Page 49 of His Fake Wife

“Of course,” I answered quickly.

******

“We need to speed things up, Janine.”

“How much?”

“I need everything done by next month.”

The woman uncrossed her legs and sat up in her chair.

“Next month? Mr. Thorne, that’s impossible.”

“The amount of money I’m paying you, you should be able to arrange everything on the goddamn moon for tomorrow, Janine.”

She huffed and gave me a disapproving scowl while she tapped something out on her phone.

“I’ll see what I can do. I’m good but I’m not a miracle worker.”

“I believe in you,” I grinned.

Janine and I went way back. Well, not us per se, her and the Thorne clan. She’d been planning most of our major events for years now.

“I need everything to be perfect,” I reminded her.

“Do I ever disappoint?” she drawled, relaxing back in her chair.

“You don’t. Don’t worry, I’ll throw in a little extra for the rush.”

“May I ask why the change in schedule?”

My eyes flew to hers. I knew her to be discrete and I needed some advice so, what the hell? Rolling my chair around my desk, I leaned in.

“You’re the only one I’m telling for now so if it gets out…”

“You insult me, Mr. Thorne,” she scoffed. “I’ve worked with your mother for years.”

Despite us being alone in my office, I still glanced around suspiciously. I wanted to laugh at myself. I was acting like I was seeing through some top secret government mission.

“Alright, I’m having a baby.”

Janine’s blonde brows shot up.

“Not me, my...wife. We’re having a baby.”

“I know what you meant,” she laughed. Her face lit up. “That’s wonderful!”

It really was. I’d warmed up to the idea when I had my suspicions, before Beth confirmed. There had been a moment of fear when it hit me that I’d be responsible for another human. Considering how much I tended to fuck up?well, not so much anymore?I wondered if I’d be a good parent. Beth has had her shit all the way together since we were kids so I had the best partner to work with.

“Beth is going on the fourth month. After she confirmed, I started thinking that maybe I should go through with my plan sooner rather than later. You know, to show her how much I love her.”

Janine had no idea that my marriage to Beth had been a business arrangement. I’d created a story about wanting to surprise her with the intimate family ceremony she’d wanted. It was crazy to want to recreate a wedding only five months in but the event planner hadn’t asked any questions. The part about wanting to give Beth her dream honeymoon because we didn’t have one was true at least.

“And you say you’re not romantic. You are,” Janine gushed.

“I try,” I sighed. “I need your advice. I’ve been reading about push presents. I had no idea that was a thing. I mean, isn't having a kid enough?”

Laughter filled my office.

---