Carrie and Mark came into the room. Her roommate ran to join the hug. “Oh, Maddie, I’m so sorry.” Mark hung back, his hands in his pockets.
“What’s going on?”
Irene led Madison to the couch. “Have a seat. We need to talk.”
Carrie squeezed Madison’s shoulder. “Jimmy told us how happy you were when you found out you were married to Jared.”
She swallowed the lump forming in her throat, unable to speak. Everyone knew. They knew she loved Jared and that he didn’t feel the same way. A hole opened up in her chest, threatening to swallow her.
Irene dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I just can’t believe Jared. How could he?”
Fresh tears blurred her vision. “He doesn’t love me.”
Irene patted her hand. “I think he does. He just doesn’t know it yet. You need to tell him how you feel.”
Madison stared at Irene. Tell Jared she loved him? What would he say to that? She wasn’t sure, but once she admitted her feelings, she couldn’t take them back. “I don’t know.”
“You must be exhausted.” Irene picked up a glass of ice water from the coffee table. “Get some rest. Think about it. If you tell Jared how you feel, he might be able to admit his own feelings.”
“Or he’d laugh at me,” she said under her breath.
Irene gave her a hug. “You won’t find out until you do it.”
Madison nodded. “Maybe tomorrow. I can’t even think right now.”
“Of course.” Irene stood. “We should go.”
“Wait, how’s Shelly doing? She looked like she was doing better.”
Pink crossed Irene’s cheeks. “She’s really good. Improving each day.”
“Did they find out what was wrong?”
Irene bit her lip, and Mark coughed into his fist. Neither one spoke.
“What?”
A guilty smile crossed Irene’s face, and she stared down at the ice water. “Turns out she’d been taking the wrong dose of her heart medication. We, uh, found out soon after she was admitted to the hospital. She was afraid you’d postpone the wedding if she told you…so…” Her voice trailed off.
“I guess we weren’t the only ones not being truthful.” Madison smiled. “For some reason, that makes me feel a little better.”
Mark rocked back on his heels. “Talk to Jared. I think you guys can work this out.”
Madison took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thanks for coming all the way here, it means a lot to me. But if Jared wants an annulment, I have to go along with it.”
Irene cringed. Carrie’s face paled.
“I’m just going to have to get past this.” Madison stood and hugged Irene again.
After Irene and Mark left, Madison took a long soak in the tub, letting the warmth of the water soothe her wounded soul.
Chapter 26
Madison swung her car into the parking stall in front of Jameson Technologies and stopped. A feeling of déjà vu overwhelmed her, but this time she wasn’t there to beg for a job. She was going to tell Jared how she really felt.
A cold lump formed in her stomach. After thinking about what Irene and Mark had said, she agreed. She needed to talk to Jared. It wasn’t fair to keep her feelings a secret.
Her sandals slapped on the tile floor, her long skirt flowing as she strode through the building. This time she didn’t stop at the desk, but entered the elevator and pushed the button to the twenty-third floor. The receptionist called out to her, but the doors were already closing.
When they opened on Jared’s floor, Madison walked out and approached Darlene’s desk. The woman frowned, the corners of her mouth disappearing into the folds of skin on either side of her face. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No.” Madison walked right on past the desk.
“You can’t go back there,” Darlene yelled, as she ran around her station. But Madison was already to Jared’s door. She threw it open and entered his office.
Jared swung around in his chair with his phone to his ear, and his eyes widened. Darlene came up behind her, panting. “I’m sorry, she just barged in.”
Jared held up his hand. “It’s okay, Darlene.”
Huffing, she turned on her heel. Jared spoke into the phone. “Can I call you back?” When he placed the phone down, his steely eyes met her gaze. He didn’t say anything, just continued to stare.
“Really? You’re still mad at me?” She placed her hands on her hips. What was his problem?
“You did lie to me.”
“I tried to tell you. You didn’t listen.”
He waved his hand, like it wasn’t worth his consideration. “Whatever. I’m having my attorney draw up the papers. We’ll get an annulment and be done with this whole mess.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. That’s all this was to him. A mess. Something to clean up. And here she was, ready to tell him she loved him. Like that would happen. “Fine.”
She turned to leave, but changed her mind mid-stride. “Listen, you’re the one who left me in Hawaii. It’s me who should be mad at you.”
Jared stood and crossed the room. “If you had told me right away, we could have torn up the marriage certificate. It would have saved us both a lot of trouble.”
Anger seethed in her. He was in the wrong. He didn’t even apologize. She took a step toward him, now only inches from his face. “You. Left. Me. In. Hawaii.” She yelled each word, making sure Darlene could hear. In fact, the people in the next building probably heard.
He narrowed his eyes. “And you lied to me.”
That was all he cared about. Getting out of the marriage. All thoughts of telling him she loved him left her, and instinct took over. She clenched her fist and swung, connecting with his eye. Pain shot through her knuckles.
He staggered back, a look of complete shock on his face. She turned and strode out of his office, hoping he didn’t see her shake her hand. Darlene and a few other office personnel gaped at her as she passed. The elevator dinged, and as she entered Darlene asked, “Who was that?”
