Page 83 of Faking I Do
“Thank you.” She turned to me, her mouth spread into a smile.
“Lacey? You up here?” a voice floated up the stairs from below.
I seized the opportunity to get that kiss I’d been craving. I took her in my arms, dipping her backward, lining my lips and my hips up with hers.
Her arms clasped around my shoulders, holding on tight. Mouth to mouth, heart to heart, I teased her lips apart, sighing as I relaxed into the kiss.
“There you are.” Zina huffed as I set Lacey upright. “I see you two have been working real hard.”
Lacey wiped at her lip, her gaze bouncing from Zina to me. “I was just showing Bodie what we’ve done to the third floor.”
“Sure you were.” Zina shook her head. “I can’t believe the two of you are going through with this.”
“Wait, you told her?” I asked.
“Yeah. You don’t have to pretend to love me around Zina. She knows.” Lacey glanced at the floor.
“I know and I think it’s one of the stupidest ideas you’ve ever had. You should know better,”—she glared at me, making me feel like I’d just been doused in ice water—“both of you.”
“It’s okay, she’s not going to tell anyone,” Lacey said.
I looked to the ceiling. “So who else? Your dad, now Zina? Who else knows we’re not for real?” “Not for real.” The words dropped into my gut like a load of bricks, hollowing out everything on the way.
“That’s it,” Lacey said.
“Ahem.” Zina cleared her throat. A look passed between the women.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I furrowed my brow. “Aren’t we past the point of keeping secrets?” My heart squeezed tight. I was a fine one to bring that up. I’d been the one keeping the secrets all along.
“Well, there is the small problem of Adeline.” Lacey’s shoulders rose and fell. “She got so mad at me for ruining her wedding that she’s opening up her own wedding venue in Swynton.”
“So?”
“And she’s taken every one of the vendors she lined up with her, so we need to find a new band to play the reception.”
“No big deal. I know a guy.”
“And she’s trying to convince Samantha to come cover her wedding instead.” Lacey bit down on her lower lip.
Zina cocked a hip. “I think you should let her.”
“But then we don’t get the media coverage.” Lacey stepped in front of me and straightened my shirt. “So we have to be extra charming during today’s interview, okay?”
Extra charming. Sure, I could do that. “When will Samantha decide which wedding she’s going to feature?”
“She said she’ll let me know by the end of the week. I know I’ve been asking a lot of you, but can we really turn it on today? Pretend we’re really in love?” Her eyes shone.
“Yeah. I think I can manage that.” I almost leaned in to kiss her again.
But then Zina whomped us both over the head with a pillow she’d picked up from the couch. “Y’all are asking for it, if you ask me.”
“Good thing no one’s asking you, then.” I winked at her, ready to play the part of the loving, head-over-heels fiancé. As I followed Lacey back down the stairs, I couldn’t help but think, it wouldn’t take much faking this time.
CHAPTER 41
LACEY
I carefully traipseddown the stairs in my strappy heels. I’d brought clothes to the house so I could get cleaned up here and not have to run home before the interview. If all went according to plan, I’d be walking down these same steps in just a few weeks on my way to marry Bodie in the garden out back.
