by Nia Arthurs
“How do you know that?”
“Because she’s the most loving, giving person I know.”
“You don’t understand mothers. They still see their sons as these precious babies they carried for nine months and—”
“She didn’t.”
I pause. “What?”
“Mom didn’t carry me for nine months.”
“It was a surrogate?”
His lips twitch. “No.”
“So then…?”
“I’m adopted.”
My body levitates straight out of my chair.
“Hansley, I—”
“Didn’t know?” He smirks and shakes his head. “Because I don’t advertise it.”
“How old were you when you went to live with them?”
“Five.”
“And your birth parents?”
He shrugs.
My heart aches for him. “I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be. I was fortunate enough to get adopted by the world’s best couple.”
I study his face intently. There’s something in his voice. Some darkness that I can’t touch, but that I can feel. It’s the same brokenness I sensed when we first met at Make It Marriage.
It makes me want to reach out and hug him. I rest my head on his shoulder instead.
His entire body rumbles with a chuckle. “Did that put your mind at ease?”
“Am I terrible if I admit that it did?” My voice lowers to a whisper. “I’m still nervous, but I really can’t wait to meet your mom.”
Hansley takes my hand and holds it in his lap.
We both nap on the plane as last night didn’t exactly lend itself to getting a proper amount of rest.
I wake to him gently shaking my shoulders and glance outside.
We’re at the airport.
“Ready for this?” Hansley helps me up.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
In one hour, our month of fake marriage begins.
Our first test?
Convincing his parents we’re totally in love.
Hansley reaches over my head to get my carry-on and his biceps ripple in the light. All the women in the cabin swoon as he pulls my luggage down and smiles at me.
My heart jumps against my ribs, beating out of time.
Failing this test isn’t an option, but succeeding might be just as dangerous.
Eighteen
Hansley
The ranch where my parents moved after retirement sits on a vast acreage. Tall oak trees wave their leaves as we leave the spiral gate behind and drive toward the massive cabin-style house at the end of the road.
Asia has the window drawn all the way down. Her eyes take in everything in an almost, child-like awe.
Her lips are relaxed.
Almost curving up into a smile.
I smile in response.
Telling her about my adoption was an impulsive decision, but I’m glad I made it. She’s completely at ease now and it shows.
Why did you tell her in the first place?
That’s a worry for another day. Right now, I’m hoping we can get through to my parents, calm all their doubts and get on the first plane back to the city. The sooner we’re back on our turf, the better I’ll feel.
The front door bangs open the moment I cut the engine. My mother bounces out of the house, her long, black hair streaming behind her. She’s dressed in a loose khaki skirt and a red blouse. Her white smile beams my way, rivaling the sun.
I climb out of the car and catch her soundly when she flings herself at me. Her sweet, vanilla scent wafts over my shoulders, dragging memories of bedtime stories, goodnight kisses, and an idyllic childhood to mind.
Dad moves calmly down the steps, slow and steady. I wince when I note how carefully he’s moving. His arthritis must be kicking in again.
Mom steps back and joins dad’s side as I open the car door for Asia. “Mom and dad, I’d like you to meet my wife.”
“Hello.” Asia flutters her fingers. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Her voice is steady, but her hand trembles. She’s putting on a brave face and I admire her even more for it. After hearing how Thad’s mother treated her and warning her about the impression our video might have made on my parents, she’s holding up well.
Not that I doubted she would.
Mom gives her a long, surveying look. “Likewise, dear.”
Dad grunts.
His usual language. He’s a man of few words, while mom can talk the ears off anyone who’ll give her the chance. Despite their differences, they work well together, playing off each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Asia adds, nodding awkwardly.
“Well, we haven’t heard a thing about you,” mom says. There’s still a smile on her face, but her words have enough steel behind them to warn us not to be fooled.
I tighten my hold on Asia. “Mom.”
“What?” Her blue eyes fix on me. “It’s true.”
“If this is how you’re going to behave, we’re going to head back.”
“Hansley!”
“I mean it, mom.”
“Hey.” Asia squeezes my hand and whispers, “Stop.”
I relax my stare, but I don’t take back the threat.
I wasn’t just saying what Asia wanted to hear on the plane. I’m willing to back up every word.
My mother means the world to me, but I won’t tolerate anyone disrespecting Asia or making her feel like she’s in the wrong.
As much as I understand my mother’s hurt and frustration, she doesn’t know the full story. Asia’s taking on the burden of both Make It Marriage and Nicholas & McQueen’s issues on her slim shoulders. If I can’t relieve her of worry, at the very least I can keep from adding any weight to the load.
That includes protecting her from all harm.
Even if that danger’s coming from my loving, well-meaning mother.
Mom pins her lips together and sends me a disapproving look.
Dad clears his throat. “Why don’t we go inside?”
“Yes.” Mom forces a smile. “This way.”
I place my fingers on the small of Asia’s back as we follow my parents.
