I opened the door, and immediately my heart twisted to see him so handsome and powerful in his suit behind the desk. I wondered if that reaction would ever wear off.
“I’ve got the RFP letter for you to sign,” I said when I entered his office.
He was his usual, formal, stiff self as he reached for it and signed it.
“Who were you talking to outside earlier?” he asked as he handed it back. His tone was nonchalant, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he cared more than he was letting on.
“That’s my college friend, Tucker. I think I told you. He’s moving to Salvation. He has a teaching job lined up.” I couldn’t stop the smile. I so needed a friend to confide in, and I knew I could trust Tucker with all my worries and secrets.
Mo’s jaw tightened.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He pushed a paper aside. “It’s not professional to be acting like a silly schoolgirl when you work for the mayor.”
Fucker. I thought it, but I didn’t say it. “Some of us are happy to show our true feelings to those we care about. It’s not immature. In fact, the ability to express and manage emotion is a sign of intelligence.”
He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as if he was gathering his thoughts. For a moment, I wondered if maybe he was jealous of my enthusiastic welcome to Tucker. Wouldn’t that be something?
When he looked at me, he had his professional face on again. “About last night—”
I held up my hand. “Don’t. I’m sick of the regret—”
“I wanted to apologize for being aggressive, rough. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
I hadn’t expected that, but of course he’d worry about that. He saw me as some fragile little girl. I leaned over his desk, noticing how his gaze flickered to my breasts for an instant before looking up to my face.
“Newsflash, Mo. I liked it.” I waggled my brows for effect.
He shifted in his seat, and I wondered if his dick was growing despite his efforts to keep things cool with us.
I straightened. “Now that we have that out of the way, I was hoping to have the afternoon off. I told Tucker I’d go with him to look at an apartment.”
His eyes darkened. “You two are close.”
“Yep.” I watched him closely. Was he really concerned about professional appearances, or was he jealous?
“I know we’re secretly married here, but we did agree to not see other people.”
I rolled my eyes to annoy him, but inside, I did a little happy dance, because I was pretty sure he was jealous. “I’m going to pretend that you didn’t just suggest that I’d cheat on you. Remember, I was a virgin.”
He grimaced, and again I felt a little victorious. It was probably mean to tease him like that, but it was better than yelling at him.
“You can have the afternoon off,” he said, returning his attention to his paperwork.
I smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Mr. Mayor.”
This time, he rolled his eyes. I practically skipped out of his office. Perhaps it was a bit schoolgirlish of me to be so happy that he was jealous. I’d known he cared for me as a friend and lusted after me as a woman. But now, I thought perhaps there was more to what he felt about me. He didn’t want to, and he was fighting it, but it was there. I could work with that.
19
Maurice
Seeing Brooke in the arms of another man had me seeing red. It wasn’t just that she was pressed tightly against his body as he swung her around that had my blood boiling. It was the look of elation on her face. It was beautiful. She was happy. But it was for him, not for me. I knew that was my own fault, but it didn’t stop my heart from breaking open. I wanted to be the one that made her smile like that. I wanted her to be that happy to see me.
I didn’t make it any easier on myself by acting like a jealous ninny. She knew it, too. I could see it in her eyes that she caught on that I didn’t like another man’s hands on her. She enjoyed poking me about it.
I don’t know why she wouldn’t think I wouldn’t be jealous. The fact that I couldn’t stop myself from touching her was proof that I wanted her. But the way I always pushed her away, I suppose this was her revenge. She deserved to have it. I’d been an asshole to her, and if all she did was poke me a bit, I was getting off far easier than I deserved.
My calendar alarm beeped, reminding me of an appointment. Looking at it, I cursed. I’d totally forgotten I’d agreed to meet with Quinn Thompson for lunch today. I considered canceling. I had no interest in running for governor. But I remembered that I’d set this up to see what he could do to help Sinclair, which was more important than ever if Stark was going to back Jay Wallace.
