Page 53 of Hers to Marry
Chapter 15
Drew would never admit that last kiss was for himself. And the reenactment was a perfect excuse. He had to make it look real. If he had actually married Kat, he would’ve definitely kissed her more than once.
And longer.
And deeper.
She wasn’t even looking at him anymore in the adoringly loving way a new bride was supposed to gaze at her husband. Maybe because this whole thing was fake. Or maybe because she was a terrible actress. After all, her talent lay in baking.
Soon after he carried her away from the crowd, she felt stiffer and heavier in his arms, even though she was as light as a feather with about twenty pounds of fabric. He didn’t want to set her down. Holding her felt too comfortable and just…fun. He wanted this reenactment to last a bit longer, so he carried her toward the changing tent.
As soon as he saw her, he knew this whole wedding thing was a setup by his grandmother. He wasn’t even sure there actually was a bride and groom who had gotten sick the night before. Too convenient. And Mrs. Kaye was definitely in on the ruse by getting her daughter here. A couple of matchmakers forgetting he was already engaged. He stifled a groan.
He. Was. Engaged.
“Please, put me down.”
“We’re almost there,” he said.
“I have legs. I can walk.”
He set her down immediately. “I was only playing the part.” Half-true.
“Well, the part is over.” She shook out her dress.
“You gotta admit that kiss was something.”
“You said make it look real.” She still ruffled her dress, although it looked perfectly fine to him.
“You saying it was fake?”
She held his gaze. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“And I’m calling your bluff. That was real, and we both know it.”
“So what if it was?” Her arms came shooting up and then fell heavily against her sides. “So what?” She about-faced, heading right back the way they’d come.
“Katrina.”
She halted. With a hand on her arm, he spun her around to face him.
When her eyes rose to his, his heart constricted. They held pain, and the longer she stared at him, the more they flooded with moisture. Was he the cause? Guilt twisted his gut.
“I have to go now.” She darted away.
Ran, actually.
“Don’t change out of your clothes!” Muriel said from behind Drew. “You’re playing the loving couple all day! We have the reception.”
Kat didn’t turn around. She ducked inside the tent.
Drew closed his eyes. “Smooth, Grandma. Really smooth.”
She shrugged with false innocence. “It’s a reenactment. These things last all day.”
He pivoted. “You really think she wants to play the part of a loving newlywed all day?”
Her smile was devious. “That kiss looked real to me. Might as well play the part.”
