Page 48 of Faking It with my Billionaire Grump

“You want a beer?” I ask.

Tilly nods and smiles. “Sure.”

“Okay. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

As I head toward the bar at the rear, I spot the guys already merrily enjoying the festivities. Upon seeing me, they all cry out in a welcoming roar.

“Here he is. The married man,” Chris chuckles.

I roll my eyes and lift a hand to the bartender, who nods and approaches.

“Two beers, please.”

The bartender heads away to get them, and I turn to the guys.

“Is she here with you?” Phil asks.

“No. I thought I’d leave her back at the house by herself,” I quip back sarcastically.

The others laugh, and then I turn and point her out. As far as I know, none of them have seen Tilly yet, even though she’s been back a few weeks.

“Wow, she hasn’t changed a bit,” Joey gasps.

“What were you expecting?” I say, a bit surprised.

“I don’t know.” Joey shrugs.

I shake my head at him and turn back to the bar at the same time the bartender hands over the beers.

“Come on,” I say to the others. “I want you to say hello. Tilly’s nervous and thinks the whole town hates her.”

When we get to her, there are hugs all around, and I’m super proud of the guys for making Tilly feel welcome. I didn’t need to ask. I knew they would have my back.

“So, Mrs. Coulter,” Chris says with a wink. “How’s married life?”

Tilly giggles. “Well, apart from Jake’s incessant snoring, everything’s just peachy.”

This sets the guys off laughing.

“I do not snore,” I say, pretending to be offended.

“Have you ever noticed how tired your animals are?” she comes back. “That’s because the noise you make keeps the whole ranch up half the night.”

We banter for a little while longer, and then I ask Tilly if she wants to dance.

“It’ll be our first dance as a married couple,” I say.

She smirks at me, smiles back at the guys, and then we make our way to the dance floor.

19

Tilly

Okay, so maybe Iam a little bit paranoid. And maybe I should have trusted Jake when he told me that the town hasn’t held a grudge for all these years. I mean, if his closest friends have forgiven me, I can only assume that just about everyone else has done the same.

The barn is heaving with people, and all I’ve seen so far are knowing smiles and nods of acknowledgment. Besides, Chris, Phil, and Joey always did make me laugh.

When we get to the dancefloor, though, I can feel eyes on us. Maybe it’s just because what we’re doing is such a novelty for a small town. Well, realistically, it would be a novelty anywhere, right? I mean, how many people pretend to get married to get rid of an ex?

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