My Best Friend's Bride (7 page)

“He did, but…” She thought of the shredded document strips in her bag. “He took it back!”

“What?”

“He took the contract back!”

“But why would he do that when he knew I was coming here to discuss it with you?”

“Brad knew…?” And yet he’d let her be blindsided. It was tough to mask her irritation. “Wonderful.”

“Don’t be mad at Brad for not telling you I was coming here. I asked him not to because I was worried that if he did, you might bolt.” There was something that looked like sincerity in his eyes, but it was impossible for Jill to know if it was real. “I thought it would be good for us to talk things over. You know, face-to-face. I didn’t count on the Cassandra complication any more than you did.

“I actually look at it as a stroke of luck,” he added, surprising her. “We needed a way to explain your dropping Brad and moving on to me. Thanks to Cassandra, we’re going to have some very public help with that.”

“Speaking of public,” Jill admonished sternly. “We’ve got to get one thing straight. There will be no more PDA of that kind. Period.”

“Then how will we look convincing?”

She thought this over. “Okay, so maybe we could hold hands.”

“Nice.”

“Occasionally, share a peck on the lips.”

“Sweet
.
”

“Closed-mouthed, Hunter.”

He assessed her wryly and Jill felt heat sweep up her neck. She pushed ahead, needing to make it clear. “There will be no hanky-panky in private either.”

“Now you’re bursting my bubble.”

“Look, Hunter. I know the kind of guy you are.”

“Do you?” he challenged, dark brown eyes on hers.

She hesitated just a fraction of a second too long. “Yes. Someone used to getting your way—with women. What I’m trying to tell you is, that won’t be happening with me.”

“So, then, it’s okay if I date other people?”

“What?”

“If you’re saying there’s going to be nothing physical between—”

“I can’t have my husband playing around on me!” Jill stared at him aghast. “That will defeat the whole purpose of the staged marriage!”

“I see. So, you expect me to…” Hunter coughed loudly. “Remain celibate the entire time?”

She leaned forward with a whisper. “You don’t think you can do it, do you?”

“I can do anything I put my mind to.”

“Right. Well, I’m glad we got that clear.”

Hunter lazily dragged a hand through his hair. “The truth is, I’ve been considering this for some time. Taking a break from women. They can be so much trouble, you know?”

Jill took to finishing her salad. “The point I’m making is—
if
we find a way to make this work—it will be a business deal. Pure and simple.”

“With a contract,” he surmised.

“Yes.”

“The one you don’t have.”

“Not at the moment.” Jill dabbed her mouth with her napkin and continued eating. “Which maybe doesn’t matter, as I’ll need to draw a new one up.”

“For what purpose?”

“Including these other things we’ve just agreed to. Like, no sleeping together.”

“I never said I agreed.” Jill looked up to find a smile teasing his lips.

“Then there’s no deal,” she said flatly.

“You drive a hard bargain.”

Jill flushed with pride. “I can hold my own.”

“So can I,” Hunter told her. “Which is why I’m not budging on the condo.”

Jill’s fork clanked to her plate. “You can’t possibly expect me and Fifi and Mimi to—”

“Fifi and Mimi?” He grimaced unabashedly. “You must be joking.”

“No, I am not,” she said with an indignant snort. “Fifi is my yellow Lab and Mimi is—”

“Wait a minute. You named a
Lab
Fifi? Fifi’s not a Lab name. Think poodle. Pomeranian…”

Her mouth hung open. “Now you’re an animal savant?”

“I know dog names and Fifi’s not one of them I approve of.”

“Nobody asked you to!”

“Sorry, no Fifi’s living at my place.”

Jill fumed.

“Probably not Mimi either. If that’s a cat, I’m allergic.”

She glared at him until she realized he was sporting a grin. “You made that up!”

“You’re right,” he admitted, before pausing and then asking, “Which part?”

“Probably all of it!”

“No, I was serious about dog names.”

“We are not moving into your place.”

“Then we’re not getting married.”

“Why are you being so stubborn about this?”

“Me?” He sputtered a laugh. “My place is better, plus it has a bigger TV.”

“How do you know that? About the television?”

“I’m a guy.”

“Now you’re being sexist.”

“No, practical.”

“Come on.”

“Okay,” he baited. “Then answer. How many inches?”

