The Honeymoon Prize (14 page)

“Maybe she met a guy.” Nick half-laughed, trying to lighten the atmosphere. “Forget that with her eighty-hour workweeks.”

“She’ll have a change of heart when she meets Mr. Right.” The phone rang. Addie jumped up. “I’m taking this outside to save you from listening to girl talk.”

“Okay.” Something felt off. Emily had never been one to be in close contact. She was too busy to do anything, but send a text every now and then. He hoped nothing was wrong . . .

S
omething was wrong.

The next morning, Nick watched Addie from behind a rock. He couldn’t believe he’d resorted to spying on her, but something was going on.

Addie had come in after her call and gone to bed without saying goodnight. Unlike her. This morning she’d woken up early—not normal—and left with Brad, none of the other crew in sight.

One thought kept running through Nick’s mind—Carrie.

Okay, he and Addie didn’t have a real marriage. But her sneaking around and hiding things bothered him. If she was involved with Brad, she was taking a huge risk given Emily’s job was on the line. Nick’s, too.

Addie said something to Brad, who drew closer, not seeming to understand the meaning of personal space, at least the American definition. His hand rested on her shoulder. She didn’t move, let alone back away.

Not good.
Nick’s fingertips dug into the rock, scratching the tips.

Brad raised his other arm, bringing his hand toward Addie. She leaned into his chest. He put his arm around her in an embrace.

Nick’s muscles hardened like granite. His temperature rose twenty degrees. Addie was his. Brad shouldn’t be touching her.

Addie looked up and smiled at Brad.

Nick couldn’t watch any longer. He jumped out from the rock. “Isn’t this cozy?”

Brad released her, then stepped back.

“What the hell is going on?” The hard edge to Nick’s voice sounded strange to his own ears.

Addie shook her head. “Nothing is going on.”

Brad raised his hands, palms facing outward. “Not what you think, dude.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”

“Stop it.” The anger in Addie’s voice matched the flames in her eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not Carrie. I’ve never been anything like her. You said so yourself.”

He had. Addie was honest, trustworthy, loyal. Shame burned in his throat. Except . . . “Brad was holding you.”

“Offering sympathy. A comfort hug,” Brad said. “Not trying to make a move on your wife. I’d be so fired, dude.”

Nick’s gaze flew to Addie. Her eyes were red, her lashes spiked. He was at her side in an instant. “You’ve been crying.”

“Do you want me to tell him?” Brad asked.

“No, but could I talk to Nick alone.”

“Sure. I’ll get everything set-up to tape your statement.” With that, Brad walked away.

Nick tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What is going on?”

Addie took a deep breath. “Emily saw me on the news. She sent me the clip from the broadcast so I could see for myself.”

“Why were you on the news?”

“My aunt accused me of stealing my grandmother’s engagement ring and went to the media with the story. Reality TV Honeymoon Bride Steals from Dead Grandma.”

“What the . . .” Nick tried to make sense of what he was hearing. “Your grandmother gave you the ring for your birthday. You sold it to pay for her funeral expenses.”

“That’s what I told my aunt when she asked for the ring months ago, but I guess she didn’t believe me. Or maybe she heard about the reality TV show and wants to cash in.”

He had proof Addie had sold the ring. Emily knew that, so why hadn’t she called him? “I’ll fix this in two seconds.”

“I need to take care of this.”

“But—”

“No.”

The force in Addie’s voice silenced a reply. He’d never heard her sound so adamant.

“It’s time I stand up for myself,” she continued.

“Okay.”

“It’s not okay.” She raised her chin, a determination in her eyes he didn’t recognize. “I’ve let my family walk all over me for too long. I need to do something or they’ll keep coming after me. Getting the house wasn’t enough. Now they want Grammy’s engagement. Who knows what they’ll want or say I did next? I’m not going to sit back and take their lies any longer.”

“I understand. But let me help.” Nick reached for her, cupping her face. A touch wasn’t enough. He wanted to hold her. “I’m here. You’re not in this alone.”

“But I was. For the past nine years I was alone.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault. Mine.” She hung her head for a moment, then straightened. “I could have pursued relationships, difficult as things were. I could have asked for help. I could have taken charge of my future by making sure everything was in order with Grammy’s will and finances. But I didn’t. I was so wrapped up in the day-to-day activities, so overwhelmed and exhausted, I couldn’t think about tomorrow let alone next week. I gave up on living my own life. But no longer.”

“You’re so brave to do what you did, quitting college to care for your grandmother. You were there when no one else was. That takes guts and strength.” He ran the side of his finger along her jawline, wishing he could kiss away her troubles. “You’ve been there for me the same way. I don’t know what I would have done without your emails, letters, and care packages during deployments. You were—are—a lifesaver.”

“When you have no life, pouring your emotional support toward someone far away and could use a friend from home is easy to do.”

Guilt coated his mouth. He’d never asked how things were going for her, not beyond typical platitudes. “I figured things were tough, but I had no idea they were that bad. I should have known.”

“No one knew.” She turned her face, shrugging off his touch. “You were off fighting a war and had other things to worry about than me. I never said a word because I didn’t want Grammy to overhear me complain. She took me in when I was four. It was my turn. But I should have let people know I needed support. I should have done a lot of things over the years. I can’t change the past, but I can do things differently from now on. Standing up for myself against my family is the first step.”

