A Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

So why did she feel like she was making a big mistake?

  Chapter 2

  As the month progressed, the pressing dread lightened and the ring didn’t feel as heavy on her finger. She had two clients sign up for her service and a third scheduled to come in on Friday. So far, no one had asked about her photo, so she hadn’t had to outright lie. Things were looking up. She might even get to eat this weekend.

  Her fingers clicked on the keyboard as the front door swung open and Mia rushed in. “I have the best idea!” She didn’t wait for Sidney to speak. She went to the west wall and unrolled a long vinyl sign sporting the words: Blissfully Matched.

  Sidney raised an eyebrow. “A wall vinyl?”

  “Yes. I made one for your car as well. But that’s not all. I think you should make this your success wall. Put up photos of all your successful matches.”

  “I only have six. And three of them were from before I went into business.”

  “That’s okay, they still count.” Mia’s bangle bracelets clinked together. “We can put up several shots of each couple for now, so the wall looks full, and exchange them out as you make more matches. I brought some of my wedding photos to put up.”

  Sidney had convinced Mia to go out with Paul back in college. They were perfect for each other, and they’d both been having a difficult time in the dating pool. All it took was one date and they were hooked on each other. They married a year later.

  “Sounds like a great idea.”

  Mia began prepping the wall for the vinyl. “This is going to look amazing.”

  “What font did you use? That looks stunning.”

  Mia answered, but something outside captured Sidney’s attention and suddenly nothing else mattered. Someone stood on the sidewalk, squinting in her direction. A man who looked just like…Blake?

  The bottom dropped out of her stomach and an incredible urge to hide overcame her.

  Oh no. It couldn’t be him. After all this time? What was he doing back in Bishop Falls? Had he seen her through the window? Good heavens, he was starting to come her way. Before her head could completely process what she was doing, Sidney slipped off her chair and dropped to the floor, crouching behind her desk.

  Mia stopped talking mid-sentence. “Uh, Sidney? What are you doing?”

  Her heart pounded in her chest, and she prayed that Blake hadn’t seen her. Maybe he was looking into the sun, and it had blinded him. Yes, maybe that was it. He was squinting after all. “Dropped something.”

  The sound of the door dinging made her blood freeze. And then Mia cleared her throat. “Hello.”

  Blake’s deep voice answered. “Hi. I’m sorry, I thought I saw someone through the glass. Is Sidney Reed in here?”

  No, no, no. This wasn’t happening. He couldn’t be here. And he couldn’t find her crouching down behind her desk like some stupid coward. Sidney’s ears grew hot and her legs cramped. She shook her head at Mia, giving her the ‘no’ sign, and prayed she would cover for her.

  “Why, yes, she’s here.”

  Mia was so dead. Deader than dead. Sidney was going to kill her, and then revive her just so she could kill her again.

  There was no going back now. Her choice was to either stand up on her own and try to look dignified, or wait until Mia led Blake around the desk to find her squatting on the floor, chin deep in her own embarrassment. She peered under her desk for something she could use as an excuse. A silver paperclip lay in the dust and she snatched it, then stood, her neck now burning as well as her ears.

  “Ah, I found it!” She held up the paperclip like it was proof that she wasn’t insane.

  “Sidney?” Blake cocked his head to the side, as if he was still not quite sure it was her.

  She feigned innocence, tossing the paperclip on the desk. “Yes?”

  A smile took over his features and he took a step toward her. “It’s me, Blake.”

  It was him, all right. The same dark hair and piercing blue eyes, although he’d filled out over the last ten years. He was all man now. None of the boyish features remained. He had a strong jaw and muscular build. And he was here, in her matchmaking business, smiling at her. She blinked, pretending to be confused. “Blake?”

  Behind him, Mia was completely freaking out, waving her hands and mouthing something she couldn’t read. Probably something like, “Holy cow, he’s totally hot!” At least, that’s what Sidney was thinking.

  Blake’s grin widened. “Blake Wellington. We used to hang out as kids.”

