He waved his hand in a nonchalant way. “I don’t think they’re really ‘together’,” he said, using air quotes. “It’s another business arrangement. I mean, he hasn’t come out and admitted it, but all things point to it.”
Penny’s mouth fell open and she had to force it closed. “What is up with you people? Don’t you believe in falling in love and marrying for real?”
Harrison’s intense blue eyes focused on her. “I used to.”
He said it so softly she could barely hear him, and the pain behind his eyes made her recoil. Of course. That was why Carol’s betrayal had hurt him so much. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
He held up a hand. “Don’t. It’s okay.”
She fiddled with the cheap metal ring still on her finger. “I guess we’ve both been disillusioned.”
The mood in the room darkened, and Harrison stood. “Yeah.” He picked up the bowl and took it to the sink.
After they cleaned up the kitchen, they went back to bed, neither one saying anything.
Morning came too quickly. After showering and getting dressed, Penny waited at the window by the front door. Josephine roared up into the circular driveway in a bright pink Lamborghini and jerked to a stop. She rolled down the passenger window and called out. “Are you ready, dear?”
Penny slid into the seat and closed the door, not knowing quite what to expect from a morning out shopping with Josephine. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The older woman gunned the car. “We’re going to have so much fun!”
Penny gave her a sly smile. “We sure are.” She held up the credit card Harrison had given her. Josephine’s cackle filled the air and warmed Penny’s heart.
The drive didn’t last too long. Soon they were entering a swanky store filled with designer dresses. Penny tried not to pay attention to the prices, but when Josephine pulled out a little black thing with a thousand dollar tag, Penny choked. “There’s hardly anything to this. I’m not paying a thousand dollars for a glorified slip.”
Josephine laughed. “Okay. Nothing too revealing then.” She slid the hanger back on the rack and ushered Penny over to another area with floor length gowns.
As they looked through them, Penny’s eyes started to glaze over. How could she pick one? They were all so gorgeous. And each price tag seemed to outdo the last. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
Josephine held up a stunning emerald green dress with jewels sewn in to accent the neckline and waist.
It actually made Penny gasp.
Josephine gave her a knowing look. “This is it, isn’t it?”
Penny chewed her bottom lip. “It’s breathtaking. But I’m not sure it’s…right for me.”
A frown formed on Josephine’s face. “What’s wrong with it?”
One flip of the tag revealed the three-thousand-dollar price. “This.”
“Nonsense.” Josephine frowned and flipped her hand. “Surely Harrison can afford it.”
Maybe. But would he think she was being excessive? What if he told her it was coming out of her part of the money? There was no way she could afford to spend three thousand on something so frivolous. She needed that money for important things, like food and shelter. “I think we’d better look in a different store.”
Josephine scoffed and pulled out her phone. She spoke for a minute, then hung up and started toward the dressing rooms. “He says not to worry about it. Let’s see how it looks on you.”
Penny reluctantly followed, feeling guilty for even thinking about trying on the dress. Even though Harrison had money, it wasn’t fair for her to spend it. Not when they weren’t really a couple. She tried to smile as Josephine shoved her into one of the stalls.
No matter how she felt about it, Josephine wasn’t going to let her off the hook, so Penny undressed. She slipped the gown on and fumbled with the zipper for a moment before succeeding. She turned to the mirror and stared, mouth open. The dress made her look like a queen, hugging her in all the right places.
Josephine’s voice carried over the stall. “Come on out. I want to see.” Then she banged on the door for emphasis.
Knowing she couldn’t get out of it, Penny opened the door. Josephine shrieked and motioned for Penny to turn around. “Wow girl, this is the dress. Look how it brings out the green in your eyes. You look amazing. That husband of yours won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
Penny doubted that would be an issue, but pressed her lips together to keep from saying it. Instead she smiled and looked to the floor. “Thank you.”
Josephine flipped her wrist and glanced at a jewel studded watch. “Okay. Let’s hurry. We still need to find some shoes that match, and I’ve got to get back to make sure the caterer knows where to set things up.”
Resigning to Josephine’s will, Penny changed back into her clothes and purchased the crazy expensive but amazingly gorgeous dress.
Chapter 14
Harrison pulled his car into the long circular drive. The home was decorated with thousands of little white Christmas lights. It was a beautiful sight.
A young man jogged over to him. Of course Josephine would have valet parking. He rolled his eyes, but handed his keys over. Josephine didn’t do anything halfway, did she? He rushed to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for Penny.
For the second time that night, the sight of her took his breath away. Her hair was in some kind of up-do, a few tendrils coming down to frame her face. The gown she wore was stunning, but her smile was what stopped his heart. She looked like a princess about to go to her first ball. He cleared his throat. “You look amazing.”
She peered up at him. “Thanks. I think I’m going to throw up.”
Harrison laughed. She never ceased to surprise him. “You’ll do fine. It’s just Josephine.” He held out his arm, and she took it.
“I’m not worried about her. It’s the rest of them that scare me.”
Harrison opened the front door, and they stepped into the grand foyer. He leaned over. “Just picture them in their underwear.”
