Page 9 of The Marriage Sham
Chapter Five
Frances
Idon’t know what it is with this man and shocking me speechless.
The first time was our senior year in high school when he sat next to me in English class, talking to me like it was the most natural thing in the world. He’d never paid attention to me before even though I’d certainly seen him around. I admit to a healthy dose of staring and whispering and giggling about him with my bestie, Helena. I became obsessed with him and his boy-next-door good looks. He was popular, a good athlete, and an all around nice guy.
By the time prom rolled around, I had my hopes up. We’d been talking every day in class, even getting together in the library to work on projects or study for tests. Helena consoled me and came up with fifty good reasons why he didn’t ask me to prom. In fact, he didn’t ask anyone.
So as not to miss our own senior prom, Helena and I got ready together, gussied up in our new dresses and did each other’s hair and makeup. When we got to the gym, all decked out in streamers and light strands, we immediately started dancing, ready to enjoy our night, dates or no dates. As soon as Fen walked in, I pointed him out to Helena, who turned her back to me and walked away without a word.
Right to Fen.
Next thing I know, she’s dancing with him, her arms wrapped around his neck, pressed up entirely too close to him. Between the breath knocked out of my body and the tears that blurred my vision, I still managed to see the moment when they kissed, oblivious to all the kids dancing around them. Or my heart breaking right there on the dance floor by myself.
I ran out of the gym and decided to keep running. Right to Atlanta after graduation, where I was determined to make a life for myself. No more back stabbing best friends. No more pining over boys.
And here I am, ten years later, back in Love, knocked speechless by the same boy (scratch that, he is definitely allmannow) who ruled my thoughts and dreams for years.
Nope. No way. I am not doing this. I have enough on my plate right now. There is no way I can add “dealing with Fen” to my overflowing plate of responsibilities.
With that firmly in my mind, I step back and straighten my spine. “Yeah. No. There’s no way that’s going to happen.”
He steps forward. “Hear me out. Earl’s health is declining, and he wants you married before he’s gone. I can help you give him that peace of mind. You just have to let me.”
I bark out a laugh, not even caring that I sound hysterical at this point. “I don’t have to do anything of the kind. We used to know each other in high school. That doesn’t mean we know each other now! And why would you do this? What are you getting out of it?”
He shrugs, like it’s no big deal. Offering to marry me? Is he crazy? “I’m not saying we’re planning to dance the funky chicken at our 50th wedding anniversary, but I think we can pull off staying married for as long as Earl is with us. If it would make him happy and make your life a little easier at the same time, what’s the harm?”
I throw my hands out to the side, hoping to snap him out of whatever pretend world he’s living in where getting married is a good idea. “What’s the harm?! The harm is we’d be faking our marriage! The harm is we’d be forced together like a married couple in love!”
His face droops, and I swear I see his eyes shutter before he spins around and opens the refrigerator like he lives here. “Would that be so horrible? I mean, we were friends in high school. I liked you then, I’m sure I like you now. It wouldn’t be that hard to fake it for Earl’s sake, would it?”
His words soothe some long forgotten hurt before I catch myself and firm up my resolve not to fall for his tricks again. “That was a long time ago.” I push past him and get out the casserole in the freezer Harold and Betty brought over earlier this morning.
He doesn’t really move out of my way, more like pitches forward so my arm has no choice but to drag across his chest with the casserole dish in hand. A shiver runs up my body, and I tamp it down. I have no time for shivers or giggling over men these days. I get busy defrosting the food in the microwave, happy to have my back to him so I can get my wits together.
My body betrays me again with another wave of shivers when he runs his finger across the back of my neck. He’s moved in close, not giving me the distance I need to get my emotions under control.
“Your hair has gotten so long. I always loved your hair color.” He’s sweeping stray strands of hair away from my neck, murmuring under his breath. It’s intimate, it’s sweet. It’s so not what I want.
“Fen—“ I’m cut off from arguing with him when Granddaddy’s wheelchair hits the doorway to the kitchen.
Fen is over by him, helping him get the wheel around the doorway before I have a chance to assist. The man moves fast. In all senses of the word.
“Granddaddy, what are you doing? I said I’d bring your dinner out to you,” I chastise him for not resting like the doctor told him.
He shoos me off impatiently. “Oh, that’s just silly. I can help you, or at the very least keep your husband company while you get the food ready. Anything’s better than watching that stupid box in there.”
I ignore his common complaint about the lack of any good T.V. shows and focus on his confusion about the husband issue.
Squatting down so we’re eye level, I think if he really sees me, he might remember what’s going on or maybe see the truth in my eyes. “Fen and I aren’t married, Granddaddy.”
His eyebrows bunch together, and he looks ready to pitch a fit. I brace for his commentary, knowing he can’t be happy about my statement, but I can’t produce a husband out of thin air just because he wants it.
Before Granddaddy can say anything, Fen reaches down and hauls me up, his strong arm around my waist, locking me into his side. He has a big grin on his face, and I instantly know I’m not going to like what he has to say, even if I secretly enjoy being pressed up close to him.
“You beat me to it, Earl. I was just going to ask Frances to marry me. Do I have your permission to ask her?”
Granddaddy’s face clears, and the most beautiful smile nearly splits his face in two. He glances between the two of us, his gaze finally settling on mine, a look of pride melting my heart and softening my stance. I’m not happy with Fen for putting me on the spot like this, but seeing how happy it makes Granddaddy, I’m conflicted.
I mean really, what harm is there in making his last few months happy ones? Will it be so bad to pretend to be married? We both know it’s only temporary.
“You’d make me a very happy old man, Fenwick.” Granddaddy lifts his hand, and he and Fen shake on it. Fen takes it further and pulls him into a hug. Tears fill Granddaddy’s eyes and take away any choice I have in the matter.
I have to do this.
For Granddaddy’s sake.
