Page 20 of The Wedding Hoax

“Harry. Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack. Why?”

“We’re both adults. We can share a bed without it being weird,” I started. “Besides, if this whole marriage thing is supposed to look real, how are we going to explain it if someone decides to pop by and they notice that you’re sleeping on the couch?”

“No problem. I’ll just tell them that I prefer the couch.”

“So, your plan is to scoop even more lies on top of all the lies we’re already telling?” I scoffed as I waved him toward the bed. “Oh my God. Just come here. Lie down.”

Harry did as he was told, eventually settling in beside me. He seemed tense, his arms folded across his chest.

“See? That’s not so bad, is it?” I smiled.

“You’re right. This mattress is pretty heavenly.” He closed his eyes as he spoke. “Much better than the couch would’ve been.”

Even with his eyes closed, Harry still seemed way too rigid and tense. It was like he was seconds away from going into an important boardroom meeting instead of on his honeymoon.

Was he able to relax? Ever?

The thought of him spending the majority of his life all tensed up made me feel sad for a reason I couldn’t explain.

“You can relax, you know.” I playfully nudged him in the shoulder, trying to snap him out of his tense state. “I know you CEO types are usually in stress mode, but this is literally your honeymoon. The only thing anyone expects for either of us to do is have fun and chill out.”

“And consummate the marriage. And produce an heir.”

“Produce an heir?” I smirked. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know that we were responsible for the future of the country—”

“You know what I mean, Simone. The whole thing about legacy and my family—”

“What happens if we don’t produce an heir? Do I have to go live out the rest of my days at some faraway castle? Will the townspeople shame me for it?”

“Simone—”

“Are you going to cut off my head, Harry? If I can’t produce an heir?”

Harry started to laugh. “Simone, be serious.”

“Why?” I nudged him again. “Sure, your family is probably hoping that I pop out a baby in the next nine months, but you and I both know that’s not going to happen. This isn’t real, Harry. Which means there’s no real pressure, either.”

“Right. You’re right.” He let out a tired sigh. “We won’t even be together in nine months, will we?”

“Nope.”

“So, I don’t need to worry about letting everyone down.”

“Letting everyone down? You’re going to do incredible things with LA Now. That’s going to be your legacy.” I shrugged. “You doing great things doesn’t have to include marriage and kids. That’s not everyone’s path, anyway.”

Harry smiled as he shifted closer to me on the bed. He then turned over so that he was on his side.

“You’re so…”

“Rational? Practical? Correct about anything and everything?”

“Different,” he corrected. “You’re so different.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“A good thing. I really don’t think I’ve met anyone like you before, Simone.”

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