“What?”

“How big is your screen?”

“I honestly have no idea.”

“That kind of proves it.”

Jill blew out an exasperated breath. “If it’s such a big deal, we can move your television into my place.”

“I don’t like living in the country. It makes me sneeze.”

“Now you’re lying again.”

He watched her for an extended beat, then his dark brown eyes sparkled. “You know, this is kind of fun.”

Fun? Jill felt positively winded. It was all she could do to keep up with him, and Jill was generally pretty good at thinking on her feet.

“Just listen to us,” he said with a grin. “Arguing like an old married couple.” He pushed back his chair and stood.

“You’re leaving?” she asked, caught off guard.

“The fact is, I really do want this promotion, and, believe it or not, my being married won’t be enough for me to nail it. I’ll actually have to work for it too.”

Jill swallowed hard, her head muddled. It still seemed to her they hadn’t settled anything. “What about our contract?”

“Print a new one out, and we’ll go over it. Oh, and Jill…” He leaned into the back of his chair, bracing himself on his arms. “You might want to think about being a little more conciliatory next time.”

She was about to spout out a pithy reply when she caught a glimpse of her watch and saw that she was ten minutes late for her meeting with Morgan.

Chapter Six

“I’ve got to say I’m impressed, Jill. Here I questioned your ability to come up with a groom under such short notice, and somehow you’ve managed to find two!” Morgan sat in her chic modern office surrounded by potted ferns. A small bonsai tree stood on the corner of her desk.

“I’ve only got one left at the moment,” Jill replied. “And he’s not my first choice.”

“Whyever

 
not? I’ve seen Hunter Delaney, and the man is
very
good-looking.”

“Maybe,” Jill conceded. “But impossible just the same. Fifty percent of the advance money?”

“Less my fifteen percent,” Morgan interjected.

“You know what I’m saying.”

“Yes, but I don’t quite agree that he’s being greedy. The fact that he’s willing to give the money back at the end of the year sounds more than reasonable to me.”

“He’s only in it for himself.”

“Bingo! So are you. Sounds like a match made in heaven.”

“I’m not moving to the city.”

“Then negotiate.”

“He won’t budge.”

“Everything’s negotiable.”

“Now you’re sounding like Brad.”

“What?”

“Never mind.” Jill shook her head. “Maybe this is a loony idea.”

“Actually, I think the arrangement’s ideal. No false hopes, no worries. You and Hunter go in with all expectations clear.”

“What am I supposed to tell my grandfather?” Jill desperately wished she could share the truth with her grandpa, but given his memory issues she couldn’t trust him not to reveal it to the wrong people.

“The same thing you’re going to tell the rest of the world. That you’re
in love
.”

“I already told him I was marrying Brad.”

“And that women are fickle.”

“Morgan!”
 

“Hey, I don’t know. Tell your grandpa you’ve had a change of heart. That you’ve had a thing for Hunter all these years, and it was mutual. Reciprocated.”

Jill recalled the heat of Hunter’s mouth on hers and felt her temperature spike. She hastily turned away, hoping her face hadn’t colored. “Nobody would believe that.”

“Everybody
has to
. That’s the only way to make this work.” Morgan thumped her pen against a stack of papers on her desk, apparently mulling something over. “Okay, here’s an idea,” she offered. “Let’s say you haven’t seen Hunter in ten years—”

“Twelve.”

“Whatever. Let’s ballpark it.”

Jill sat back in her chair, prepared to listen. “Fine.”

“Anyway, here’s what I’m thinking,” Morgan went on. “Hunter’s been out of the picture because you and he had no reason to interact.
Then,
you became engaged to his best friend, Brad. Naturally, you and Brad celebrated your happy news among friends, and logically—”

“Hunter attended some of those celebrations,” Jill surmised.

Morgan’s expression brightened as her notion picked up steam, and she continued dreamily, “When you and Hunter saw each other again—I mean from the very first time—it was like…
bada-boom…
chemistry! Fireworks! Maybe he even swept you into his arms and kissed you!”

“What?”

“Okay,” Morgan conceded. “Perhaps that’s carrying things too far. Nobody’s that irresistible.” She studied Jill sympathetically. “Sorry, hon, not even you.

