The Fake Engagement Favor Read online

  Her mind was cloudy enough without having to guess anything. “To know what?”

  “That you’re dating Gage Tremaine.”

  Gianna sat upright on the bed, forgetting about the ache in her head. She hadn’t yet figured out how to explain this to her best friend, or if she even should. “Why do you think that?”

  “Is it true, Gia?”

  “Well, uh...tell me why you think that?”

  “You were seen with him at Triple Scoop. And last night, you had dinner with him at the Rhinestone Room, for heaven’s sake. It’s been all over social media.”

  It’s exactly what Gage’s manager wanted. The social media buzz meant their little plan was working. But Brooke was a true-blue friend, and she hated lying to her. Gianna didn’t know if she could, especially since their engagement announcement would make big news tomorrow.

  “I can explain all that.” But could she? Could she explain away her phony relationship with Gage? Her mind wasn’t clear enough to make that decision now.

  “I’m listening.”

  “I can’t really talk right now. Someone took a sledgehammer to my head,” she whispered. “I drank too much last night. I can barely focus on anything. Can I call you later?”

  Brooke hesitated. “Are you...okay, Gianna?”

  Brooke knew she’d been having trouble accepting her mother’s passing. And her friend had been regularly checking in on her, making sure she was managing. “Because if you need me, I’ll come right over.”

  “Thank you. You’re the best, but I’ll be fine.”

  “But Gage, Gia? That worries me. He’s so...not your type. I know he’s hot, and has those killer blue eyes, but honestly, I hope your explanation doesn’t include romance with that guy.”

  It didn’t. At least she could admit that. Gianna would never fall for a guy like Gage. And her reasons were justified, the secret she held wouldn’t allow it. “We’ll talk. I’ll get myself together and call you later. I promise.”

  “Okay, we’ll talk later,” Brooke said, sounding a bit more relieved. “Take care of yourself.”

  “I will.” Gianna ended the call and silenced the ringer. She wanted no more interruptions. She laid her head onto the pillow and tried to relax. Not five minutes later, there was a knock on her door.

  “Go away,” she muttered. She ducked her head under the covers, needing peace and not an unwanted visitor. But it could be Rose. And Gianna didn’t want to ignore her if she was the one the knocking.

  She got up very slowly and sat a second, gathering her wits, allowing her head to adjust to the upright position. It was idiotic that two glasses of wine could do this to her. Never again, she vowed and rose, gently donning a well-worn chenille bathrobe.

  The knocking grew louder, and then she heard Gage’s voice from behind the door. “Gianna, it’s Gage.”

  She bit her lip. She didn’t want to see him. She didn’t want him to see her in this state, either. “Gage, what are you doing here?” she asked, just behind the door.

  “Helping. Let me in.”

  “I don’t need your help.”

  “I have the key.”

  Her shoulders slumped. Of course he had the key. He came prepared. He had been a Boy Scout once, after all.

  “That’s blackmail.”

  “It’s me helping. Open the door, Gianna.”

  She put her hand on the knob, pursed her lips and then slowly cracked the door.

  Gage came bearing gifts. And not of the diamond variety this time. The coffeepot on the tray smelled good, solid and strong. He’d also brought a bottle of aspirin. She could use both items about now.

  She stepped away from the door, and he moved inside, heading for the kitchen. “I’d ask you how you’re feeling, but your face says it all.”

  “Compliments, so early in the morning.”

  His mouth crooked up, and he eyed the ratty robe she was wearing. He might as well have told her she looked like something the cat dragged in, with that expression. He took her hand, dropped two aspirin in her palm and handed her half a glass of water. “Take them.”

  She did.

  Next, he poured coffee into two cups and set them on the table. His hands came to her shoulders and pointed her toward the kitchen chair. “Sit.”

  She lowered down slowly and lifted her coffee mug, breathing in the aroma before taking a sip. Hot coffee was just what she needed. She knew enough that coffee didn’t really dilute the alcohol, but it sure tasted good going down. Lucky for her, her tummy was fine. It was the gremlins stomping on her head that hurt the most.

