Page 48 of Marriage Masquerade

“Oh, we’re here already,” Gemma said, glad of the interruption of her tumbling thoughts.

How would she fit in with Nikos' family? Would they all know instantly she was a fraud?

“Allessandros will meet us at baggage claim. You've heard me mention his wife, Megan. He has a daughter named Norrie, and a son called Sam.”

“Sam?” Gemma frowned. That didn’t sound very Greek to her.

“Actually, his full name is Aristotle Pierre Petropoulos. Remember Allessandros’s mother is French? But for some reason unbeknownst to me, they have called him Sam since his birth.”

Feeling shy about the prospect of spending a weekend with Nikos' family, Gemma followed Nikos up the jetway and into the airport.

Allessandros, tall and imposing, stood to one side of the crowded baggage claim area, waiting.

Unconsciously, Gemma compared the two men. Their self-confidence was amazing. And they were charming when it suited them.

The cousins greeted each other with back slaps and grins.

Allessandros turned to her and smiled. He inclined his head in a manner similar to Nikos.

“Welcome to our family, Gemma Petropoulos.”

“Thank you.”

Flustered, she looked to Nikos for support. She felt awful about their charade. How would Allessandros feel when the truth all came out?

To Gemma’s surprise, there was no chauffeur. Allessandros drove.

The luxurious Mercedes was a delight. Gemma insisted on sitting in the back while the two men sat in the front and caught up on family business.

She ran her hand lovingly over the rich leather and sighed in contentment. She’d better not grow too used to such luxury, she thought, but it'd be nice while it lasted.

When Allessandros turned into a short driveway some time later, the house was not what she expected. Instead of an enormous mansion surrounded by acres of manicured lawns, the modest ranch style home sat in the center of an ordinary middle-class neighborhood. She expected something more palatial.

Even Nikos seemed surprised.

“You live here?”

Allessandros raised an eyebrow.

“You have a problem with my home?”

“No. Just…it’s different from what I expected.”

“This was Megan’s home before we married. Her parents moved to the southwest, and we bought the home. It’s becoming crowded now. But when we first married, I don’t think she quite trusted our marriage would last and wanted something of her own as insurance. Now we’re used to it. But when the baby comes, we’ll definitely need something larger.”

“Megan’s expecting again?” Nikos asked as he climbed from the car and held the back door for Gemma.

At Allessandros’ nod, he looked at Gemma.

“Something else you will have in common with Megan.”

“The first thing being?” Gemma asked, flicking a glance at Nikos.

He’d told his cousin she was pregnant? Had he told him about the full circumstances?

“Being married to a sexy Greek man, of course.”

“Of course,” Gemma said dryly, smiling despite her wish to look insulted.

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