  Hang out. More like, he would hang out with her older brother, and she’d tag along, ogling after him. But it was nice of him to act like she belonged. Sidney nodded and plastered on a smile of her own. “Of course. Blake. How have you been?”

  Blake walked around the desk and enveloped Sidney in a crushing hug. It didn’t last long, and he stepped back, appraising her with his gaze. “Look at you. All grown up.”

  His words reminded her of what he’d said the last time she saw him, and a sharp pain dug into her chest. She struggled to remain smiling. “Yes. All grown up.” Her words came out clipped.

  He just stood there, staring at her. Sidney motioned to Mia, to direct some attention away from herself. “Blake, this is Mia. Mia, Blake.”

  Blake shook Mia’s hand in a polite gesture, but quickly turned back to Sidney. “How have you been?”

  “Fine. What are you doing here?” The words slipped out before Sidney could stop herself.

  “I just moved back. Got a job at Bishop Falls Memorial Clinic.”

  “You’re a doctor?”

  He nodded. “General practitioner.”

  So, he’d gotten his medical degree like he’d always planned. Good for him. She tried to swallow the hurt and embarrassment of the past and be happy for him. “That’s nice.”

  He glanced around the small retail space she’d rented. “What is this? You own a business?”

  Sidney nodded, feeling a sudden urge to prove to him that she was successful as well. “Yes.”

  He studied the sign Mia was preparing to put on the wall. “Blissfully Matched.” Blake turned back to Sidney. “You run a dating service?”

  The way he said it, with a lopsided grin like he thought it was a childish notion, made her stiffen. “No. It’s a matchmaking service. There’s a big difference.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  Sidney bristled. What did he know about it, anyway? This wasn’t any of his business. All the old pain came rushing in and she took a step back. “Yes. Really. And I’m actually quite busy right now, so if you don’t mind.” She motioned to the door.

  If Blake was offended by her brush-off, he didn’t show it. “I’m sorry for interrupting.” He continued to smile, studying her. “I just can’t believe you’re…”

  “All grown up,” she finished for him, her stomach tightening. She needed to get away from him before she did something truly embarrassing. Like cram a stapler down his throat.

  “Yeah.” He shifted on his feet nervously. His gaze landed on the photo on her desk, then to her left hand. “You’re married?”

  “No,” Mia said at the same time Sidney said, “Yes.”

  Blake cocked his head.

  Sidney shot a death glare at Mia. It would have been simpler to say yes and make him leave. Now she was stuck. “I mean, no, but I will be. I’m engaged.” She pointed to the photo. “To Ted.”

  Was it her imagination, or did his smile falter? “Congratulations.”

  There was an awkward pause when no one said anything, and Mia did a little dance behind Blake, trying to tell Sidney something but she had no clue what she was mouthing. When Blake turned his head she went back to fiddling with the wall vinyl.

  “Um, well, nice to see you again, Blake.” She thought about shoving him toward the door, but stuck her hands behind her back instead.

  To her dismay, instead of leaving, Blake took a step closer. “So, how does this service work? You keep a database or something?”

  “It’
s much more personal than that,” Mia said, answering for her.

  How long would this torture last? She didn’t want to think about Blake, her insane crush on him, and the most embarrassing moment of her life. But she also didn’t want him to think her business was stupid. “I get to know each client, and I personally seek out the perfect person for them.”

  Blake scratched his chin, studying her. “Are you taking on new clients?”

  Before Sidney could say no, Mia blurted out, “Yes. She is.” She took his arm and led him to the desk. “Have a seat. Sidney will work her magic.”

  Great.

  “And in fact, I have to run.” Mia looked at her wrist, even though she had no watch. “Gotta go get that thing done. But you’re in good hands with Sidney.” Mia flashed a wide smile before backing out the door.

  The room was suddenly too hot. Sidney waved her hand in front of her face and sat down. “Okay, then.”

  Blake settled back in his seat and got comfortable, like he didn’t have a care in the world. Figures. He probably enjoyed her humiliation.

