She shrugged. “Uh, yeah?”

  “Why didn’t you remind me?”

  “I didn’t want to bring it up and make you think I was just telling a story if you didn’t remember me.”

  He smiled and seemed relieved. “Oh, I remember you. We’d hang out after my concerts.”

  Talk about a knife to the
heart. They hung out? That’s it? “Yep, that’s me.”

  “And you’re still a fan?” He leaned forward with his arms on the table.

  Sure, why not. “Oh yeah, you were…are great. I think you have the best voice ever. And you were so different than other artists. You had this sweet nature about you. I don’t know. I just…” She squeezed her eyes shut and clamped her lips closed. What was it about him that made her mouth run on autopilot?

  “Just what?” he asked in a silky-smooth tone.

  It was then that she realized how close she was to him. His spicy cologne enveloped her, making her dizzy.

  She leaned back, giving herself some space to hopefully clear her head enough to think.

  “Um, just…” What should she say? “That I thought you were really talented. It was easy to see that you’d be famous one day.”

  “Is that all?” Whoa. When had he learned to smolder like that? And that smirk? Wow.

  “Yep,” she squeaked. She desperately needed a subject change. “So, is it different, performing for bigger crowds?”

  “A lot different. Sometimes, I miss performing for those small venues where I could see everyone. It’s easier to read whether someone likes something when you can see their eyes.”

  Callie nodded. “I can see that. It must be hard when you can’t tell if someone is being honest or not.”

  “It is.” He caught her gaze and held it. “I wish you’d told me who you were when I picked you up. Admittedly, it’s still a little fuzzy.”

  Well, if he needed reassurance… “The first time I saw you perform, you were wearing a green plaid button-up with jeans. You had these old snakeskin boots too. That night, the sole of one of them came off, and you tripped.” She giggled at the memory. His cheeks had turned a blistering color of red, but he’d smiled and played it off like it was nothing.

  “I remember that. You really were there.”

  “Yeah, I was. That night you were so fantastic. You sang this song you’d written. ‘Wild Love.’”

  His lips parted, and he looked at her like he was seeing her with new eyes. “That’s right. I wrote that about my first love from high school. We dated my senior year, but she decided she didn’t want to be tied down, so she broke it off with me.”

  “Oh, it was just beautiful and poignant. I carried those words with me for a long time. I would use your performance schedule as a study incentive. If I got my work done, I could go wherever you were performing. If not, I had to stay home.”

  “Did you ever not get your work done?”

  “Never.” She smiled.

  He returned her smile with one that was so dazzling she nearly wished she had sunglasses. “I’ll take that as a huge compliment.”

  She waved him off. “Like you don’t get tons of compliments.”

  “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but that was the best I’ve received in a long time.” He paused. “Thank you.” His voice was soft, and the way his eyes sparkled made her glad she was seated.

  Inwardly, she checked herself. They had one thing in common, and now that he sort of remembered her, she was sure he was just being pleasant. Once the marriage was over, he’d want her to have good things to say about him. As long as she kept that thought in the forefront of her mind, she’d walk away from this thing unscathed.

  Chapter 4

  Once the waiter returned with their meals, Callie glanced down at her plate. Nothing about her had changed, except maybe her hair. It was longer when they dated. Derek had called her average? The man was insane. She was gorgeous back then and even more so now. Callie and the word “homely” weren’t even in the same solar system.

  Why had he pretended they’d never dated? The second she opened the door, he remembered her. She wasn’t a woman a man forgets. Her smile was the sweetest, and her legs were a mile long. But he’d had to make a choice back then.

  His manager at the time had convinced him that a girlfriend would hold him back, and like an idiot, he’d listened. By the time he dumped his manager, his career had taken off, and things always seemed to get in the way. Why had he let her get away?

  The pale-blue strapless dress she wore complimented her tanned skin. Softly curled light-brown hair flowed around her shoulders and looked like satin—so silky and touchable―and her dark eyes were intense and expressive. And beyond looks, she was a fan of Ron Block. He’d remembered that too. Talking about Ron had broken the ice when they first met and led to really hitting it off.

  Having her on his arm and then sitting so close to her on the ride over made him dizzy. She still used the same bodywash, the grapefruit kind that he’d loved. The smell had filled the entire limo, and he had to resist the urge to lean over and smell her. Talk about awkward.

  He’d seen the disappointment in her eyes when he acted like he didn’t recognize her, and he hated that, but he’d learned to be cautious. People only saw him as a means to an end. Derek used him. Stacey used him. Petra had used him. It’d been a long time since he’d seen Callie. What if she’d changed? What if she wanted to use him too?

