“It’s fine. I just … hope you know that kiss was all for show.”
Anger was better than the hurt I felt at his continued need to prove he didn’t want me. Keeping my tone light, I replied, “I know you find me repugnant, Jared, so don’t you worry your pretty little head that I’m going to catch feelings here.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he didn’t deny it.
And I racked my brain wondering what it was that I had done that had turned him off so much. Then I reminded myself thatwhatever it was wasn’t my fault, that Jared was merely a tool to get what I wanted, and it didn’t matter what he thought of me otherwise.
It did matter what Aria thought of me.
Dread filled me the closer we drew to Ardnoch.
Eight
Allegra
It seemed right to me, especially because I’d been avoiding her since our argument, that I should tell Aria about the marriage myself. However, Jared pointed out that a real couple would do it together. So we decided we would tell Aria and Sarah as a couple.
I’d texted my sister to let her know I’d visit that evening. I had to collect my stuff from my parents’ beach house and take it to the farmhouse. Sarah’s old room was now mine. We’d entered Jared’s home, awkward tension hanging over us, as if we’d both just realized the immensity of what we’d done.
As a kid, I’d gotten it into my head I wanted to act, so my parents enrolled me in a prestigious after-school acting class. They’d thrown us into improv a lot. I’d left behind the acting for art, but apparently not the improv. This would be the biggest role I’d ever attempted.
Jared and I hadn’t discussed how this would really work. We’d made the decision and as if afraid one of us would back out, we’d booked the registry office and hightailed it down there the next day.
Now we were stuck together with no real plan.
And the fact that Jared had the power to affect my feelings meant I’d chosen the wrong man for this job. I thought so even as I laid the flowers he’d given me gently down on the dresser in Sarah’s room, already planning to preserve them in an art piece.
As regretful as I was that I’d picked him, I was grateful for Jared’s quiet, solid presence as we pulled up to my sister and her husband’s beach house. I was about to lie to the only person in my life who really cared about me. The only thing that soothed my guilt was the knowledge that it wouldn’t be the first time I’d lied to protect her.
The door to the house opened and Aria stepped out onto the porch in her work clothes. She always looked so chic and put together. Even with worry etched into her beautiful face. A pang of remorse over our last conversation burned in my chest.
“Are you ready?” Jared asked.
I met his gaze, ignoring, as always, the flutter in my belly. It happened every time he looked at me. Fuck my life.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Aria straightened at the sight of Jared getting out of the car with me. Her eyes bounced between us and widened as I reached for his hand.
He squeezed it in reassurance just like he’d done earlier that day, and it bolstered me.
“What is going on?” my sister asked as we reached the wraparound deck.
“Can we come in?”
Her green eyes narrowed on where my hand was enfolded in Jared’s. I’d always envied her those eyes. They were a different shade of green to Jared’s. A mossy green with flecks of gold in them. Warmer than Jared’s cool jade. Usually. Today they were a little chilly with suspicion.
“I guess you better.” She stepped back into the house and held the door for us before strolling ahead into the open-planliving space. Her shoulders were stretched taut, her spine stiff. I tightened my grip on Jared.
To my surprise, North was lounging on the couch in the swanky space. Their beach house was more contemporary than my parents’, with one wall of glass facing the North Sea and the beach below.
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” I said as my brother-in-law got to his feet at the sight of us.
“Apparently, we’re all surprised this evening,” he answered quietly as he took in Jared. North was a tall blond with clear gray eyes and a swimmer’s physique. He was also unbelievably gorgeous and one of the finest actors of his generation. The first time I saw Ari and North interact, they were bickering like an old married couple, and I swear to God I could feel the sexual tension crackling in the air.
Despite their protests, I sensed there was something electric between them. So I’d acted a little immaturely, a little impulsively, to get them together, but it had all worked out. They were madly in love, and I was so thrilled for my sister that she’d found a partner who was so devoted to making her happy.
At Aria’s wary expression, North slipped a comforting arm around her waist. “I got a few days off set to come home to be with my wife.”