She glances up at me, her nose scrunched. “Why are you being so intense? Your mom’s going to hate me even more.”
“Am I supposed to roll over and do nothing?”
“I’ll handle it,” she whispers hotly. “So stop trying to defend me. Your mom’s not the enemy and you’re only making it worse.”
“Ehem.”
Asia and I freeze.
Mom turns around, an amused smirk on her lips. “You both know that we can hear you, right?”
“Oh.” Asia places a hand to her lips. “Oh, I—”
“It’s fine. I supposed I earned that.” Mom opens the front door and ushers us in.
Asia glances around and I try to imagine what this place must look like from her eyes. It’s an open floor plan. Lots of space. Lots of windows—mom loves having tons of natural light.
The decor is that homey, rustic vibe that is meant to look worn, but actually costs thousands.
“You have a lovely home, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Mom gets settled in the sofa.
I fall in next to Asia and rest my arm on the back of the couch, letting my fingers hover right over her shoulder.
Dad takes his favorite armchair and faces me.
Mom clears her throat. “Let’s not bother with the polite banter and get straight to the point.” She pins me with a hard stare that would scare the life out of me if I were ten.
I squirm and glance away.
To be honest, it still gets me a little restless and I’m twice her size.
Mom lists my sins. “You snuck off to Vegas and got married without so much as a text. We found out about it through friends sharing tabloid links.” Mom lifts her chin. “Hansley, explain yourself.”
“We’re in love—”
“It was an
accident!” Asia blurts.
Mom’s eyes widen.
Dad leans forward.
I glance at Asia in shock. “What are you doing?”
“It’s the truth.”
“That’s not the plan,” I hiss in her ear.
“Are you going to sit there and lie to your mom? I can’t do that.”
“Asia…”
She looks past me to my parents. “Four days ago, I was engaged to someone else…”
The whole story pours out of her lips.
I sit in stunned silence as Asia keeps going.
When she’s one, she clasps her hands together. “I understand if you’re upset, but I want you to know that,” she swings my way, “Hansley was only trying to comfort me. We made a big decision under the influence, but his heart was in the right place.”
“She’s making it sound like I was a saint. I assure you, mom. That wasn’t the case.”
“Oh, I know it wasn’t. I’m not that blind.” Mom frowns at me.
“He married me out of pity,” Asia says.
“That’s not true.”
“It was.” She insists.
“No,” I growl.
“Then why did you do it?”
I grit my teeth, unable to give her an answer that makes sense.
I married her because I wanted to.
Because it felt right in the moment.
Because she’d been on my mind everyday.
But that’s not a conversation we need to have with my parents looking on like spectators at a wrestling match.
The silence stretches.
“Thought so,” Asia says in a prissy voice that makes me want to kiss her so hard she forgets her own name.
Mom clears her throat. “Thank you for telling me the truth, dear. Lord knows my own son would have pulled the wool over my eyes.”
“I doubt this marriage will hold up in court,” Dad says thoughtfully.
“He’s a lawyer.” Mom grins. “Recently retired.”
Dad looks at me. “You were both intoxicated which means you couldn’t give proper consent. That would make it a defective marriage and you could easily—”
“We’re not getting it annulled,” I say sharply.
“Why?” Mom asks.
I speak up before Asia can tell my parents about the Jensen contract and the Make It Marriage PR scramble. “Because the way we started out isn’t the way we plan to end.”
“Hansley…”
“What matters is we’re legally bound now.”
Mom narrows her eyes. “Is that right, Asia?”
“Um…”
“Since we’ve poured our hearts out, do you mind if we get settled?” I drag her to her feet. “It was a long flight.”
“Your room’s right where you left it. Asia can have the guest—”
“She’s staying with me, Mom,” I declare, pulling Asia to the room I stay in when I visit my parents.
Mom’s quiet laughter informs me that she was just kidding about the rooms, and I feel a brush of unease when I realize that I overreacted.
The thought of not having Asia in my arms when I fall asleep tonight already bothers the hell out of me. It’s only been a day since we got married. A long, unending eventful day.
But it’s also been one of the best days of my life.
The darkness that’s been over my head these past few months is gone.
Completely.
My heart no longer screams when I think about Sharon.
Even now, when Asia’s glaring at me like she’s gearing up for a scolding, I want to back her up into the wall and taste her sweet lips again.
I want to make her smile and laugh and steal her food and watch her eyes narrow in that way she does when she’s annoyed.
I want to free her bottom lip when she’s chewing on it and erase every worry in her mind.
I want that.
Need that.
Even if it scares the hell out of me.
Nineteen
Asia
Hansley locks the bedroom door and turns to me, his eyes darkening by the second. The air around us changes, but it’s not with the passion that lit up my body when he pressed me into the door and kissed me back at the boutique.
I fold my arms over my chest and hold my ground. “What?”
“Nice job, Asia.” Exasperation seeps into his expression. “You sang like a bird.”