  Gage sat, too. He took a plate of plain toast off the tray and put it her under her nose. “Can you eat?”

  “Should I? I mean, you’re the expert on hangovers.”

  His mouth twisted, but his eyes were soft with pity. She hated that he pitied her.

  “Am I? I certainly can handle much more than a thimble of wine.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  “Did you sleep all night?”

  “Up until some rude person began pounding on my door.”

  “It’s ten o’clock in the morning, Gianna. And you should be thanking me for bringing you remedies. It’s obvious you don’t know how to help yourself.”

  “So, I’m not an expert on hangovers.”

  “’Bout the only thing you don’t think you’re an expert on.”

  She bit into her toast and chewed and chewed. It was as dry as straw, and she washed it down with coffee. She was in a foul mood because her head ached, but also because she didn’t remember what had happened last night, exactly. And she hated being out of control.

  “You’re wrong. I’m not an expert on fake engagements, either, so forgive me if I overindulged.”

  “You’re forgiven.”

  She ground her teeth. Which only made her head ache more.

  “Actually, I sorta liked you all loose and giddy.” Gage took a sip of coffee. “Makes me think there’s more to you than I originally thought.”

  “More to me?”

  “Yeah, a fun side of you.”

  “Fun?” What did he mean by that? She couldn’t recall the end of the night. And it bugged the stuffing out of her. “What made you think that?”

  He grabbed a piece of toast, took a bite and chewed, making her wait. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his answer. And yet she had to know.

  “I carried you into the bedroom and laid you down on the bed.”

  Oh, man.

  “And when I said good-night to you, you asked me not to go.”

  A chuckle burst out of her chest, as if he’d said the sky was green. Actually, that notion was more conceivable. “No way. I’d never say that to you.”

  Gage’s brows lifted, and an earnest expression crossed his features, as if...as if he wasn’t lying. Then his mouth twitched, in the teasing way he had. “You’re right, Gianna. You didn’t say that.”

  But last night, she did recall the feel of his breath against her throat, his hands in her hair and the gentle way he’d fastened the diamond necklace from behind. His touch made her nerves rattle. Made her aware of his masculinity. The scent of his cologne had been strong then, and now there was a hint of it still wafting to her nostrils. She remembered her heart pounding when his hands had been on her shoulders. Even now, the scent of him threatened to make her weak.

  But it wasn’t like Gage to concede so soon, and now she truly wondered. “I kn-know. I wouldn’t.”

  Would she?

  But one thing was certain—this was the last time she was going to let loose like that. She wouldn’t give Gage the upper hand again.

  No matter his striking appeal.

  Or how his bluer than blue eyes could melt her.

  Three

  “Nobody has to know the truth, Cade. Just the family,” Gage r
emarked to his brother on the morning of the Fourth. Later this evening, the real fireworks would begin for him and Gianna.

  “I don’t like Harper being in on your charade. She’s had enough negative press to last a lifetime.”

  Cade sat down at the kitchen table, a hot cup of coffee steaming right in front of him. It was natural for his brother to feel protective of his fiancée. They’d had a bumpy road finding each other, and Harper had been put through the wringer with bad press. At one point, Harper had been the most hated reality star in the country. But it had all worked out in the end. And if all went well with Regan’s little scheme, no one would be the wiser. Once the summer was over, Gage’s high-profile engagement would fade into oblivion, his reputation would hopefully be restored, and then a low-key breakup would follow.

  “I didn’t ask her to cater the event, Cade. She offered to help. Besides, I don’t see how we could avoid telling her the truth. We couldn’t lie to her.”

  “That’s right, Cade. I’m glad I know the truth. And I volunteered to help with the food on my own.” Harper sat down next to her fiancé and took his hand. “I’m a chef and if I want to do this for your family,” she said softly, “I’m going to do it. And as far as the charade goes, in a few months, I’ll officially be a Tremaine, so I’m all in.” She kissed Cade on the cheek. “You don’t have to worry about me, sweetheart. I don’t feel offended. I feel included.”

