Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
One day, I was going to be a divorcée. I wasn’t sure either of us had processed how big that was and how it might impact us down the road.
There were lots of things we hadn’t considered when we impulsively decided to do this. For instance, I certainly hadn’t predicted how attached I’d get to this freaking engagement ring after only a day of wearing it.
Forcing my gaze from my ring finger as the lift taking me up to the Pennington office floor drew to a stop, I strolled across the marble floor, making a beeline for my office so I didn’t have to speak to anyone yet. Well, anyone other than Eli.
I had hoped to come into the office after a good sleep, feeling well-rested and ready to face my entire team with the news, but it had taken me forever to drown out the voices of my family last night.
Having decided it was best I face my dad and Grace alone, I’d left Baird after he’d introduced me to his manager, who was shocked to say the least. Brian seemed resigned to the news, though I got the feeling he wearily accepted this as another crazy thing Baird was doing this year. He ended our conversation saying he hoped this meant Baird was finally going to settle down and get on with the game and that his performance today gave him hope that might be true.
Brian’s behavior toward Baird irritated me because my friend had been through so much, and his actions of late were clearly him acting out against the fear he’d experienced after his injury. He wouldn’t talk to me about it, but I thought for sure the men around him at the club would have a better handle on it. Apparently not. It seemed it might be down to me to push Baird and get him to open up and talk about the lasting effects from the head injury.
Callan and John were lovely, though Callan did remind me I needed to call my cousin Beth to tell her the news.
However, I had my parents to deal with first.
After evading the truth with Callan, John, and Baird’s gaffer, and feeling icky after it, I was so glad I didn’t have to lie to my parents about the engagement.
At least I was at first.
Until my dad shot up from his couch and demanded, “Are you insane?”
My stepmum, Grace, an elegant Englishwoman, spoke with a softness that belied the steel in her spine. “Logan, I don’t think that language is helpful.”
“Insane?” He glowered at Grace. “You don’t think this scheme is insane?”
She glowered right back. “I wouldn’t use such a hostile word, no.”
My dad’s handsome face softened minutely. He turned to me. “Okay, what I meant to say is … I’m worried about you.”
I looked at Grace. She nodded and gave me a concerned but reassuring smile.
“Didn’t you hear what I said about my job? What my boss said?”
“Aye. And it’s illegal. They can’t fire you.”
“Not outright. But they’ll find a way to do it legally. I’ve seen it before. They’re big on loyalty and team player stuff at Pennington’s. I’ve worked too hard to lose my position now.”
Dad slumped into his seat. “So, you’re going to lie to the entire world and get married to a man you don’t love?”
“It’ll help Baird’s image too,” I responded weakly.
“I think this is a very big, fraudulent plan, and maybe I wouldn’t be so worried if it weren’t for the fact that Will broke your heart five weeks ago,” Grace offered quietly.
Dad nodded. “What Grace said.”
Despite my hammering pulse, I firmly pronounced, “I’m doing this. It’s a blip of time in the grand scheme of things. It’s not illegal because we’re not doing it for a visa or something like that.”
“I think you’ll find falsely making a statement in your marriage vows is considered perjury in this country and therefore is illegal,” Grace relayed.
My heart stopped. “Grace!”
“What? I’m just letting you know what you’re really gearing up to do.”
Damn it. I did not know that.
Was it going to stop me, though?
Nope.
“Well, I didn’t want to lie to you guys when I’ll have to lie to everyone else. I told you the truth. But … you can’t tell Lockie.” Guilt consumed me. “He’s too young. He might tell the wrong person and then I really will get into trouble.”
Dad’s jaw clenched before he unclenched it and snapped, “You’re going to lie to your wee brother? What if he gets attached to Baird? You know he’s a Caley fan and already worships the ground that bloke walks on.”
“It’s just for a little while. Stop acting like I’m committing a big crime that’s going to emotionally scar everyone.” I stood up, trembling. “Except for that one time I went to a club with Layla the sociopath when I was sixteen, I have always done the right thing. The expected thing. I decide for once in my life to take a risk and do something a wee bit mad that will help my career, and you’re acting like I’ve robbed a goddamn bank!”