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Mason freezes. “Wait a minute.” His gaze focuses on me. “Did you just agree to go ahead with the fake wedding? Since it’s not to scam Gran’s money?”
I palm my hot cheeks. Am I going to put on a white dress and walk an aisle toward Mason? “Mom and Brielle say it’s a great idea and very sweet of you.”
His mouth lifts at the corners. “Your mom was one of my biggest fans. How is she?”
“Keeping herself busy. Dad’s hardly available, so she volunteers for several causes. She manages investments as well.”
Mason’s lips fold inward, and he nods slowly. “Right. And how’s Brielle? Is she seeing someone?”
My neck stiffens.
Mason stutters and waves a hand. “I’m not asking for me.” He shakes his head so hard—it might fall off. “Come on.” He points between us. “I’m marrying you, remember.” He winks.
My belly flutters. I wish. In my dreams. But I must be strong. I’ll be like Mom if I marry someone like my dad. It’s a thing, right? Daughters marry someone with the same faults as their father. Not happening, buddy.
I push my disappointment back into the tomb I made for it. The concrete slab is engraved Moving forward. Not looking back.
I lift my voice an octave higher and clap my hands. “Let’s plan this wedding.” I wave to my study, and Mason follows me there.
A Michael Bublé song plays in the background, and I ground my molars. No romance here. Just business. “Alexa, play instrumental piano.” I give Mason a pathetic grin. “Wedding music. To get us in the zone.”
He chuckles. “Good idea. I’m catching the vibe already.” He does a dorky sway of his shoulders, and I did not notice the flex of his chest muscles under his shirt. Does he still work out? He has a gym in the same building as his office.
I unglue my gaze from his chest and gesture to the black swivel chair for him to sit. I lower myself to the other chair and open my laptop. “Okay. I can’t believe we’re going to fake a wedding. But here we are.” I look up at him, and his chocolate irises undo me. I inch my chair away, reminding myself not to get sucked in. It doesn’t help that he looks extra delicious tonight. He’s wearing his favorite cologne. My favorite too. The one I made sure he had enough of to fill a vat.
Mason leans his elbows on the desk and steeples his fingers. The strong angles of his hands remind me of how perfectly they held me. Mmmm. I sigh.
“Are you okay?” He flattens his hands to the laminate surface, and I jolt out of my daze.
I blink and fake a smile. “Fine. A wave of sleepiness hit me. Big day. I had to pluck a tourist out of the rapids before they got ripped to shreds.”
His eyes pop open. “Wow. Exciting day.” He gives me a coy grin. “Just another day for a superhero.”
I shake my head. “Is there a hero label for freezing your butt off to save another? Iceman or something? I didn’t get into the Avengers and all that.”
He smiles and points to my cell. “Back to business. Where are we going to have our wedding?”
I gulp hard. Our wedding. My gosh. We didn’t get this far last time. I did buy the dress, though. “I still have my wedding dress. Check.” I wave my finger.
Mason gives me a warm look, but I can’t figure out what he’s thinking.
Another great idea jolts me. “We can have the ceremony at the heritage theater.”
Mason leans in with interest. “Didn’t that close down years ago?”
“My boss and his wife are managing it now. The whole place got a revamp, and there are shows each month. They got married there too.” Excitement bubbles inside me. “Ethan will let me use it for free. As long as we leave it as we found it.” I bounce in my seat. “Oh, this is perfect. We could have canapés in the foyer for the reception. There’s a commercial kitchen and everything. It will be so cool.”
Mason studies me with an alluring smile. “I’ve heard women love to plan their weddings. So this is how it’s done. You hardly need my ideas. You have them all.” He palms his cheek. “Good ideas, too. Love it. Gran will love it, more importantly.”
I settle back into my chair. Right. I’m getting too carried away. Not about me. Or Mason. For Gran’s sake.
“Exactly. Gran will love to see the theater. I bet she hasn’t gone since the restoration. She probably grew up watching plays back in the day.”
“I bet she did.”
Tapping on my keyboard, I note to discuss renting the theater with Ethan and Emily. I have another lightbulb moment and jerk my head up, startling Mason. “I could see if Emily would hire actors.” My eyes widen. Am I a genius or what?
Mason waves a finger. “Not just a pretty face.”