 
“My point is,” Morgan continued. “Sometimes these things happen. It’s not your fault or his. You didn’t even know you’d be desperately attracted. But…maybe… There had been some kind of never-forgotten fling in high school?” She tried to read Jill’s eyes. “Yes?”

“No!”
 

“Then why are you fanning yourself with my proof copy of
Fated Flames: Long-Lost Lust
?”

Jill looked down to find the paperback edition waving furiously back and forth in her hand. She quickly stopped the motion and put the book down. “I just think you’re blowing things up a bit, that’s all.”

“Nonsense! They have to be big. Bigger than big. Enormous! And…” She set her elbows on her desk and leaned forward, raising her eyebrows. “Dramatic, romantic…glorious! Don’t you see? Your affair will capture the world’s imagination!”

Jill nodded with understanding, once again sensing Morgan’s genius. “And this will help me sell books.”

“Of course. Every woman on earth knows there’s nothing more challenging than transitioning from insta-lust into a real relationship. That’s what book three is about!
Married Love: Keeping Those Home Fires Burning. Naturellement!
”

“Naturellement,”
Jill repeated, the entire scheme taking root in her mind. Morgan was right; this was perfect. Even if Hunter Delaney proved himself to be a perfect pain in the neck, no one would fault a girl for having the hots for him. He was successful and gorgeous…with the worst sort of reputation any guy could have! “What about Hunter’s well-known standing as a womanizer?”

“You’ll be the beauty that tamed the savage beast. Women everywhere will stand up and applaud you!”

Jill glanced at her doubtfully. “You’re mighty sure of this.”

“Look, Jill. I don’t know much, but I do know two things: I know books, and I know the public. Between those two I can create a package that sells. If the numbers on this book break where I think they will, you’ll never have to worry about your grandpa’s comfort again. He’ll be well taken care of, and you’ll be set for the long haul too.”

“Even after my…” Jill stumbled on the word. “…divorce?”

“Now, hush your mouth, and let’s not go there! For heaven’s sake, we haven’t even gotten you married yet.”

Brad sat next to Hunter at the sports bar. Both were positioned on stools, strategically close to the televised ball game. “I’m not saying I don’t believe you,” Brad said. “I’m just a little stunned she didn’t put up more of a fight.”

“Oh, she fought, all right.” Hunter chuckled into his beer. “Seems like she’s pretty used to winning too.”

Brad eyed his friend. “I’m guessing, so are you.”

“I’d be lying if I said it’s all ironed out, because it isn’t. There are still a few things to get straight, like where we’re going to live.”

“I thought you were dead set on staying in the condo?”

An evil smile creased Hunter’s lips. “That’s what I told Jill.”

“You mean, you honestly don’t care?”

Hunter shrugged. “Why would I? As long as I can bring my stuff with me, I’m cool.”

“That’s not what you told Jill, is it?”

Hunter nursed another sip of his brew. “Nope.”

“Why not?”

Hunter met his buddy’s eyes. “She needs to want this as badly as I do. If Jill wins the battle over our living situation, she’ll feel invested. Stay committed and won’t slip up. Max was at the club today, and—”

“He saw the two of you together? No way!”

“Yep, it’s true. And, you know the interesting thing? I think he totally bought it. Me and Jill, the loving couple.”

“Well, I guess that part’s good.”

“It’s a start, anyway,” Hunter said.
 

They watched another batter hit a home run, then contemplated their mugs during the commercial break.

“So, you’re moving to the country!” Brad proclaimed with a laugh. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Let’s wait and see how long I can stand it.”

“According to that contract, it’s going to be a year.”

“She wants separate bedrooms, did you know that?”

“Of course. I mean, in my case, it was no problem. Susan would have insisted… I mean, I would have too… Hang on. Hold the bacon.”

He slowly met Hunter’s eyes.

“Are you saying you
wish
you were sleeping together?”

“Haven’t you heard the term conjugal rights?”

“Sure, when applied to a real marriage.”

Hunter dropped his voice. “She wants me, man, I’m telling you.”

Brad’s voice squeaked. “Jilly? Nah-uh.”

Hunter elaborated in a raspy whisper. “The woman was all over me with that kiss. Swear to goodness, nearly ate me alive.”

“Jilly?”
Brad asked again, apparently not believing it.