Page 55 of Fauxmance in the City

“Max?” I approach cautiously.

He’s typing on his phone but shoves it in his pocket, then stands upright as I round the wall.

“Are you okay?” Leaning against the wall next to him, I stare at the small bandstand on the other side where a four-piece string orchestra is setting up and tuning their instruments.

He smiles, but it’s forced. “I’m sorry about earlier. I lost myself.”

I shrug. “It’s already forgotten.”

His phone buzzes, and he reads the screen. Then his head shoots up in alarm, and he scans the park.

“I’ve gotta go, uh…do something.” Max scurries off. I’m mildly curious about his sudden exit, but I don’t follow.

When Sam finds me a few minutes later, he’s bookended by an older couple, a frown on his chiseled features. The smart-looking couple wears matching shearling coats and friendly smiles.

“Hi,” I say.

“Catelyn!” The woman beams. “I’m always asking Sammy to introduce us to you. He’s so cagey, though he talks about you nonstop. I’m Sam’s mom.”

“Oh.” Surprised, I glance at Sam. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”

The sound of Gillian’s heels reverberating off the concrete pavement as she marches toward us draws my attention. She’s making a beeline for our little group. Sam and I exchange a panicked glance, and my heart skitters in my chest at the oncoming collision.

“Is that Gillian Kennedy? Can we meet her too?” Sam’s mom asks.

“No,” Sam and I both yell.

“I mean, everything is so hectic with the shooting,” Sam says, trying to pull them away. “You should have texted first instead of showing up unannounced.”

“I wanted to finally meet your Catie,” his mom says, and my belly flutters at her reference to me. “Introduce us properly.”

“Catie, these are my parents, Adam and Carol Harding. My mom’s a big fan.” Sam rushes through the introductions. “Catie’s in the middle of filming. Let’s grab a coffee and let her get back to shooting.” Sam pulls at his mom’s arm, but she yanks it back.

“Sam always talks about you. I’ve begged him to bring you over, but he’s so protective when it comes to you.” Carol musses his hair like he’s ten, and he bats her off, but there’s a small smile on his face. “He’s worried we’ll embarrass him.”

“Thanks for that, Mom,” he says wryly and again tries to steal his parents away but it’s too late. Gillian is here.

“I need to talk to you both.” Gillian’s large tote almost knocks me over as she pushes into the group. “I want to speak to your husband about a few details regarding his potential new position, which involves you, too, Mrs. Bloom.”

“Husband?” Carol’s expression is incredulous as she searches for rings on both our hands—a little detail everyone seems to have missed until this moment. “Honey, what is she talking about?”

Gillian doesn’t pay Carol any attention.

“I’ve decided we should do a cover story about you two. Everyone will fall in love with the Simply Chic couple. Like the new Chip and Joanna, except more glam—the chic homemaker and the handsome sportswriter. America will swoon.” Gillian pats Sam on the back. “Catie, you’ve been noticeably quiet about your talented husband. But that is about to change.”

“What is she talking about?” Carol stares imploringly at Sam.

“Ms. Kennedy, what a great idea. Let’s discuss it where it’s quieter.” Sam guides Gillian away from the group, and he gives me a look that pleads for me to handle his parents.

“What’s going on?” Carol’s face is flushed, and her breath is coming out in short gasps. “Sam isn’t married.”

“Of course not.” Reaching out, I hold her hand in mine to reassure her. “It’s just a little white lie we had to tell Gillian.”

“What about your husband?” Carol squeezes my hand, her eyes etched with worry. “Sam’s alluded that he’s away a lot, but…I don’t understand.”

“That’s the problem.” Biting my lip, I look instinctively for Natalie, but then I remember she went to drop the canapés at the townhouse. “Things aren’t going so well between my husband and me, and Gillian would fire me if she found out America’s happy homemaker is getting a divorce, so Sam stepped in. It’s just a little reality TV sleight of hand until I sort things out. My husband’s a private person, and Gillian’s never met him, so…”

“Divorces are so hard.” She wraps me in a hug, but there’s a minuscule smile on her face. “Sam should take you out to cheer you up.”

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