Page 29 of Convenient Rivals

“I’ll marry you and go along with whatever you say to make it look as believable as possible, but behind closed doors, nothing can ever happen between us again.”

CHAPTER8

OSCAR

Tonight was the night.

The Fitzwilliam-Smythe Christmas Ball was the social event of the year, according to his mother. She had arranged a date for him, and almost squealed like a schoolgirl when he’d said he was already seeing someone and would bring him to the party instead.

She’d peppered him with questions about his new beau, as she referred to him, but Oscar had kept her at bay by assuring his mother he came from good stock and was not a commoner. She seemed delighted to hear he had his own business. His mother had always believed in people working hard, and not just having everything handed to them.

Oscar and Gregory had agreed they would use this public event to take their fake relationship public, because if either of their families reacted badly, they would not do it with an audience. Once it was in the public domain, they planned to be seen together as much as possible over the festive period. There was another ball on New Year’s Eve, because of course there was, and they’d chosen then for the proposal to happen.

That gave them a month to register and prep for the wedding, which was short enough so neither of their mothers could meddle too much in the arrangements. Neither of them wanted a fuss. This was a business arrangement, and that was it. The thought didn’t feel right to Oscar – not that he wanted to marry Gregory for real – but they had a chemistry he’d never had with anyone before, and he wanted to explore it more. Gregory had been clear nothing else was going to happen between them in that way. Oscar had wanted to protest, but knew he wouldn’t get anywhere, and at least this meant they’d spend time together. Perhaps if Gregory got to know him as he was now, and not as the stupid kid he had been, they could at least come to the end of this arrangement as friends.

Before he had to get ready for the ball and collect Gregory, Oscar had a coffee date with Abby. She’d had a lot to say when he’d explained the arrangement, and apparently she wasn’t done because the place she had chosen was a coffee-shop chain with lots of noise. This would mean she could berate him without an audience; there was no other reason. His bestie might like to think she was down with the commoners, but with coffee she was a complete snob.

He walked into the coffee shop, which was bustling with tourists, and did a quick scan. One advantage of his height was that he could see everything. Abby waved at him and help up a coffee cup – she’d already gotten his order. The plan for him to waste time in the queue was out the window.

“Sit,” she said, arching an eyebrow.

“Should I be scared?”

“It’s me who’s scared.”

“What? Why?”

“I know you, Oscar. You wouldn’t do something like this just to get your mother off your back.”

“Well, no, I’m doing it for him as well.”

“You sure you’re not hoping thisarrangementwill turn into something more permanent?”

“What?” he spluttered. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

She stared at him, daring him to not break eye contact. Abby could be intense when she wanted to be.

“He’s made it clear that nothing can happen between us again, and I respect that.”

“Nothing has happened since his brother’s birthday party?”

Oscar felt his face heat.

“When?”

“Before I put the proposal to him.”

“Did you still have his come inside you when you proposed?”

“Keep your voice down, will you?” he said, looking round. This was London, though. You could bleed to death on the street and nobody would even look at you. “It was hardly a proposal.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“And I’m not answering such a vulgar question.”

“Oooh. Look at miss high and mighty getting all prudish.”

He stared at her, wondering what she was playing at, and saw a brief flicker of a smirk.

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