"We don't have to say anything right away."
"I think social services and the judge who denied the first petition would ask questions."
"Why? It's not like we're getting married to stay in the country or anything. I don't think it'll be an issue but if it is, we'll cross that bridge then."
"God, Jack. This is seriously fucked up crazy."
"Not really. It's a piece of paper."
"It's a legally binding document that ties us together."
"It's for a good reason. And it's not like we hate each other or anything. It's a marriage of convenience."
"So, you won't be moving in and sleeping in my bed?"
"I'll move in. Your new place is big enough that I won't need to sleep in your bed if you don't want me there."
Sleeping with Jack, having sex with him—because let's face it, there was no way they could be in the same bed night after night and not have sex—would complicate things further. "I don't think it's a good idea to share a bed. This isn't a love match."
He held still for a long moment, so long that Alyssa tipped her head back to look at him.
"You okay? We don't have to do this. It was a dumb idea that probably sounded good while I was drunk, not that I remember coming up with it, but I won't hold you to your agreement because I'm sober enough to know this is cracked and not the usual thing friends do."
"Lys, stop arguing, we're doing this. It's the best way to protect Penny."
Jack kept saying that and from what her lawyer had explained, he was right, except this changed so many things between them. So much about their relationship had been up in the air since Penny had arrived at her door. "Promise me something."
"Anything."
"We can't let this marriage ruin everything." She'd never forgive herself if their friendship was destroyed because he'd helped her in such an extreme way; it was already on shaky ground thanks to her recent behavior.
"I promise."
"C'mon, you two!" They both turned to see Penny standing in the backseat of the Mustang, waving her arm to get them to come over. Jack's friend must have put the top down while they'd been talking and now waited in the seat beside her sister. "Let's go get you two lovebirds hitched."
Lovebirds?"Shit. What the fuck did I say when my drunk-ass came up with this insane idea?"
"I believe your words were something like,if I'm marrying anyone, it's Jack. If I can only sleep with one man from now on it'd be him, although I think you used the word fuck instead of sleep."
Alyssa sucked in a breath and whacked Jack's arm. "I did not."
He arched one eyebrow.
"For fuck's sake." She dropped her forehead to his chest. "Why the hell did I drink so much?"
"I'd say it had something to do with the lawyer's call and everything else you've been dealing with over the last few months." He gave her a squeeze. "Things, I will remind youagain, you didn't have to deal with on your own."
"She's my sister."
"And I'm your friend."
"Yeah, well look where that got you. Before the sun comes up, you'll be my husband."
He moved her away, his hands curled around her shoulders, and smiled down at her. "So that makes tonight our wedding night. Good thing I booked the Grand Lakeview Suite at the Bellagio," he whispered with a waggle of his eyebrows.
"You didn't!"
"I certainly did."