Jared’s deep voice answered her. “My wife.”
Jared stared at the elevator doors as they closed, guilt rising in his throat like bile. He deserved that. All he’d been thinking about was himself. How wronged he felt, how manipulated by his father, and how hurt that Madison had kept it a secret. He hadn’t treated Madison right. Of course she’d be mad at him. He cursed under his breath.
Darlene glared at him. “You left your wife in Hawaii?” She shook her head and muttered, “I’d have socked you too.”
Jared scowled, but didn’t say anything. He returned to his office. “Hold my calls.”
Darlene snorted. “One more day of holding your calls and I’ll quit.”
He ignored Darlene and touched his face, wincing when he reached the tender spot under his eye. Yep, that would leave a mark. A chuckle escaped, even though the situation wasn’t funny. Madison was sure a spit fire.
Jared stewed for the rest of the day, feeling worse about the situation as the hours sped by. After work, he ran to the gym because he couldn’t shake the urge to hit something.
He worked out until his muscles ached and his anger was spent. The hot shower eased his tension, and by the time he’d grabbed a bite to eat and unlocked his front door he was feeling more like himself.
Why did Madison make him so crazy? And why did he have this urge to go to her apartment and grovel until she took him back? They weren’t a real couple. The thought was absurd. She’d shown him how she felt today. Going to her would be a bad idea.
A knock on the door startled him. He crossed his living room, which suddenly seemed cold and impersonal with the dark wood and chrome accents. For a bizarre moment, he wondered if Madison had come to apologize, but when he opened the door he found his father.
A look of defeat crossed Maxwell’s face, and Jared marveled. He’d never seen his father look so vulnerable.
Jared stepped back, letting him in.
Maxwell squint
ed. “Is that a black eye?”
“Yeah.”
A disapproving frown crossed his father’s face. “Bar fighting?”
“No. Madison.”
Maxwell’s eyes widened. “She hit you?”
He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “I guess leaving her in Hawaii wasn’t the best idea I ever had.”
His father chuckled. “You’ve got that right.” He hitched up his pants and glanced around the room. “I came to apologize.”
He actually looked uncomfortable, and Jared wondered if Irene had made him come. “You should.”
Maxwell nodded. “You’re right.”
Jared assessed him. “Why’d you do it?”
“You don’t know, do you?”
Was he playing games? “What?”
“She loves you.”
Jared scoffed. “Yeah. Thus, the black eye. She can’t keep her hands off me.”
“She hit you because she loves you. She was hoping you’d find the marriage appealing. Something to celebrate, instead of…” His voice trailed off.
“Instead of upsetting me?” Jared shook his head. “That’s crazy. The proof is on my face.”
No one spoke for a moment. “Do you love her?”
“What kind of a question is that? I hired her to play a part. She did. That’s all there is to it.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Frustration welled inside him. “What does that have to do with your apology?”
His father frowned. “You asked me why.”
Jared sighed. “You think I love her.”
“Don’t you?”
He shrugged. His insides were a jumbled mess. He wasn’t sure what he felt anymore. Sometimes he did think he loved her. Other times she drove him nuts. “I don’t know.”
Maxwell patted him on the shoulder. “Then I suggest you figure it out.”
After a few minutes of polite chat, his father took off, and he was left to marvel once again at the transformation. Maybe Irene was better for his father than he thought.
Jared scrubbed his hand over his face. The paperwork on his desk blurred, all the numbers running together. He sighed and pushed his chair back, lacing his hands behind his head. This wasn’t working.
He’d thought he could get the whole ugly affair out of his mind by jumping back into his work. Forget what his father said, forget he was ever married, forget the whole blasted month of August. Instead, he couldn’t stop thinking about Madison. And with thoughts of her came everything else.
Two weeks ago, his attorney had finished the paperwork for the annulment. Everything was done. All he had to do was deliver the papers to Madison. He glared at the manila folder sitting on the corner of his desk. Why couldn’t he bring himself to do it? Was his father right? Was he in love with Madison?
When she’d burst into his office, for one wild second he’d thought she was going to tell him she loved him and wanted to stay married. It was a silly thought. And when she yelled at him, he’d realized all she came for was to give him a piece of her mind for leaving her in Hawaii.
Truth be told, it had been callous of him. He’d been feeling guilty, but was too prideful to admit it. He’d let his anger over the situation cloud his judgment. And now he was stuck with the unpleasant task of delivering the annulment papers to Madison.
He swore under his breath and stood up. This was ridiculous. He was a grown man. It was time he started acting like one. Gripping his briefcase, he grabbed the folder and stuffed it under his arm. No time like the present.
Storm clouds hung low in the sky as Jared pulled out of the parking garage and onto the street. By the time he reached Madison’s apartment, the heavens had opened up and large drops of rain were falling. He held the folder above his head and sprinted up the walkway.
The rain dripped down his face as he stood outside her door. He pressed the bell and waited as a sudden jangle of nerves tingled inside him.
The door opened and Madison stared at him, her blue eyes wide. Seeing her sent his heart into his throat. Her soft blonde hair was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail, tendrils hanging down around her face. Her full lips parted in surprise, but she recovered quickly. Her gaze traveled over him, then her lips tightened into a thin line. “I figured you’d show up eventually. Come in.” She stepped back.