  Gage gave his brother a shrug, trying not to appear glib. He liked Harper. She had spunk and was the perfect match for his uptight brother. Cade had never been happier, and it showed.

  “All right, I hear both of you. We’ll play along until the end.” Cade sipped coffee and picked up a biscuit. “But don’t you go thinking about catering our wedding day, sweetheart. That day, I want you all to myself.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it. I really can’t wait for that day to come.”

  “Me, too.”

  Cade gave his fiancée a solid kiss that lasted long enough for Gage to wonder if he’d ever fall head over heels in love with a woman. He’d never really loved a woman before, not the way his father had loved his mother. Not the way Cade loved Harper. His relationships with women weren’t heavy or powerful. Mostly, he didn’t have time to devote to making one woman that important to him. His father’s words rang in his ears every time he’d think about getting serious—“It’s not the woman you can live with, it’s the woman you can’t live without.”

  So far, Gage hadn’t met a woman he couldn’t live without. And he wondered if it was him. Was he incapable of loving that hard, that powerfully?

  “Now, both of you need to give me some space. I’ve got my team coming in to prep for the day.” Harper gestured with a sweep of her hands. “Let the chef do her work.”

  Gage rose and kissed Harper on the cheek. “You fit into this family already, Harp. Thanks for everything you’re doing. I’ll see you later.”

  She gave him a big smile. Gage had never thought he’d be envious of Cade, not in the female department for sure, but something jabbed him right smack in the heart every time Cade’s eyes lit as soon as Harper walked into the room.

  Cade had the real thing.

  While Gage was only pretending.

  * * *

  Gage walked past the parlor and spied his mother sitting in her chair reading the newspaper. He did an immediate about-face, but he wasn’t quick enough.

  “Gage, a word, please,” she said, catching him ducking out.

  “Ah, sure, Mom.” He gave her a big smile, one that probably hadn’t fooled her since his teenage days. “What can I do for you?”

  “Have a seat.”

  He sat down on the sofa in the giant living room. It was the centerpiece of the entire house, a room with tall beveled-glass windows, polished wood flooring, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and various sitting areas throughout the space. His mother liked to call the decor “rustic elegance.” And the Texas estate suited her style: character and charm with country flair. Gage had always loved this room. It reminded him of his father and the hard work he’d put in to be able to build this house for his family. But at this exact moment, he felt more like a schoolboy being summoned into the principal’s office.

  “It’s a big day today,” Rose said, a master of the obvious. “How are you holding up?”

  “Me? I’m fine.”

  Her brows arched, her way of expressing skepticism. “You are? No worries or concerns about your announcement tonight?”

  “No, ma’am. I’ll be doing just fine.”

  “So you’re sure about this?”

  “Yeah, I am,” he assured her. His mother had never been keen on the fake engagement idea, yet she’d given him her support, and he wanted to ease her trepidation.

  “I hope you are. Because this isn’t a small favor you’re asking of Gianna. She’s been through so much already, caring for Tonette, only to lose her this year. And now she’s being thrust into this little charade. She’s a good sport, as you know. You certainly badgered her enough over the years, and she always came out fighting.”

  “She points that out every chance she gets,” he said. “The badgering, I mean. I was pretty rough on her, because she always had to be right. And it bugged me because she actually was right most of the time. She really is a brain. But as you said, Gianna is no wilting flower. She gives as much as she takes.”

