Page 141 of Some Like It Hot

“Hi, Mom.”

“You need to find your cell phone. It’s pinging in your apartment, just an FYI.”

My mother has me on Find My Phones because well, I lose my phone all the time. “I have looked for it. I don’t know where it is.”

Maybe it’s in the refrigerator. I walk over, phone still pressed to my ear and open the door. No phone in the fridge.

“But first you need to explain to me why my friend Linda was the one to tell me that my daughter got married today.”

Thankfully, the cord to the phone also reaches over to one of my stools. I slump down onto it. “I’m sorry. Mom, it’s not real. Blake and I are doing it so that he can inherit his grandmother‘s cabin. She told him he had to be married for her to give it to him. That’s it. I’m doing a favor for a friend. But it’s gotten all blown up because he’s a famous hockey player. And honestly…”

I trail off and my mom stays quiet for a moment, then she says, “And you didn’t think it through.”

Unlike when my father talks about me being scatterbrained or unorganized, my mother‘s words come out with affection. “I really didn’t. And I should have. The thing is it doesn’t mean anything to us so we didn’t think about it meaning anything to anyone else.”

“I see. Well, that is quite a favor.”

“It is,” I agree. “But I know what it feels like to have your family a little too involved in your life and the choices you are trying to make. So when he asked for my help, I agreed. Almost immediately. Plus, I really like him. He's a very good guy. And he really wants and deserves that cabin.”

"You looked absolutely gorgeous in all the photos," my mother says. She pauses, then adds, “Those photos looked very real Elise. You looked extremely happy. Even in love, I would say. I know you’re used to being on stage and playing a part. You're a very good actress.”

There’s something in her voice. Something that tells me she’s not entirely convinced.

“Oh. Well, good. I want to sell it. For Blake’s sake.”

“Sure. For Blake’s sake,” she repeats. “And the marriage is not real, is that right? You just went to the courthouse together, all dressed up, to take photos so people would think that it was?”

“Well no. It is legal. But…” I have to swallow hard. “It’s not real.” My voice is definitely shaky now.

“Elise?” my mom asks in her I-know-you-so-just-cut-the-crap voice. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I want it to be real.” I feel tears stinging my eyes. And then I say the words out loud for the first time. “Mom, I’m in love with Blake Wilder.”

CHAPTER 34

Elise

True to their word, Luna and Cameron get me out of the bakery without anyone seeing me and then into the arena by parking in the players’ lot and using a back door. The security people don’t even blink, clearly used to seeing these two.

But my anonymity ends the second we step off the VIP elevator and onto the concourse. People start turning and pointing and talking.

And as I follow Luna and Cam down the steps toward our regular seats, suddenly the wedding march is blasting over the intercom.

I stop, the crowd erupts in cheers and whistles, and I look up at the Jumbotron to find myself front and center.

The only thing I can do is blush, smile, and wave.

I am Mrs. Blake Wilder. Legally. At least for now.

I look down on the ice and find Blake immediately. He has stopped his warm-ups and is watching me come down the steps.

I blow him a kiss, and he puts his hand over his heart as he gives me a huge grin.

The crowd goes wild.

Yeah, that’s pretty sweet.

Well, so far, so good.

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