One Hot Fake: An Accidental Fake Marriage Romance by Sarah Brooks (nice books to read .TXT) 📕

in the car, but it’s completely understandable. She’s about to meet her father’s family, and there’s bound to be tension.

I make small talk that doesn’t need a lot of input from Marian. When we get to her father’s place, she looks at the house as if it’s going to gobble her up.

“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?” I ask her.

She lets out a nervous laugh. “It’s very tempting, but I need to do this on my own.” She leans across her seat to kiss me.

“Remember, call if you need me,” I tell her and watch as she gets out of the car and walks up to the front door. No one would tell by watching her that she’s nervous. I want to pound my chest like a gorilla, with pride.

Only after she has entered the house do I drive off toward the bar. It’s five minutes away and knowing that Marian is close by makes me feel better about the whole situation.

The bar is a typical small-town bar. Dark when you enter, and curious eyes immediately swing toward you. I make my way to the counter and slide into a barstool.

“Hello there,” the bartender, a middle-aged man, says. “What can I get you?”

“A beer is fine,” I tell him while glancing at my surroundings.

A slight man is seated to my right, and he watches me covertly until I turn to him, and he looks away. I inquire about the food, and I’m delighted that their cook is in. I order a steak and potatoes and sit back to enjoy my beer.

I listen to the conversation between the bartender and the man on my right. They’re discussing some town hall meeting a few days ago. Ten minutes later, the bartender slides a plate in front of me.

It smells wonderful, and I eat with gusto without stopping until I’m done.

“Another one for you, Leonard?” The barman asks, and I go still.

“Sure,” the guy on my right says.

It’s him. Marian’s ex. The one who hit her. Anger coils in my stomach. I study him and notice that he has a permanent smirk on his face. I’d like to punch it off.

“I haven’t seen you around here,” he says when he notices that I’m watching him. “You must be new.”

“What’s it to you?” I ask him.

“Whoa,” he says, raising his hands in the air. “Just making conversation. I’m not looking for a fight.”

“I know you’re not,” I say, unable to control my anger. “Men like you like to punch women, not men.”

His face scrunches up, and his eyes bulge with sudden anger. “Do you want to take that back?”

“No.”

He stands up, and as quick as a flash, I get up too. I need him to throw the first punch, which he does. I easily move to one side, and it flies past harmlessly, unbalancing Leonard. I wait for him to right himself, then land a nice hard punch to his nose. Blood sputters, staining both our shirts.

“That one’s for Marian,” I tell him.

Chapter 24

Marian

This dinner has got to be the most awkward that I’ve ever been to. For starters, it looks as if Terri and Dad fought as she keeps shooting daggers at him. The only hit is Michelle, my baby stepsister. She’s a little blonde girl with a gorgeous toothless smile and a happy disposition.

She is a good distraction until she has to go to bed just after dinner.

“We can have wine in the living room,” Dad says and stands up.

“I’ll help clear up,” I say, and he and Terri say no at the same time.

I follow Dad to the living room and sit down while he wrestles with a wine bottle before he gets it open. Terri returns to the living room with three wine glasses. She hands one to each of us, and Dad pours.

“A toast?” Dad says and stands up. “To Marian, may you continue to be part of our lives.” Tears fill his eyes.

“To Marian,” Terri says. “We missed you.” She sounds sincere. Maybe she is.

“Thanks.”

I feel the same tension that I’d felt at the dining table. “Are you guys okay? I hope that my visit didn’t cause any problems.”

“Of course not,” Dad says. “How can you think that?”

“It’s not you,” Terri says. She puts the wine glass on the table with more force than necessary. “You’re family, so I don’t see why I should pretend that all’s well between your father and me.”

“Terri,” Dad says in a raised voice.

She ignores him. I feel as if I’ve entered the movie set, and no one gave me a script, so I have to wing it.

“Your father is having an affair with his new secretary,” Terri says, her voice shaky.

“I am not,” my dad says. “She’s always accusing me of having affairs with all my secretaries. I’ll be honest with you, Terri, I’m sick of it,”

Angry, accusing words fly back and forth. I’m pretty sure that my dad is not having an affair. If he were, he would say it. He’s an honest man even when he’s cheating.

Karma is a bitch. Because Terri was Dad’s secretary, she knows how it starts, and her imagination is probably tormenting her. I see it as my chance to leave. I take out my phone to text Declan.

I’m ready to go.

He responds seconds later, saying that he’s parked outside. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I drain my wine and jump to my feet. Dad and Terri look at me in surprise.

“Why are you leaving so soon?” Terri asks.

“I have appointments early tomorrow morning,” I say.

“Oh,” my dad says and gets up.

“Thank you for having me,” I say.

“You’re welcome,” Terri and Dad both say.

Dad walks me out. “I hope we can become friends.”

“I’m sure we will,” I say cheerfully, and with a wave, I hurry to the car.

I feel as if I’ve escaped from prison. That environment is toxic, and I hope they can sort out their issues for the sake of Michelle. I kiss Declan and