Page 59 of Reckless Kiss

“My lovely aunt called me late last night and left me a voicemail, telling me my brother was marrying a two-bit actress. Perhaps I should ensure your intentions are long term.”

Jason had emphasisedlovelywhen he spoke about his aunt, revealing his dislike for the woman in his tone. She couldn’t stay quiet for much longer else, the answer would be obvious.

“I think your aunt may have me confused with someone else.”

“Like an Oscar-winning actress?”

“Jason, I have to go. Archer is walking across the lawn towards me.”

He was nowhere in sight, but she wanted off the call with Archer’s brother without seeming rude.

“I’ll take it you are the one and only Erica Taylor who won an Oscar. A character in the film about a woman who enters into an arranged marriage and gets the shock of her life.”

“You saw the film?”

“Of course, I saw the film. Half the world saw the film. You’re fucking famous without your scumbag husband cheating on you.”

“He’s not my husband,” she replied.

“That’s not what the press are saying.”

“Don’t believe everything you read, Jason. The divorce came through a couple of months ago. It appears he didn’ttell his new girlfriend, who confronted me ten minutes before I went up and collected my award, seven months pregnant with his child.”

“Wow, she’s got some front to do that.”

“I split up from my ex-husband a while ago,” Erica said a little quieter.

“I’m sorry, that’s rough. He’s a fool.”

“It’s in the past.”

“I guess you don’t value marriage in the same way anymore, which is why you so readily agreed to marry Archer.”

“Something like that.”

“He’s a good guy, Erica.”

“Yeah, I’m beginning to see that. Will I have Luke and Daisy calling me too?”

“I doubt it, my aunt doesn’t like them, and I’m not going to tell them.”

“Thanks, Jason.”

“I’m keeping quiet for now. When they find out I knew, I’ll be roasted for years, so this plan had better work.”

“I understand what’s a stake. No marriage, no business, no jobs for you, no place to settle as a family. I get it.”

“What do you get out of this?”

Erica remained quiet. She didn’t know anymore. When she didn’t really know Archer, the marriage could save her pride in the public eye if they knew not only was she already divorced, she had remarried. But now? She didn’t know why she continued with the façade if his aunt insisted on a minimum of one year of marriage.

“I don’t need the money. I’m going to be a nice person. It’s better I do this than some money-grabbing woman who wouldn’t be nice to Archer. Not everyone has to have an agenda.”

“Oh, Erica, you like him.”

Erica rolled his eyes at his tone, all gushing. What wasn’t to like? Archer was handsome, kind, and determined to take care of his siblings, even entering into a fake marriage for their sake.

“He’s a great person. Of course, I like him. Do you think I’d fake marry a horrible person?”

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