“I get it. I do, but—”

“No buts,” she interrupted. “I have this figured out.”

Her determination filled him with pride. She had gone further than becoming the old Addie again. The new show of strength, of resilience . . . Talk about a turn-on. “Tell me your plan.”

“I’m going to tape a statement and address my aunt’s accusation. Brad was going over what I would say when I got . . . emotional,” she explained. “I want this settled before we return to San Diego. That doesn’t give me much time. The producers are sending a film crew to the estate sale jeweler to confirm the ring was purchased then sold to a buyer. They will interview my aunt. The clips will be ‘leaked’ to the local media and police. And I pray this will be the last time my greedy family drums up phony charges.”

“A good plan. Yours?”

“Filming a statement and talking to the jeweler were my ideas. Brad thought of my aunt. He thinks this is great promo opportunity for the reality series.”

“Of course, he does. It’s great PR and your plan sounds solid.” But Nick had her six, an ace in his pocket, well, his overnight bag. “But I don’t like Brad touching you.”

“He was comforting me.”

“I’ll reserve judgment.”

She sighed. “Brad’s not a bad guy. A bit Hollywood, but he thinks the world of you.”

Nick rubbed the back of his neck. “I may have overreacted.”

“Because of Carrie.”

He nodded.

“I would never do what she did to you. Not ever.”

“I know that logically, but seeing the two of you together. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“Obviously, but I don’t get the jealous husband act.” She leveled her gaze at him. “We’ve been having a great time playing make-believe for the camera. But our marriage is fake. You’ve been adamant about making sure our friendship doesn’t change, so why go all green-eyed on Brad?”

“Emotion got the best of me.” Not a good answer, but Nick didn’t know what else to say.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you cared about me.”

“I do. As a friend,” he clarified.

“Well, friend.” She emphasized the last word. “Remember our agreement about dating discreetly extends to both of us.”

Damn. Nick had been thinking of himself. He didn’t like the idea of Addie going out with other guys, but he couldn’t expect her to sit at home for the next five years. “I’m sorry for going cavemen on you. I hadn’t thought this out. Just acted. I want you to be happy.”

“We both deserve to be happy. That’s why . . .” She stared at the sand, then looked up, a steely resolve in her eyes. “I can’t continue to be part of a fake marriage. I want out.”

Air rushed from his lungs. “I don’t understand. Things have been going well.”

“That’s part of the problem.” Her gaze softened. “Being with you has shown me I don’t want a handsome guy to hang out with and be my meal ticket. I’m not willing to wait five years for more. I want the fairytale, complete with true love and a happily ever after. Now.”

Ah, hell. A storybook romance sounded nice, but he knew better than to think that was possible. “I’m not a white-picket-fence, commitment kind of guy. Not sure I ever was.”

“I know that.” She smiled. Not a forced wearing-my-big-girl-panties, but an I-understand-and-it’s-okay smile that proved how special she was. “I used to dream about us being together.”

His heart slammed against his chest. “When?”

“High school.”

Regret stabbed at him. He longed to go back and do everything over. He swore under his breath.

“Part of me wishes you were still that guy, but you’re not,” she added, not seeming to realize her words turned his world upside down. “You’re happy jetting around the globe and having adventures, and that’s okay. I’m not the same girl I was, either.

Addie was worth giving those things up for, except he wasn’t capable of giving her the kind of life she wanted. She deserved someone who wanted the same things she did—commitment, family, love. “How long have you felt this way?”

“A couple days, but I wasn’t certain until now.” She touched his arm. “You’re an amazing man, Nick. You’ve protected me and cared for me, but I want a man who doesn’t have to give up what he wants in order to build a life with me. I did that with Grammy. It’s not fair. Or fun.”

His well-crafted life avoided the things Addie longed for, but standing here, he wasn’t sure that was the life he still wanted. Part of him wanted to grab onto Addie and not let go, but he wanted her to be happy. “So what do you want to do?”

“Divorce after the show airs. We can use the pressure of being on reality TV as the excuse. That way you don’t get into trouble with your boss, and Emily doesn’t lose her job.”

Addie was looking out for others, but she was forgetting she had no money, no job, no place to stay except his place. “I get what you’re saying. Being married to someone else will make finding Mr. Right difficult, but where will you live? How will you eat? What will you do?”

“I have no idea, but I’ll figure it out.”

“What about nursing school?”

“That was my dream when I was in high school. I’m not sure that’s the dream after taking care of my grandmother.”

“This is so . . .”

“Easy?”

“Civilized,” he said. “No screaming and yelling.”

“We’re friends.”

He and Carrie had never been friends. He’d gone home with her the first night they met at a bar. “We’ve been friends a long time.”

Addie nodded. “You’re the best.”

“Ditto.” She was something special. The thought of her giving her heart out to some guy to step on made Nick want to puke. But he couldn’t give her the life or be the kind of man she wanted. The urge to kiss her was strong, but he extended his hand instead. “Let’s find the crew so you can make your statement and the file can be uploaded today.”

She clasped her fingers with his. “We still have to play honeymooners.”

“One more day.”

Addie stared off at the horizon. “As much of a pain as this has been, I’ll miss Starfish Island.”

“Me, too.” Nick squeezed her hand. But he would miss spending time with Addie like this the most.