His arm brushed hers when he passed by, causing his pulse to quicken. He stopped in the middle of the living room and stared at her. Why did she always have this effect on him? He couldn’t seem to catch his breath.
Her gaze softened. “You’re soaking wet.” She stalked out of the room, then came back with a bath towel. She patted his face and hair, and the smell of her perfume and laundry detergent enveloped him. Memories flashed through his mind. Time they’d spent together. The times he’d kissed her.
He grabbed her wrist. “I can do that.” He took the towel from her and put some space between them.
She folded her arms across her chest.
Guilt tugged at him. “Look, I’m sorry for leaving you in Hawaii. I was just so mad, I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“You were mad? You left me in Hawaii. Alone. On our honeymoon.” Her eyes shot daggers at him.
“It wasn’t really—”
“I know. Fake honeymoon. Whatever.” She waved it away. “It doesn’t matter now.” She sighed.
He took a tentative step toward her. Electricity crackled between them. “I know it doesn’t mean much now, but I really am sorry.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry too. For the…you know.” She pointed to his face, and a blush graced her cheeks.
“Yeah, you gave me quite a shiner. It’s almost gone now. But I don’t think the gossip will die down at the office anytime soon.”
A small smile appeared on her perfect lips, but her eyes remained cold. “I guess you came to have me sign something?”
He had, but all he could think about now was the taste of her lips. He pulled his gaze away from her face. “Yes. I have the papers right here.”
Madison swallowed. “All right, then.” She clasped her hands and stared at the folder tucked under his arm.
Time seemed to slow as he held out the paperwork. She took it but didn’t meet his gaze. She left the room, and moments later returned with a pen. “Where do I sign?”
Madison’s stomach churned. This was it. Her marriage to Jared was about to be over. She shook her head. What was she thinking? Jared hadn’t spoken his vows from his heart, like she had. The marriage was never real.
And yet, a part of her mourned for the loss anyway. Mourned for the kisses that never would be. Mourned that she would never fall asleep in his arms again. The loss weighed heavily on her as Jared pointed and she signed her name.
Jared stuffed the papers back in the file folder and gave her a nod. “Thanks.”
He stood for a moment, staring at her, and she gathered up the courage to look him in the eye. For a brief moment, a flash of something crossed his features. Regret? Then it vanished.
A lump formed in her throat. She looked down at the wedding and engagement rings still on her finger. The rings she couldn’t bear to take off. She slid them from her finger and extended her hand. His gaze flickered from her hand to her face. Then he took them.
He gave her another nod, pocketed the rings, and turned and opened the front door. He spoke without looking back at her. “We’ll have a hearing. I’ll let you know when it’s scheduled.”
And with that, he walked out. Madison let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She’d spent the last two weeks trying to convince herself an annulment was for the best. But seeing Jared again made her heart do crazy things. And watching him so callously tossing away their relationship had broken it all over again.
She wiped a tear from her cheek. No use in sitting around crying. She had a job interview tomorrow. Some meat-packing company downtown. The building sat two blocks from Jameson Technologies. Driving past his building would twist the knife a little m
ore each day. Maybe she wouldn’t show up for this interview.
Jared sprinted down the steps, the rain coming down in droves, soaking him in seconds. Lightning streaked across the sky, and something crazy popped into his head. Madison once had told him if he danced in the rain, he would find the rhythm of heaven. He looked up at the menacing clouds and couldn’t help but laugh. This was probably not the kind of rain she meant.
He froze. What was he doing? Why was he leaving when all he wanted to do was go back to Madison and confess his love to her?
The thought jarred him. He did love her. He knew it now. He could no longer deny it. His heart ached for her. Every day he thought of nothing else. His life could no longer go on without her beside him. The papers in his hand drew his attention. What if he tore them up? Was that what he wanted?
Yes. The answer came as a clash of thunder sounded. He didn’t want to annul the wedding. He wanted Madison. And he was going to go back up there and tell her.
A pounding on the door startled her out of her thoughts. Carrie and Mark were on a date, and she wasn’t expecting anyone else. She brushed the moisture from her face and opened the door.
Jared stood there, his fist clenching the paperwork, his mouth in a frown, and rain running down his face in tiny rivers. He shook the papers. “Is this what you want?”
Madison wasn’t sure what he was doing back, or why he looked angry. She’d signed them, like he’d asked. Now he wished to know her opinion? Her heart pounded out a quick rhythm. This was it. Her chance to tell him how she really felt.
She slowly shook her head. “No. This isn’t what I want.” Her words came out in a whisper, and she wasn’t sure he heard her over the noise of the rain.
He clenched his jaw. “Me neither.” He crossed the balcony and tossed the papers over the edge, the wind and rain snatching them and violently carrying them off in different directions.
Madison gripped the door handle, a flicker of hope growing inside her. “What are you doing?”
Thunder sounded, and he rushed toward her. He took her in his arms out there on the cold and rainy balcony, in a firm grip, and heat seared through her.
A Fake Marriage Romance Collection Page 17