I had no doubt that Sinclair had what it took to be mayor, including the respect of the town. But she didn’t have the funds Stark would be able to infuse into Jay’s campaign. And I suspected there were still some old traditionalists in Salvation who would prefer a man for mayor. So, I’d meet with Thompson to see what he could do to help her campaign.
I put my coat on, let Trina know where I’d be, and headed out to the restaurant. It was an Italian place several blocks down from City Hall. It was a bit fancy for lunch, but since he picked it, I’d go.
I decided to walk so I could have time to clear my head. It wasn’t easy, because all I could see was Brooke looking so exuberant as Tucker scooped her up. I remembered her talking about him before, but for some reason, I’d pictured him as being gawky and homely. He was quite the opposite, which made me wonder why they’d never become an item. She insisted they were just friends, but after seeing them this morning, I had to wonder if that was true. Or would stay true. There was no doubt he was better suited. For one, he made her happy. Two, he was closer in age. And three, he was moving to town. I considered that perhaps I needed to let her go so she could be with someone better for her. But how in the hell would I pay back the trust?
I reached the restaurant, and taking a deep breath to focus my mind on the issue at hand, I entered. I knew Thompson right away, mostly because I hadn’t met him, and being the mayor of a small town, I knew everyone in the restaurant. But also, he wore city slicker all over him, from his tailored suit to his expensive haircut. He wasn’t much younger than me, mid-thirties maybe. I was sure he thought a place like Salvation was too small, too beneath him, making me wonder how I even got on his radar.
He extended his hand. “Mayor Valentine. Nice to meet you.”
“You too, Mr. Thompson.”
“Call me Quinn,” he said, gesturing for me to sit. “Can I call you Maurice?”
I nodded. My friends all called me Mo, but he wasn’t my friend. “That’s fine.”
We ordered lunch, and Quinn jumped right into his pitch. “We’ve run the projections, and we believe you can beat the incumbent governor. We’d like you to run.”
I studied him. “We who?” Why had he and whoever he was working with picked a mayor from a small town that most people in Nebraska had probably never heard of?
“My group. We gather data and run an analysis on every political player in the state. You scored the highest in terms of your ability to win the seat.”
I shook my head. “While that is flattering, I’m not interested in running for governor.”
“Wouldn’t you like to see yourself in the governor’s mansion in Lincoln?” He sipped from his scotch and water mix.
“Nope.” I sipped my seltzer with lime.
He laughed as he sat back and studied me. “Really? You’re happy to be mayor of nowhere.”
“Careful, you’re about to insult my town.”
He waved his hand. “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant to highlight that you could be known. Make a difference for all Nebraskans. Who knows, maybe go even higher. You and Gerald Ford could be the only two presidents from Nebraska.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t call him on his over-the-top pitch. “I appreciate the confidence and the offer, but I plan on retiring from office and focusing on my ran
ch. I miss riding. I miss the outdoors.” That was true. I was so looking forward to going back to being a rancher. I wasn’t sure if the rest of that dream would come to fruition. My chances of a real wife and family seemed to be fading, although I couldn’t deny that Brooke looked good in my home, and the idea of her carrying our child held an appeal that it shouldn’t.
“Why don’t you think about it?” Quinn asked, dismissing my adamance that I wasn’t interested in being governor.
I sat back as the waitress brought our meals. “Nothing to think about. At least in terms of me running for governor. But I would like to talk to you about deputy mayor Sinclair Jones—”
“We’re not looking at her for governor.”
“Not governor. Mayor of Salvation.”
He laughed and shook his head. “We don’t get involved in small-town politics.”
I frowned. “Then why are you here? I’m small-town politics.”
“Because we know you have what it takes to be bigger.” He leaned forward. “You’ve got youth. Style. Smarts. You know how to balance tradition and progress. That’s what Nebraska needs.”
“I always told you to think bigger,” a female voice said as a woman slid into the chair next to me.
I nearly choked on my ravioli. “Shelley?” What the hell was my ex-wife doing here?
