Even if I attempted to explain how innocent the situation is, he’d spin it to fit his narrative and, therefore, use it to make a name for himself while shitting on mine.
I hate how pleased he seems with himself.
“Only those important to us were aware of it,” the woman explains as she snuggles into me. I fall in love with her in that moment. She put Martin in his place in such a polite way that he’d be hard pressed to explain she insulted him. And she took my side, unknowing of what’s happening, of who I am and why this matters to Martin.
Unable to resist, I lean down and press my lips to hers. The peck I intended turns into so much more. For my first, I don’t think I’m doing half-bad. She seems to feel the same as she returns it, her mouth opening to beckon me inside. I eagerly accept, forgetting Martin is there. Forgetting that she’s not truly mine. That she’s only being nice and I’ll need to explain this to my boss, and his brothers, and hope they understand.
“This is Martin Foley,” he announces, “coming to you with breaking news.” He pauses for effect, pulling me and my fake fiancée out of our bubble and back to reality. Martin stares at his cell where he’s clearly recording a video. “Keaton Wayne, quarterback for the Midland Mavericks, is engaged.” I feel my companion gasp as she presses her face to my chest to cover the reaction. Once again, protecting me. “I witnessed the touching proposal, though I was unable to get close enough to capture his speech. I’d say it would have to be a doozy to win her heart and acceptance, but who wouldn’t say yes to what he brings to the table?” The implication being that’s the only reason she or anyone else would accept. Something the woman at my side catches, causing her to call him an amoeba. She is stealing my heart section by section. “I have pictures of their first kiss as an engaged couple and it’s enough to melt your screen, so make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy.” I see his brows waggle and the leering on his reflection as he thinks back to it. Creep. “Stay tuned for details as they begin to plan their lives together.”
He preens as he replays it, punctuating it with various accolades such as, “Damn, I’m good,” “That’s a keeper,” and “I’m on my way to the top.” And we’re the rungs on the ladder he plans to use to get there.
With her still in my arms, and I’m finding I love her being there, I slowly take a step to the side, then another, and another. “Do you need any of that stuff you dropped?” I whisper in her ear once we’ve put enough distance between us and Martin, who is, once again, watching himself.
“Not enough to be near that smarmy little man.”
“It’ll be safe there until he leaves,” I assure her. “We’ll go back for it then.”
“We?” She asks, grinning.
“I wouldn’t expect my fiancée to retrieve it on her own.” Thankfully, she laughs as we sneak around the corner and out of view. Well, Martin’s view. We can still see him from our hiding spot and watching as he turns and sees us gone is hilarious. “Thank you for helping me,” I tell her, reluctantly letting go of the hand I’d grabbed before we escaped. The one still wearing the ring.
“You’re welcome and thank you for the same.” She wiggles her finger.
Which makes me remember our conversation before Martin inserted himself in our business. “I’ll take full responsibility for any fall out you may experience from what happened back there. Your actual fiancé is an incredibly lucky man.”
“Yes, you are,” she replies. That doesn’t match up with what I said. “You’re the only fiancé I have,” she explains at my obvious confusion.
“But…”
“A client of mine let me try it on because I was admiring it. When she left, she forgot to take it. I was on my way to return itto her. I claimed it was mine because I figured it was the safer option.”
“It’s a beautiful piece,” I agree, complimenting the true owner’s exquisite taste. Peering closer, the haze from our kiss and the adrenaline from holding in my anger for Martin is fading and I get a better look at it. I wasn’t able to when I picked it up, and after, I was too busy staring at her and trying not to throttle Martin. Now, though… “This was my great-grandmother’s.” I can’t believe I didn’t immediately recognize it nor the gemstone that perfectly matches Lily’s eyes.
“May is not that old,” she declares.
“You know my mom?”
“She’s your mom?”
“How do you know her?”
“I told you; she’s a client.”
“What is it you do?”
“That’s privileged information.” Umm…
“I’m her son and your fiancé,” I remind her. Why do I love the sound of that so much? She’s shaking her head and I know there’s only one way to handle this. Withdrawing my phone, I hit the speed dial I need. The first ring isn’t even completed before it’s answered.
“How’s my favorite son?” There’s no use pointing out there isn’t another. I’ve tried. She merely replies that it’s a good thing I have that status then.
“I’m fine. How are you and dad? You need anything?” Despite my urge to discover how these two women are connected, I take the time to check on my parents. It doesn’t matter that I saw them yesterday. I have to know they’re okay.
“You’re such a good boy.”
“The best,” Dad hollers.
“It’s not a competition,” she scolds him.
