Page 14 of Rafferty

Foster holds up his hand. “You don’t have to justify anything to me, Rafferty. I know you wouldn’t pull any crap like what she’s claiming.”

The rest of the guys nod their agreement and I’m relieved. Because what I’m getting ready to ask of them is beyond crazy.

“So, you’ve been dodging Tansy like slap shots,” King says with a smirk. “Doesn’t seem to be working.”

“Not working,” I agree with a sigh. “She surprised me in the grocery store last week, and well, I thought I had a way to make her back off.” I launch into the story of how I kissed Tempe, how she went right along with the ruse. Their mouths all drop, except for North’s. I explain that Tansy isn’t buying it, even after Tempe came to the photo shoot day before yesterday. “But North and I thought maybe if I continued the ruse over the next few weeks, that would deter Tansy from following through on her threat to go to Brienne and finally get her to give up. So I talked to Tempe and she’s willing to do it.”

I’m met with utter silence. North cups his hand over his mouth to contain his laugh.

“So you have… a fake girlfriend?” Atlas asks, his lips quivering in a valiant attempt not to crack up. It doesn’t work though, and he issues a hoarse bark of mirth, head tipped back. “Only you could end up in a sitcom scenario!”

“And this random girl, Tempe… she agreed to do this?” Foster asks.

“She’s… she’s not just some random girl.” I find myself defending Tempe more vehemently than I expected. “She’s smart, funny and she’s got her own stuff going on. It’s not like I’m using her—she’s getting something out of this too.”

“Let me guess—this involves the wedding, doesn’t it?” Foster asks, already piecing it together.

“Yeah, I need you guys to back me up at Stone and Harlow’s wedding. Play along that Tempe and I have been seeing each other for a while, especially to Tansy when she comes around, and I know she will. If I can convince her it’s legit at the wedding, then that would be great.”

Although, admittedly, that would mean I wouldn’t see Tempe anymore and that’s not a pleasant feeling.

King shakes his head, chuckling. “This is insane, Raff. But you know we’ve got your back. What about the other guys?”

“We keep it tight. Only we know it’s a ruse. To everyone else, Tempe’s just someone I’ve kept low key,” I explain, hoping my plan holds water.

“Shouldn’t we meet her before the wedding?” Atlas suggests, ever the strategist. “Get our stories straight and all.”

“That’s not a bad idea.” I have no clue if Tempe’s available, but the thought of seeing her today is way too appealing. Even if it’s just in the furtherance of our caper. “Actually, why not now? I’ll give her a call, see if she’s up for meeting you guys. Unless maybe you want to grab dinner tonight?”

Foster and King immediately shake their heads. “Got plans tonight,” King says.

“Going to dinner with Mazzy’s parents,” Foster adds.

“It’s now or never,” Atlas says, and Foster, North and King agree.

Whipping out my phone, I dial Tempe, heart kicking against my ribs as I wait for her to pick up.

“Hello,” she says, almost tentatively, but she has my number programmed in her phone. She knows it’s me. I guess she’s shocked I would call as we already have our plans set for me to pick her up Thursday evening for the wedding.

“Hey, Tempe, it’s Rafferty. Any chance you’d be up for some visitors?”

“Visitors?”

“I’m sitting here with my best guys, all successfully recruited to perpetuate our lie at Stone’s wedding.” I glance over and they’re nodding in encouragement. “And they thought maybe they should get to know you a bit so it’s more authentic.”

There’s silence as she considers, then she says, “If we put on a really good act at the wedding, especially your cohorts adding said authenticity, it could drive Tansy away forever.”

“And you’d be free of me,” I say, ignoring the feeling of disappointment at the prospect.

“Well, that would be the downside,” she quips, and that disappointment turns to a fuzzy warmth in my chest.

“Want to meet us for some lunch and a beer?”

“Oh, I can’t right now. I’m in the middle of installing mobility rails for my mom. Dinner instead?”

“Not everyone can do dinner tonight.” The disappointment swamps me again, but an idea strikes. “Actually… how about we come over and install the rails for you? We can talk while we work.”

“Oh…” She breathes into the phone. “Um… I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

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