She glared at Quinn. “I knew you’d mess this up.” She turned to me and smiled as she touched my arm. “I knew you’d try to turn him down, but you’re too humble. Too short-sighted.”
Quinn’s phone rang. He cleared his throat and excused himself to answer it.
Shelley continued talking. “You’d be an excellent governor. You’re someone Nebraska could be proud of. Someone I could be proud of.” She tossed her red hair back and leaned closer to me, and her smile was one that I recognized. It was the one she used when she decided sex was the means of getting what she wanted. It had taken me a while to recognize the ploy. Maybe because I was a man, and my dick had a mind of its own. This time, he didn’t rise, so to speak, to her cooing invitation.
My hackles rose. What was she doing here? She’d left me because I wasn’t ambitious enough for her.
“And then what?” I asked, arching a brow. “Once you’re proud of me, what happens then?”
She bit her lower lip in a way that might have been erotic if I wasn’t on to her. “Then we can live happily ever after like we planned.”
I laughed. “Did you forget we’re divorced?”
“That could be remedied.” She used her finger to wipe my chin. I was pretty sure I hadn’t dripped sauce on it.
“What if I lose?” I asked.
“You won’t. I won’t let you.”
I shook my head. “How did I miss this about you before?”
She jerked back slightly. “What? Come on, Mo. When we married, we had our sights set on big things. You got complacent. Lazy. All I’m seeking is what we once dreamed of together.”
I wanted to tell her to fuck off. “I was running a ranch and a city, Shel. What did you do all day? Your nails? Gossip with the Junior League? Don’t you dare call me lazy.”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, but then she checked herself and smiled. “I’m just saying you stopped thinking big. This is a great opportunity for you. Think about it, Mo.”
I wondered what she’d say if I told her I was married to Frank’s daughter. She’d probably have me arrested for marrying a girl. Then again, if she knew, she’d surely back off. Having a fake marriage to my friend’s daughter would surely be a scandal. Fortunately, I was looking for a quieter life. I’d retire from politics, finish my year-long marriage to Brooke, and then spend my days ranching. A few weeks ago, that idea was appealing. It was still appealing, except for the part of letting Brooke go in a year.
I sighed. “I’m not interested, Shelley. Frankly, I’m surprised you came all this way thinking I would be. I even told your buddy Quinn I wasn’t interested when he called.”
She arched a brow. “And yet, you came.” She leaned forward, her expensive perfume filling my space as her hand rested on my arm. “Don’t deny it. You’re intrigued. Why fight it?”
“I’m here hoping to get help for Sinclair Jones.”
“Who?”
“Deputy Mayor. She was Sinclair Simms but married Wyatt Jones.”
“Really?” she said, sounding intrigued. “You know, I always was a little jealous of her. I thought maybe you had a thing for her. But, she’s not running for governor, and we don’t get involved in small-town politics.”
“There’s that we again. Tell me, why are you offering to fuck me when clearly you’re with Quinn?”
She flinched. “It’s not like that with me and Quinn.”
I didn’t buy it. Maybe she didn’t want to marry him, but I suspected there were some benefits to whatever relationship they had.
Her eyes softened. “I’ve always hated what happened to us, Mo. I’m just trying to get all that back.” She picked up the fork at her place setting and reached over to take one of my ravioli.
Deciding to take her at her word, I said, “We had some good times, Shel, but that’s in the past. We’ve both changed, moved on. I appreciate you’re thinking of me as governor, but that won’t be happening. You and Quinn will have to find someone else.”
“Do you miss me at all?”
“Shelley…” I didn’t want to have to tell her my true feelings. I didn’t want her back, but I didn’t want to hurt her, either.
She pressed her finger over my lips. “Don’t say it. I miss you, Mo.”
She didn’t miss me, per se. There was something about me she missed. Perhaps it was my political ability. She’d always had her eyes on big things, but they were bigger goals than mine, which was why she left. Apparently, she hadn’t found anyone else who could carry her to the dream she wanted.
