Page 15 of Accidental Love

Chapter Five

“You, my friend, have a lot to explain,” Candy said the moment she opened the door. I had barely raised my fist to knock when it swung open.

“Wenna!” Sky yelled, running at me. I barely had enough time to drop in a squat to catch her. Her little body slammed into mine, almost knocking me on the ground.

“Sky!” I practically yelled back as I hugged her in return.

“I missed you,” she said into my neck. Smiling, I held her tightly before standing up. “Where’s my knight?” she asked, pulling away to stare at me.

“Knight?” I glanced at Candy over her shoulder. She just shrugged at me.

“Ywes, Liam,” Sky said in a “duh” tone. I held back a grin.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. He had to work today, but he told me to tell you hi.” Her face crumpled. “Maybe if we have time we can stop by the office and see him.” Instantly, she perked right up. Liam even had a five-year-old under his thumb. Damn him and his good looks and personality.

“We should probably get going,” Candy said.

“You are right. The driver is outside waiting, and Sophia will probably be at the mall soon.”

“Sky, do you have everything you need?” Candy asked.

“Yep. I’m weady!” she exclaimed, smiling. I grinned back at her while Candy grabbed her bag and one for Sky. With a nod, I carried Sky out of their apartment and down to the car.

“Woah, nice ride,” Candy said as we came to a stop beside a black BMW idling on the curb. Liam had made sure that his driver would drive me, Candy, and Sky to the mall, and wherever else we decided to go. Before the driver could get out and open the door for us, I opened it, letting Sky get in first.

“Mrs. Stanford, I will get the door.”

“No worries, Mark, I got it, and just call me Jenna.” I waved him off. He was a different driver than the one I had seen previously, and he kept calling me Mrs. Stanford. I wasn’t married to Liam yet. Once Candy and I made sure that Sky was all settled in between us, we headed to the mall.

“So, you and Liam?” Candy asked, not skipping a beat.

“What about us?” I asked, trying to play it off like nothing.

“Jenna, don’t lie to me. One day you are working at the club, and the next you are living with some guy. What happened?”

Sighing, I turned to look at the driver. I noticed he had put music on the stereo and could hear music coming softly from the speakers. As Sky played with her stuffed animals between us, I turned to Candy.

Making sure she wouldn’t tell a soul about this, I told her everything. I left out a few details, wanting to keep them to myself. After I was finished Candy leaned back in her seat, opening and closing her mouth like a fish.

“A lot to take in, I know,” I said, twisting my engagement ring on my finger. I had gotten used to wearing it and having it off felt weird.

“Jenna, how could you have done this?” she said suddenly.

“Wait, what?” I was taken by surprise by her tone.

“Jenna, this is not a smart idea. You accepted a deal with a guy you didn’t even know, and plan to actually go through with this.”

“Candy—”

“Seriously just for money? Jen, you didn’t have to do this, for God’s sake. What happens when this ends terribly? When his family finds out?” she asked, stopping herself from raising her voice.

“I know the consequences, Candy. You don’t think I put a lot of thought into this before deciding? You think I really wanted to say yes at the beginning? I was desperate for money, Candy! I literally had one hundred dollars in my bank account. I was working myself into the ground trying to make it, and working the way I was didn’t even help,” I said, feeling kind of angry all of a sudden. “Yes, I know it wasn’t the smartest move, but now I would not take it back. This has actually been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Liam has made me feel better and loved. I haven’t had that in years, Candy. Years. He makes me feel whole. I…I love him, Candy.”

“I’m sorry, Jenna. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just shocked and thinking about my past relationship. I’m sorry.” She reached a hand out and placed it on my knee.

“I’m sorry too, Candy. I know this isn’t really the right way to do this, but I am slowly starting to think my life is going to end up okay. I have wanted someone to love me and not care about my past. Liam is that person.”

“You deserve it, Jenna. You really do. If Liam makes you happy, then I am happy for you as well.” She sent me a smile.

---