Page 51 of Knocked Up by My Fake Fiancé
"I gotta hand it to you, boss," she said after she calmed down. "You're better at keeping secrets than I thought. If you'd asked me last week, I'd have said you hated the guy."
"Yeah." I smiled weakly. "He pissed me off last week, and we fought. That's all. But we're good now."
"Ah, so he got back at you by dismantling your hard work." She tutted. "That's petty as hell. Never took him for that type. You sure you want to marry this guy, boss? I mean, I know he's rich and everything, but that's the kind who leaves you with nothing in a messy divorce. Not saying you'll get divorced, but… You never know."
"Yeah." I sighed. "I plan on getting a good prenup."
At least that's one problem I don't have to worry about, I think to myself, since we won't really be getting married. Even the thought sends a shudder down my spine.
Then again, that time across his huge oak desk in his office, the dirty dancing in the bar, the elevator ride up to his penthouse… Can I really say I'm not attracted to the guy? Isn't there a part of me that—if I'm being honest—can't keep my damned hands off him?
I dismiss the thought with an impatient toss of my head and promise myself that as soon as I reach the apartment, I'll make a beeline for my bedroom. One positive aspect of living in Grayson's condo is the en suite bathroom that comes withthe bedroom I've been given—it's nothing short of amazing. The shower has about twenty nozzles that surround me in steaming jets that make my skin tingle and burn as they massage away the tension of the day. Yes, a shower and a change of clothes are exactly what I need right now. Or… better still… why not try out Grayson's steam room?
As I walk wearily up Central Park West from the 72nd Street subway station, the Dakota building on my left, my mind wanders back to the events of the day—and especially Grayson's behavior during that final meeting.
With Iris now privy to my engagement, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the building knew about it too. Actually, that's a good thing. At least I don't have to worry about convincing everyone the relationship is legit, because she'll do that for me.
By the end of the day, they were all staring at me like I was a zoo animal, always looking away before I could catch them. I heard whispering here and there, and it pricked at my already irritable mood. Thankfully, Grayson got a call and stomped off in a huff, forgetting all about wanting us to have dinner together after the meeting—or it would have been even worse.
By the time I left the office, I felt like a keg about to explode. The last thing I wanted was to come back to the condo and potentially run into Grayson again.
But a deal's a deal, and like it or not, I have to sleep here for the next few months. That thought brings me to the front steps of Grayson's apartment building, where a familiar figure greets residents coming and going, always ready to help with shopping bags or whatever else they need.
"Hey, Alvaro," I say. "How's it going?"
"Can't complain, ma'am," he says, pulling open the door for me.
I linger on the threshold. "Alvaro, how long have you known Mr. Wolfe—I mean, Grayson?"
He thinks for a moment. "Well, let's see… he must've been living here about ten years now."
"I see. Is he always so… irritating?"
Alvaro's eyes widen, so I rush to explain. "Don't get me wrong, I love him, but sometimes I just want to strangle him and drag his body into the desert so vultures can peck out his eyes. You know."
Humor flickers in his eyes. "That's very… expressive, ma'am."
I shrug. "I'm an expressive kind of girl. Have you ever felt like that?"
"Can't say I have. Though we've had our moments. He was a real nightmare a couple of years ago."
"What happened two years ago?" I ask. He gives me a look like I should already know.
"You know—after the breakup."
"Oh, right." I pretend to follow but truly have no clue. "The breakup. Yeah, that was nasty."
"It was worse than nasty. I've never seen Mr. Wolfe like that. He really loved that lady, you know…" He catches himself. "I mean, I'm sure he's over it now, and I'm quite sure he never loved her as much as he loves you."
"Yeah, I'm sure," I say, though an uncomfortable feeling twists in my gut. I suddenly recall Grayson's sister mentioning that I look like a woman named Marina—and the way he reacted.
Was Marina the ex? Is he not over her?
Stephanie also mentioned a wedding. Is Marina getting married? Is that why he's doing all this—so he doesn't look like a loser in front of her? Or is he trying to replace her? Is that why he's drawn to me?
The questions circle in my head, adding to my already explosive tension.
I want to ask Alvaro more, but I can't without revealing too much. He thinks our relationship is real, so he probably assumes Grayson has already told me everything. If I ask questions that show I don't know… yeah, bad idea.