“Why don’t you run?” I said. “You’re smart. You don’t need a man to move you into the governor’s mansion.”
She smiled like I’d given her a gift. “That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
That wasn’t true. At one time, I’d thought the world of her, and I’d told her. It was a stark contrast to how I treated Brooke. If I was free to, the things I’d say to Brooke would pale to what I’d told Shelley. The guilt and self-loathing made my ravioli roll around in my stomach. I sipped my water to help settle it, knowing it would never ever settle.
20
Brooke
I barricaded myself in my office until it was time to meet Tucker for lunch. I left City Hall and met Tucker at his hotel. I gave him another big hug, feeling so relieved to have him in town. I hoped he’d be happy here. Salvation was a great place to live, but the smallness of the town wasn’t for everybody. After living so long in Chicago with its faster pace and more things to do, I hoped Tucker wouldn’t regret moving here.
We grabbed some lunch at a nearby diner, and for the first time since I started this fake marriage, I felt relaxed and happy.
“So, what do you think of Nebraska so far?” I asked as our burgers were served.
“So far, so good, especially the woman who helped me get the job.” He reached for the ketchup and poured some on his plate.
I was about to tell him he was welcome, when he said, “That Holly St. James is a knockout.”
I laughed as I realized I wasn’t the woman he was referring to. “Holly? Isn’t she a little old for you?”
He stopped and pursed his lips at me. “Says the woman married to the man who could be her father.” He picked up a fry, dunking it in his ketchup.
I shrugged. “You know that’s not real.”
He wagged the fry at me. “Be honest. You’ve had the hots for him for some time. Real marriage or not, you like him. And I like her.”
“Does she know this?” I asked.
He shrugged and grinned. “I’ve got time.” He shoved the fry in his mouth and then proceeded to put some ketchup on his burger.
“Really?
You’re going to pursue something there?” A part of me was happy. His intention to court Holly suggested that he really did plan to stay. He wouldn’t pursue a relationship if he was in a mind to leave.
“Sure. Why not?” He picked up his burger.
“No reason. Just gauging how serious you are.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Very serious.” He took a bite of his burger. “They do have good beef here in Nebraska.”
“Nebraska is number one in beef,” I said with pride.
We ate lunch, catching up on the latest gossip from Chicago. Then, we drove to the apartment complex. The apartment was small, but it was bright and clean. It had a view of the river out in the distance.
“What do you think?” I asked him as we finished checking out the bathroom and closet.
“It’s doable. There’s just me, and I don’t have that much stuff. I can’t beat the price. I paid twice as much for half the space in Chicago.”
“So, you’ll take it?” I knew he planned to stay, but getting an apartment was solid proof of his intention. I felt giddy that my best friend would be close.
He draped an arm around me. “Yep. Let’s go find the manager and sign the papers.”
It didn’t take long to get all the documents signed and for Tucker to put his deposit down. The manager said that since the place was empty, he could move in this weekend.
We drove back to the center of town and parked at the inn. I was so glad to have my best buddy in town.
“Do you need me to help with anything?” I asked since I had the day off.
“Nah. Like I said, I don’t have much. I do need to deal with some paperwork to get my license to teach here. And I’m tired from the drive. I think I’ll take a nap if you don’t mind. I figure you have to get back to work.”
I hadn’t told him I had the day off, but instead of pushing myself on him to entertain me, I said, “Take a nap. I’ll see you later.”
I gave him a hug, telling him to call me if he needed anything. Then, we made plans to meet for dinner. I figured Mo would be glad not to have me around, and the truth was, I could use another night away to figure out what the hell I was doing and how I was going to continue in this marriage farce. I knew I had to. I’d agreed to it, but we couldn’t continue on like this. Maybe it was time to accept that he wasn’t going to change his attitude about us. I needed to respect that he couldn’t get past our age difference and that I was his friend’s daughter.
Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set) Page 52
