Page 20 of Love You
“We were hoping you and Lewis would reconcile,” Geneva said, and Darcy felt a hot flash of anger spark through her.
First, the statement was offensive to Win, her fake husband. But more important, how could her parents want her to get back with a man who’d made her so unhappy? “Mother, that’s never going to happen.”
“Lewis is seeing someone,” Win said, and handed Geneva the cup he’d just filled. “We hear it’s serious.”
Who knew Win was a pathological liar? Darcy would’ve kicked him if he was standing closer. He kept digging them in deeper and deeper.
“Lewis never said anything about a girlfriend,” Geneva said.
Win coughed, then gave a small shrug. “She’s a stripper. People can be touchy about that sort of thing.”
Darcy shot him a death glare.Shut up!Something was seriously wrong with him.
Geneva sipped her water, gripping the glass as if it was a lifeline. “When were you married?”
“Saturday night,” Win said. “Darcy came over to my place and surprised me.”
Darcy’s mother gazed at both of them, skepticism in her eyes. Of course she was skeptical. None of anything Win said made sense. The man was deranged. A complete lying lunatic.
Just then TJ came out of his office and found them sitting next to the fireplace. He and Win exchanged glances, TJ clearly curious about what was going on.
“This is Darcy’s mom, Geneva,” Win announced.
“Oh, hey, so nice to meet you.” TJ came around the corner and extended his hand, then turned to Darcy. “You should’ve told us your mom was coming.”
“We just broke the news to her about the wedding,” Win told TJ, who looked as unconvinced as Geneva.
“Never mind.” Darcy wanted to stop this train wreck. It was bad enough she’d have to explain to her mother why she worked with a pathological liar, she didn’t want TJ involved too.
“What wedding?” TJ asked.
Win’s mouth curved up. The psycho was truly enjoying himself. “We didn’t tell my brother, either. See . . . big surprise.” He turned to TJ. “You owe us a gift.”
“There was no wedding!” Darcy wanted this to stop. Now.
TJ ignored her, going along with Win. The whole family was nuts. “You and Darcy?” he asked his brother, then dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Welcome to the family.” The rat bastard knew it was a ruse and was playing along.
“Mother, we’re not married.” How did Darcy explain that this is the way the Garner brothers got their jollies? “It’s all a big misunderstanding.”
“How do you misunderstand someone saying he’s your husband?” Geneva wasn’t finding any of this funny. “Either you are or you aren’t.”
“I give up.” Darcy threw her hands in the air. “We’re not married but believe what you want.”
Geneva looked from Darcy to Win, who flashed her one of his killer, I’m-sexy-and-I-know-it smiles, the one that said believe me, not her. He tucked Darcy under his arm and let his hand slowly brush down her side in a way that would’ve made her purr if not for the fact that Geneva was watching. Then he took it a step too far by squeezing her ass. Oh, heavens, it felt good.
She tried to step on his foot to make him stop but those phenomenal reflexes of Win’s kicked in again and he moved just in time.
TJ broke the silence, saying “I’ve got to take off,” and then staring longingly at the door. Away from Crazy Town. “Mrs. Wallace.” He bobbed his head.
She got to her feet. “It’s been a pleasure.” Her expression said just the opposite. “I was hoping we could have dinner together, Darcy. Hilde has a garden club function.”
“Of course.” Darcy would use the time to explain to her mother that Win was psycho and that they weren’t married, engaged, or even dating. “I just have to finish up here. Why don’t you browse along the shops on Main Street and I’ll text you when I’m ready to go?”
“That sounds perfect.” She gave Win a sly sideways glance that said she knew. The jig was up. Darcy was surprised Geneva hadn’t called him on his lie from the beginning, knowing full well that her daughter would never run off and get married without telling anyone.
As far as her and Win together . . . Ha! Her mother could go back to dreaming that she and Lewis would reunite. Darcy was sure she’d get an earful about it at dinner.
Geneva set off for her stroll in downtown Glory Junction and Darcy buttonholed Win in his office. “What the hell was that about?”