  She opened her new client form and started rattling off the usual questions. After typing in his name, address, phone and email, she clicked to the more important part of the interview. “What are you looking for in a woman?”

  Like she didn’t know the answer to that. She might as well type Natalie in bold letters and be done with it. He’d always had eyes for her older sister. Why was he even in here?

  “I want a woman who can think for herself. Someone not afraid to get her hands dirty. I love the outdoors so ideally she should too.”

  Ha. So Natalie was out. Sidney had always suspected his infatuation with her was all surface, no substance.

  Blake continued. “She must make me laugh. And not be afraid to try new things. Snorkeling, hiking, canoeing, swimming…I’d like to do all of these with her.”

  Sidney typed everything he said. As kids, they’d done all those things together. He knew she loved them. She tried not to read anything into it.

  “And do you have any physical preferences?”

  His mouth twitched like it always did when he was trying not to smile. “No. I don’t care what she looks like. I mean, pretty would be nice, but that’s not important to me.”

  Sure. That’s why he always drooled after Natalie. She swallowed the snort that was threatening to come up and typed, ‘Must be shallow and drop-dead gorgeous.’

  “Okay. Well, I think I have enough to go on.” She stood. “I’ll contact you soon with some options.” She forced a smile.

  He sat up straight and his mouth popped open. “That’s it? I thought you said you get to know each client.”

  Blast. She had said that, hadn’t she? Sidney cleared her throat while trying to decide what to say. “I…um…I already know you. So, no need.”

  Blake frowned. “We haven’t spoken in ten years.”

  Guilt crept up, and she knew she couldn’t treat him differently than her other clients. Just because she was embarrassed about the past didn’t mean it was fair to take his money and push him off to the first woman who agreed to meet him. She shook her head. “Of course. This is just the beginning. I’ll need to schedule another meeting with you. Usually I take my clients out to coffee and we chat for a while. Does next week work for you?”

  “I’m free tonight. Why don’t I take you to dinner?”

  Dinner? Like a date? Was he daft? “No, I couldn’t.” She pointedly flashed him her ring.

  He glanced at her hand. “Just to talk. Complete my profile.”

  She normally didn’t balk at taking a client out to dinner, but this was Blake. It had taken ten years to get over her crush on him. It was best to find him a match as quickly as possible and get far away from him.

  Her hesitation must have given him courage. “I’m sure it will help you find my match.” He gave her one of those devastatingly handsome smiles that made her heart pound.

  She turned her gaze. Maybe going out tonight would give her the details she needed to find him a girl. Maybe the Band-Aid rip method was best. “Okay.”

  “Great. I’ll go home and change. Where should I pick you up?”

  She gave him her address. He stood and shook her hand. The instant their skin touched, electricity snaked up her arm and made her knees weak. She jerked her hand back and wiped it on her slacks. She must not allow herself to fall for Blake Wellington again.

  Not if she wanted to keep her heart in one piece.

  Chapter 3

  As soon as Blake left, Sidney started to hyperventilate. Why had she agreed to take him on as a client? It was a bad idea. Just being around Blake brought up all those old feelings of hurt and embarrassment. The memory of that day, ten years ago, washed over her. It was the last time she’d seen Blake.

  It had all started with a stupid, stupid dare.

  Sidney plopped down on her bed and picked up her phone. Excitement shot through her as she dialed Leena’s number. She turned up the radio, her favorite Savage Garden song playing. Leena answered on the first ring.

  “You’re never going to believe who’s back in town.”

  “Blake?” Leena’s voice shrieked over the line.

  “Yes!” Sidney rolled over and hugged her pillow to her chest. “He’s coming over for dinner tonight.”

  Leena screamed into the phone and Sidney pulled it away from her ear. “I know. I can hardly stay in my skin.”

  “This is it, Sidney. You have to tell him how you feel about him.”

  Sidney wrinkled her nose. “Are you crazy?” Sharing her secret crush with Leena was one thing. Telling Blake she’d been crushing on him for years was another. “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not? How awesome would it be to have a boyfriend in college?” Leena squealed over the line and Sidney couldn’t help but smile.

