Page 9 of Married to the Frenemy

I steal a glance at the parking lot outside the tasting room, relieved to see Haley’s dark SUV pulling away. I whistle for Monte to follow me and start toward the barrel building.

“What did you tell her?” Jude presses, trailing behind me.

“The truth. I’m booked through March. There’s nothing I can do for her.”

“Or,” he prods.

“Or…what?”

His lips curve into that mischievous grin I remember from our childhood. The one that usually led to us getting into trouble.

Still, I always went along with his crazy plans.

“Or maybe you could both help each other.”

“What are you talking about?”

“She could be the solution to your little problem with Grady. In exchange, you give her a place to live.”

I come to an abrupt stop and face my brother. He’s only an inch shorter than my six-three frame, his hair the same dark shade, although not as long.

“What are you suggesting? That I marry Haley McBride so Grady will sell me the vineyard?” I bark out a laugh at how ridiculous it sounds. “No way. Grady would never believe it.”

“On the contrary,” Jude retorts as I continue down the path. His footsteps crunch on the dirt beneath his feet as he catches up. “If Grady’s going to believe you married anyone, it’s Haley. He knows you’ve had a thing for her since you were kids.”

“He also knows what I did to her.”

“It was an accident. When the hell are you going to stop beating yourself up over one stupid mistake?”

“One stupid mistake that nearly sent her to the goddamn morgue.”

Jude doesn’t insist I’m being ridiculous. Instead, he glares at me.

“We barely talk,” I add, pushing down the memories of that summer. Of the night that completely changed my life. “We’re not even friends, let alone close enough for anyone to think we’ve suddenly fallen head over heels in love with each other.”

“You can try to deny it all you want, but I see how you look at her.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off with a raised hand.

“You still have feelings for her. I see it. Anyone with eyes can see it. Which is why Haley’s the perfect woman for you to fake marry.”

I stare at my brother, convinced I must be hallucinating. Or that I’m asleep and this is a dream. Or, more appropriately, a nightmare. That can be the only possible explanation for why my normally practical and even-headed brother would suggest I ask Haley to marry me so I can buy the vineyard, especially given our past.

Years ago, I swore I’d stay as far away from her as possible. That I’d never ruin her life again. Asking her to marry me and living together? It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

“You’ve lost your mind.” I pick up my pace, practically jogging toward the barrel room.

“I prefer to say I’m thinking outside the box.” He touches a hand to my arm, forcing me to come to a stop. “You want the vineyard, don’t you? Don’t want all your years of hard work to go to someone who’s never stepped foot on this land?”

“Of course.”

“Then this is perfect. Haley needs a place to live. You need a wife. It’s a win-win. If you want Grady to believe it’s real, she’s your only option, Beck.”

As much as I hate to admit it, my brother does have a point.

Grady knows all about our history. How we were inseparable when we were kids. How we were each other’s first kiss. How we didn’t see each other much as she got older. How we reconnected right before we were both supposed to go off to college.

How neither of us were able to go.

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