She snorted and hit his arm. “That’s for public speaking.”
“Works here, too.”
Josephine rushed to them and grabbed Penny’s arm. She looked like she had on every piece of jewelry she owned. “Darling, I’m so delighted you’re here. You must come meet the Wilsons. They’ve been dying to meet the young woman who caught Harrison’s eye.”
He held in a snort. Of course the gossip about them had spread. Penny would be paraded about, shown off like some trinket. They’d cozy up to her tonight, but their tongues would wag long after she’d left. He sighed and trailed along behind them, weaving through the crowd.
The Wilsons were a young couple who lived up the street. They were what his stepmother referred to as ‘new rich,’ as if a person was less important because their great-grandfather didn’t have money. The term left a bad taste in Harrison’s mouth.
The Wilsons were chatting with Patrice. As they neared, Patrice turned and plastered on a fake smile. “Well, look who we have here. We were just talking about you.”
Patrice pulled an imaginary piece of lint off Harrison’s suit jacket, then turned to Penny. “And you.” Her smile turned into a sneer. “Aren’t you dressed up nice? A bit too formal, maybe?”
Penny’s cheeks flushed pink, and Harrison stepped between them. “Mother,” he said, his tone a warning. He clenched his fists behind his back so he wouldn’t do anything to embarrass himself. Like cram one down her throat.
Josephine either hadn’t heard, or ignored the comment. “Penny, this is Liza Wilson and her husband, Frank.”
Liza, who was about as tall as most twelve year olds, beamed. “What a pleasure. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Harrison didn’t doubt it. Penny took Liza’s hand. “So nice to meet you.”
As they traded pleasantries, Harrison tugged at his tie. The room had grown too hot. Patrice leaned over to him. “What’s the matter? Are you regretting
your rash decision to marry a Las Vegas hooker?”
He gritted his teeth and tugged Patrice away from the group. “She’s not a prostitute. You have to stop.”
Her expression turned contrite. “I’m sorry, dear. You know I just want what’s best for you.”
“No, you don’t. You want what’s best for you.”
Her lips curled up into a smile. “And those are one and the same.”
Penny laughed at something Josephine had said, and turned to him. “We’ll have to do that.”
Uh oh, what had she agreed to? Harrison drew closer to her, leaving his stepmother. “Do what?”
Josephine grabbed his arm. “You’ll have to forgive me. I must go welcome more guests.” She glided out of the room.
The conversation waned, and everyone stood there, staring at each other. It seemed like a decent time to pull away. “It was nice chatting with you,” Harrison said.
When they were out of earshot, he got up the courage to ask. “What did you sign us up for?”
She looked up at him and grinned in a playful manner. “Wouldn’t you like to know? What was the Wicked Witch of the West saying to you?”
Harrison shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.” Why was the room so hot? His gaze connected with hers, which didn’t help the heat. He ushered her through the crowd and out onto the terrace. The cool night air washed over him, and he leaned on the rail.
Penny touched his arm, the contact causing his heart to stutter. “Are you okay?”
He wasn’t, but he nodded anyway. There weren’t words to say what he was feeling. All his life he’d worked for what he had. Wanted to carry on the Williams name. And for what? To go to stupid parties and hang out with these people? It made his life seem so pointless.
The silence stretched between them for a moment, before Penny softly asked, “What did she say?”
“She went too far.” He stared out at the lights of the city. “Called you a hooker.”
Penny blinked and her eyes filled with tears. Harrison turned toward her and grasped her arms. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have told you. Don’t cry.”
She looked down at her shoes. “I don’t know what I did to make her hate me.”
Her sadness cut through to his heart. “It’s not you. She hates giving up control. She wants me under her thumb, like I’ve always been. I did something without her approval.”
“I’m not like these people.”
He wiped a tear from her cheek. “Thank goodness.”
A laugh bubbled up from her, and Harrison joined in. She smiled at him through her tears. “You always know what to say.”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and tucking her beneath his chin. His chest tightened, and an intense longing to kiss her overwhelmed him. Was he falling for his wife? He pushed the thought from his head. He couldn’t afford to think like that.
“Harrison?” she asked, quietly.
He pulled back to look her in the eyes.
“What are we going to do about your stepmother’s demands? We can’t stay married.”
Harrison nodded. “I’ve contacted my lawyers. They’re working on it. Since she changed the stipulations after our marriage started, we might be able to get to the trust fund money.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll get through this.” The words felt thick on his tongue. He didn’t want to get through this. He wanted to hold her tight and never let go.
Her eyes closed, and she sighed. “I know. It’s just—”
“What?”
She peered up at him. “I think it’s time to move out.”
Penny bit her lip. Had she said too much? Put her nose where it didn’t belong? Harrison’s brows pulled together in confusion. “You want to move out?”
“No.” Penny laughed. “I think you should move out. I mean, it’s none of my business and all, but isn’t it time to get your own place?”
“Oh.” Harrison scratched his chin. “Of course. That makes perfect sense.”