  “I can’t, Leena. I couldn’t tell him.”

  “Then don’t tell him. Show him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re sixteen now. You need to show him you’re an adult. You’re no longer that little girl that used to tag along after your brother.”

  Sidney’s heart pounded. Leena was right. She was maturing. Blake always treated her like a little kid, but she wasn’t a kid anymore. “How do I do that?”

  “I’m coming over.” The click told her Leena had hung up.

  Fifteen minutes later, Leena arrived with a bag slung over her shoulder.

  “What’s that?” Sidney stepped back to let Leena into her room.

  Leena unzipped the bag and pulled out a black dress and pair of high heels. “This is your secret weapon.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  Sidney looked at the dress like it was a rattlesnake. “Uh, I don’t think so.”

  “Come on. You never dress up. You’ve got to show him you’re no longer the little Tom girl, climbing trees and skinning your knees and following after Grayson. You’re a woman now.” Leena held the dress up to Sidney’s chest and whistled. “This will look great on you.”

  Sidney was hesitant. She liked her jeans and comfortable T-shirts. She could be a woman wearing her normal clothes, couldn’t she? “I don’t know.”

  Leena made a face. “You coward.”

  “I am not!”

  “I bet you’re too scared to wear this dress.”

  Sidney grabbed the hanger. “I’m not scared.”

  “Then I dare you. I double dog dare you to wear this dress and some makeup.”

  The words rang in Sidney’s mind. Maybe this was what she needed to do. Nothing else had worked. Blake was always nice to her, but never saw her as anything other than Grayson’s little sister. Getting a makeover might be the thing to wake him up. “Okay.”

  Leena gloated, her smile wide. “Hurry, put this on. We’ve got a lot of work to do before Blake gets here.”

  A half hour later Sidney stared at herself in the mirror, her knees wobbling. She couldn’t believe it was her. The transformation was amazing. She’d never worn make
up like this before. Leena had made up her eyes like someone in the movies, pretty blues and purples gracing her eyelids. Mascara helped her eyelashes pop, and cherry red lipstick made her lips full and inviting.

  This was it. This was the day Blake would wake up and notice her. She felt empowered. She felt beautiful. Turning to Leena, she grinned. “I think I’m ready.”

  “You are gorgeous. He’s going to fall all over himself. Just don’t be afraid to flirt with him. Remember, you’re showing him how you feel.”

  “Flirt?” A sudden unease washed over her. How was she going to flirt with him?

  “You know, giggle at what he says. Look him in the eye, and maybe wink at him. Flip your hair over your shoulder. Stuff like that.” Leena did the perfect hair flip and then smiled, blinking her eyes.

  Flirt. She could do that, right? How hard could it be? Sidney squared her shoulders. “Sure.” She shrugged. “I can flirt.”

  “And if all else fails, kiss him.” Leena bounced up and down.

  Sidney shook her head. “No, that’s insane.”

  “I dare you.”

  Those words echoed in Sidney’s head as she wobbled down the stairs in the ridiculous high heels Leena had made her wear. Kiss Blake? She mentally shook her head. No way. She’d just flirt with him and show him how she felt. That should work.

  When she got to the dinner table, Blake was already seated next to Natalie, her older sister. Natalie was nineteen—a year younger than Blake—and attending the community college across town. Sidney slid into the seat across from Blake and smiled at him. She couldn’t quite get up the nerve to bat her eyelashes.

  Blake raised his eyebrows at her, but gave her a polite smile before turning back to Natalie. “How’s school been so far?”

  “Oh, you know.” Natalie giggled and put her hand on Blake’s arm. “Same old, same old.”

  Sidney stared at her sister. The viper was stealing her moves. Flirting. Heat crept up her neck and she sat up straighter in her chair. She wouldn’t let Natalie ruin this night. “Yeah, Natalie’s life is boring. If you want excitement, you should go to high school.” She wiggled her eyebrows up and down in what she hoped was a sexy manner.