  “I love that about her, Gage. In fact, I love her, period. She’s like a second daughter to me. This year has been especially tough.” The edges of his mother’s eyes crinkled as tears welled up. His mom reached for his hand. “I’m trusting you, Gage. To be good to Gianna. I wouldn’t want to see her hurt again, by any means. I know she’s intelligent, but she’s also very vulnerable right now. I need your promise now that you’ll be mindful of that. You’ll be careful with her. Don’t lead her down a path—”

  “Mom, you have nothing to worry about.” Gage figured his mother would be protective of Gianna. They had a strong bond, but her worries weren’t justified. Gianna might look pretty in a dress and a new hairstyle, but he knew his place. She was helping him out of a jam, and that’s all there was to it. Nothing more. “I’ll be careful, and if it’ll make you sleep better at night, I can tell you, Gianna and I are complete opposites. We don’t jell, and she’d be the first one to tell you that. So put your worries to rest. At the very least, Gianna will be too distracted to be sad over her mama’s death. And at the very best, she’ll be able to travel some. She hasn’t been able to do that for quite a few years, and she misses it.”

  His mother sighed heavily. “That does make me feel better, Gage. I needed your promise on this, son.”

  “You have it. I’ll take good care of Gianna.”

  “Thank you.” She folded up the newspaper and laid it down. “That’s what I needed to hear.” His mother stood, and Gage rose as well. “Now it’s time to check with Lily about the plans for tonight’s barbecue. I’m hoping all is under control. I’m getting excited. Our guests will be arriving for the party in less than four hours.”

  Gage smiled. His mom loved the annual Tremaine Fourth of July party. It was her way of celebrating the holiday with family and friends in their community while honoring the birth of the country. And tonight, he’d make the announcement to the world that he and Gianna were in love and getting married.

  Suddenly, reality bit him in the ass. He’d made a lot of promises to a lot of people in the past, but the one he’d just made to his mother was one he had to uphold.

  No matter what.

  * * *

  Gage stood behind Gianna’s door, wishing he didn’t have to do this. Wishing there was some other way. She wasn’t going to like it, and that was a gross understatement. What he wanted to do was grab his suitcase and head on back to the main house, but his back was against the wall, and he couldn’t turn and run like he wanted to do.

&nbs
p; Instead, he braved a knock on her door, holding his breath. Gianna opened it seconds later. “Gage, what are you doing here? You’re four hours early.”

  Not by choice, he wanted to say as his brows rose at her appearance. She wore baggy gray sweats with Fairmont University Tigers printed in bold letters on her shirt. Her hair was in a tight twisty thing at the top of her head, her glasses were nearly on the tip of her nose and a ballpoint pen was tucked behind her ear.

  “I know. Something’s come up. Am I interrupting?” He looked over her shoulder, finding her computer screen flashing.

  “Yes, actually you are. I’m in the middle of my research project for the upcoming seminar.”

  “You’re working?” He found it incredible that Gianna could focus on work today. Didn’t most women spend half the day getting ready for an important occasion? And this wasn’t just any occasion, but the day they would announce their engagement to the world. A day that would change Gianna’s entire life. At least temporarily.

  “You can see that I am.” Her eyes drew down to his suitcase curiously. “Are you going someplace?” Then she smiled. “I know, you’ve given up on this whole crazy idea and you’re off on some wild vacation.”

  Didn’t that sound like fun? “Not even close.”

  He leaned against her door frame. “My band surprised me and showed up for the Fourth of July bash. Whenever they’re in town, they know they have a place to stay here. Toby, Lionel and Paolo usually stay in the guesthouse.”

  “So, what’s the problem? They’ll stay at the main house, right?”

  Gage scrubbed his jaw. “Right. Yep. That’s where they’re staying, but—”

  “Wait a minute. You’re not planning on moving in here.” She began shaking her head adamantly, her eyes as round as silver dollars. “Tell me that’s not what your luggage on the doorstep is all about.”

  “I knew with your quick wit, you’d figure it out.”

  “No. No. Not gonna happen, Gage. Are you crazy?” She folded her arms across her middle.

  “Gianna, we’re supposed to be in love and getting married. If I sleep in the house, the guys are gonna know something’s up. Don’t worry. Stay where you are and I’ll take one of the other bedrooms.”