“What did you want me to do?”
“Stick to the plan.”
“I couldn’t.”
“I noticed. You were having so much fun sharing secrets. Why’d you stop at our wedding? Why didn’t you tell my parents about the first time you smoked a cig or ran a red light.”
“First of all, I have never done either of those things.”
He snorts. “I bet.”
“I did what I thought was best.”
"We had a plan.”
“Screw the plan. It wouldn’t have worked.”
“Well, it won’t work now.”
“We married a total stranger.” I slap my chest. “We did that. We screwed up. How could I make it worse by pretending it was intentional. Everyone who knows me will know that’s not true. I’m betting it’s the same for you. Unless I’m the second wife you sprung on your parents after a weekend drinking way too much?”
His jaw clenches. “You know that’s not the case.”
“Your parents aren’t dumb. There’s no way they’d buy the story we agreed on. I had to think fast.”
He blinks. “Wait, that was planned?”
“Don’t insult me, Hansley.”
He grabs my wrist to keep me from pacing. “Seriously? You weren’t just caving? You made that decision on the fly?”
“Your mom is intimidating, but I know how to handle myself. A lie needs to have some truth in it to be convincing.”
He gives me a lopsided smile. “I’m impressed.”
I toss my hair over my shoulder. “As you should be.”
He laughs.
“They’ll believe us now that we have a firmer foundation to stand on. We just have to hammer in the nails.”
“You’re scary.” Hansley shakes his head. “Way too good at this.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
There’s a knock on the door.
“Hansley?” His mom yells. “Asia?”
My body floods with nerves. “What do we do?” I whisper.
“Just play it cool.”
I panic and charge him. Hansley lets out a muffled grunt as I collide with his chest and we both go flying into the bed. Our bodies flop on the soft mattress.
A moment later, his mom pokes her head through the door and sees us. “I was wondering if—oh, my.”
“Mom?” Hansley twists his neck to speak to her.
“The door was open…” She blushes.
“We were just—” I scramble off him, “testing the bed.” I bounce on it a couple times. “It’s springy.”
“That’s… good.”
“Did you need something?” Hansley asks, trying not to laugh.
“Have you guys eaten lunch yet?”
“We ate on the flight,” I say politely.
Hansley shakes his head. “We could eat, mom.”
“Are you kidding?” I fling him a dark look. “You ate everything on your plate.”
“And you hardly ate anything.”
“Your mom doesn’t have to worry about me,” I mumble.
Mrs. Nicholas slants me a concerned look. “Was the food not good?”
“It was great. Asia was too nervous to do anything but pick at it.” Hansley laughs when I pretend to punch him. “It’s true.”
“I’ll throw something together then.” A pleased smile tilts his mom’s lips.
“Let me at least help you.” I try to roll off the bed.
Hansley snatches my wrist and hauls me back on top of him. “In a minute.”
I cast a horrified look at his mother.
He holds
on tight. “She’ll be down in fifteen, ma.”
His mother quietly closes the door.
“Hansley!” I screech.
He tightens his arms around my waist. “Let’s get back to what we were doing before my mom walked in.”
“We do that only when your parents are looking.”
Hansley chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest and filling my body with warmth. “You’re surprisingly strong. I felt my soul leave my body when you pushed me.”
“That’s YouTube exercise videos and good genes.”
His fingers graze up and down my arm. “As much as I’m enjoying this, making out every time my parents come around isn’t the way to convince them we’re in love.”
“Then?”
He hikes up on one elbow and brings his face close to mine. Leaning in, he kisses me softly. “Just do what feels natural.”
“What if I don’t want to touch you at all?” I whisper.
He kisses me again, holding on for longer this time and taking my bottom lip in between his mouth before gently nipping on it. Easing back, he whispers, “I don’t think that’s the case.”
“Cocky…”
He kisses me one last time and I temporarily lose all thought.
When he pulls back, my lips are moist.
“Any more objections?”
Breathlessly, I cling to his shirt. “We’re not… this isn’t real.”
“So?” he whispers.
“So we’re not.” I gesture between the two of us. “This. We can’t. It’ll only be confusing.” My eyes open languidly and I stare at him, desire clawing its way through my bones, defying everything I’m saying. “Let’s not pretend when we’re together. No flirting. No, you know, consummating.”
He studies me for a long moment.
I think he’ll argue, but he just kisses my nose and allows me to ease myself off him. “Fine. We show affection only in front of my parents.”
“Deal.”
Hansley takes my hand as we walk into the kitchen. It’s every chef’s dream. Stainless steel appliances. Tons of counter space. A gorgeous splash drop.
I’m not a great cook, but I do enjoy preparing meals. Something about the order and structure of measurements paired with the unpredictability of the results challenges me. Makes me want to try harder and harder to do my best.
“Hansley,” Mrs. Nicholas nods to the living room, “your father has your fishing gear at the door.”