  She cut into her chicken and took a bite. When her eyes closed, it seemed like she was savoring it.

  “Oh, wow. I didn’t know chicken could taste this good. Doesn’t beat a well-cooked bacon cheeseburger, but it’ll work.” She lifted her head and smiled at him.

  He returned her smile, remembering she always did like the simpler things in life. “You’d have preferred a burger joint?”

  “Guilty as charged. This situation is already uncomfortable. Let’s throw an expensive dress and some heels into the mix and dial it up to eleven.”

  Tucker laughed. She was witty, and humor had always been his weakness when it came to a woman. One of the reasons he’d liked her so long ago.

  “I’d have preferred that too, but I think they wanted to keep it fancy and upscale because they could control it easier.”

  “Yeah, cause nothing says control like an empty restaurant and duck-fat-basted chicken, even if it is tasty.”

  “I didn’t say they were right.”

  She chuckled and set her fork down. After holding eye contact a moment, she sighed.

  “Can we be friends? Like, not famous person and crazy fan, but real friends? I don’t know how I’m supposed to get through the next year just existing with someone. I’m not saying we have to lay our souls bare, but ‘I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine’ seems like a good compromise.”

  Friends? He didn’t have many of those anymore. Well, none, if he really thought about it. And as great as he remembered things being with her, he wasn’t looking for anything more than that. He did wonder why she didn’t hate him like everyone else, especially after he left her like he did.

  “Why don’t you despise me?” Although, from what Derek said, she was getting paid. A half a million would go a long way to bridging the hate gap.

  She shrugged and chewed her bottom lip. “Why would I hate you?”

  “Because I ruined my image. I may as well have stolen the Baby Jesus out of a nativity scene with as horrible as I behaved.”

  “I’m not fishing, I promise, and you don’t have to say anything…” She paused a moment, locking eyes with him. “I think something happened to you, and like most people who have been hurt, you did stupid things to cope.”

  Tucker’s pulse jumped. It felt as though she was looking right through him. What could he say to that? You’re right? He’d gone this long, keeping everything bottled up, and he wasn’t about to share what happened with anyone now, no matter how drawn to her or how at ease he felt.

  Smiling his best fake smile, he said, “Well, I guess it’s good you don’t hate me, since we’re getting married tomorrow.” Maybe she’d take the hint that he wasn’t willing to talk about it and let it go.

  Her smile was tight, and she nodded. “Right. So, can we? Be friends? Just a little? My favorite color is pale pink. I’m not afraid of the dark as long as my feet are under the covers. I like long walks on t
he beach, as cliché as that sounds. I love Dr. Pepper, oak trees—the Angel Oak in South Carolina is amazing, Rainier cherries, and I love the simple things in life like books and chaise lounges and movie nights with popcorn.”

  He remembered all that too. She drank more Dr. Pepper than he thought humanly possible.

  What could go wrong if he told her he remembered them dating? Like tick marks, a list of reasons formed in his mind. Maybe she’d expect to pick up things where they left off or want more than he could give. After Petra, his heart wasn’t ready, and he wasn’t sure how long it’d take before he was able to think about another relationship.

  He glanced at her dress. “Pale blue seems to be more your color. I’d have to see pale pink to know if it works.”

  Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, and he had to admit she looked good in pink too. “Uh…well…um…”

  “Oh, don’t tell me you aren’t used to getting compliments.”

  “Not from anyone who matters.” She spoke so softly he was sure he heard her wrong. “I do, but…thanks.” She took a long drink of water. “How about you? Likes? Dislikes?”

  Was it possible she didn’t remember their time together as well as he did? “I do like movie nights, but if I’m having popcorn, I like M&M’s and Junior Mints tossed in it.”

  “Both? See, I like Reese’s pieces and cups in there.”

  Tucker leaned forward, memories continuing to flood back, and his mouth watered. Wow, she really hadn’t changed much.

  “I’ve never tried that. Is it good?” He should just tell her he remembered. It would make things easier. Why couldn’t he make his mouth work?

  “Life-changing.”

  He tipped his head back, laughing. “What’s your favorite movie?” That’s a good way to reconnect with someone, right?

  “P.S. I Love You. Well, that one and Music and Lyrics.” She smiled, and something flashed in her eyes. They’d watched it together. Did she remember too? If she did, why wasn’t she saying anything? But what right did he have to judge her when he was doing the same thing? Maybe she had her reasons for pretending too.