“It does?”
He smiled. “Yeah. It’s just that…” He turned away from her and grabbed the terrace railing, his knuckles white. “I can’t afford to move out.”
Penny’s mouth fell open. “What do you mean?”
Harrison shook his head, and leaned over. “I don’t have the money. Not enough to get a place in L.A. The firm is worth billions, not me. Patrice controls all the money. I only have a few thousand in the bank.”
Astonishment washed over her. “Don’t you get paid at your job?”
“Yes.” He sighed. “At least, I used to. The investment group hasn’t been doing so well the past few years. Money’s been tight. It was either lay someone off, or stop taking a salary.”
Penny swallowed the lump that had grown in her throat. She looked down at the three thousand dollar dress she’d put on his credit card. Oh, no. Panic filled her. “Why did you tell me to buy this dress?”
He shrugged. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not! I’ve just spent an enormous amount on a stupid dress! I probably spent the last of your bank account. What are you going to do?”
Harrison looked out at the city lights and mumbled something inaudible.
Penny leaned closer to him. “What?”
Again, he mumbled something she couldn’t hear.
She whacked him on the arm. “Spit it out.”
He turned to her. “My stepmother gives me an allowance.”
Her first reaction was to laugh, but as soon as the first bit came out and his face fell, she clamped her hand over her mouth. When she was sure no more would come out, she took a breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just…come on. You’re an adult.”
His cheeks reddened. “I know. It’s technically my money. She’s been giving me checks out of the trust fund. She just won’t give me the whole thing.”
“Because she wants to control you.”
He nodded, looking miserable. She had the strangest urge to stroke his cheek and console him, but instead she folded her arms across her chest and tried to ignore the romantic view that stretched before them. “Why does she even want you living there?”
“It’s all about having power.”
“Ugh. That’s so frustrating!”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll move out when my attorney forces her to give me access to my trust fund. Should be soon.”
Right. Not for two years if The Dragon Lady had anything to say about it. Living with her was making Penny crazy. Who knew how long they’d have to pretend to be married, all the while stepping on eggshells around Patrice? Desperation filled her. “Couldn’t we crash at Trent’s house? Just for a little while?”
Harrison stared at her like she’d suggested they hit up a bank. “What? Why?”
“It’s just difficult. Living with her.”
He blinked, then pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I wasn’t thinking.”
Really? He would move out just for her? An intense feeling overwhelmed her, and no words would come out.
“I’ll look at apartments in the morning. We can rent something. That way I won’t need a sizable down payment.”
The warm feeling of being wrapped in Harrison’s arms enveloped her. The masculine smell of his cologne mixed with his scent made her head spin. She nestled her cheek against his chest, overcome with gratitude for him. “Thank you.”
Guilt began to worm its way into her heart, but she shook it off. Harrison needed to get a place of his own. He was thirty, for heaven’s sake. It was far past time. She wasn’t being selfish. She was helping him stand on his own two feet.
At least that was what she kept telling herself.
Chapter 15
Penny’s mood had lightened considerably now that Harrison had promised they would start looking at apartments. She pushed all thoughts of Patrice from her mind and started enjoying the party atmosphere. A live band played holiday music while they mingled. Harris
on introduced her to quite a few people. Everyone seemed genuinely interested in her.
Miranda, one of Patrice’s friends from the dinner party, walked by them. “Harrison.” She arched a brow, then glanced at Penny. Her eyes grew wide and she stopped. “Where did you get your gown? It’s divine.”
Heat crept into Penny’s cheeks. “I got it at Abella’s.”
Miranda nodded in approval. “It’s beautiful. I must go there next week. I’ve been invited to a party at the Mayor’s house, and I don’t have a thing to wear.”
Penny pointed to Miranda’s red sequined dress. “Why not this? It’s so festive.”
Disgust filled Miranda’s face. “And wear it twice?”
So many things she could say ran through Penny’s mind, like ‘Oh, the horror!’ and ‘I don’t know what I was thinking. I should be shot.’ But she bit her tongue and held in her smart remarks.
Harrison slid his arm around her. “Why do women worry so much about what they wear? If I wore the same suit to two parties, no one would notice.”
Penny smiled. “Yeah. Why should I be judged if I wear this dress again? It wasn’t cheap, you know. I might have to sleep in it just to get my money’s worth.”
Miranda turned a deep shade of purple. With her height challenge and round physique, she looked like a grape. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Harrison laughed. “Good idea. In fact, I heard the high school’s winter dance is tomorrow. We should crash that and give you another chance to wear it.”
Laughter bubbled up. “Awesome! Maybe I can find enough parties so I won’t have to take this thing off the rest of the month.”
Disapproval filled Miranda’s face, and she stalked off and disappeared into the crowd.
Harrison introduced Penny to a trio of women in their silver hair stage. He pointed to each of them. “This is Georgette, Daphne, and Mary. We call this group the neighborhood murderers.”
The women giggled like school girls. Georgette spoke up. “We all write mystery novels.”
A Fake Marriage Romance Collection Page 42
