Page 48 of Baby Maker

“There you are, Calliope. I asked Keegan where you’d gotten to.” Louise joins me at the bar, flashing me a smile. “I apologize about the photographers. They need about a thousand more photos. They might be finished by next year.”

I chuckle, accepting my whiskey from the bartender. “You look lovely, if it’s any consolation.”

“It most certainly is, although I need something to drink.” She motions to the bartender who pours her a glass of champagne. “Why don’t you come into the garden and join us? I’m sure Keegan misses you.”

I doubt that fact highly, but I nod in agreement. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Louise grasps my forearm, her smile as endearing as her son’s. “I’m so glad he’s found you.”

With that final blow to the heart, she turns and walks off, leading me to bleed out in solitary.

Am I being dramatic? Hell yes, but I’m upside down in emotions—a place I don’t enjoy being. The truth is that Keegan and I are faking a relationship. Per his request. The issue is that we have crossed lines, and now, I have no idea where our boundaries lie or have far past them either of us will traverse.

One way to find out. I may be his fake girlfriend, but until Monday, I have a role to play. One that does not involve skulking in corners.

Grabbing my drink, I wander outside in search of the bridal party, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty surrounding me. The weather has cooperated, gifting the bride and groom with sunshine and spring blooms. Spring has sprung, and this is the first time since Nigel’s death that I’m able to appreciate the nature surrounding me. Before Keegan, I resented every gorgeous sunrise. Every flower popping through the lingering snow.

It hits me like a ton of bricks. Before Keegan. Since knowing him, my world has been brighter, as if he turned on the light in my dark cave of grief.

I turn the corner, striding towards the section of lawn where the wedding party is gathered. The urge to be near him is growing stronger, or maybe I’m just growing weary of trying to fight it. No one can deny there’s something between us. Hell, his own mother even commented on how different he is with me.

It wasn’t just some drunken admission last night. It couldn’t have been. Time to let my feelings be known, as well.

I screech to a halt, not ten steps from the group. Keegan stands off to one side, the blonde bridesmaid running her hand through his curls.

Oh, hell no, she isn’t.

Feeling a surge of jealousy that I’m not willing to ignore, I storm over, my whiskey sloshing over the edge of my glass.

Keegan glances up from his private chat when I clear my throat, my arms crossed over my chest, and a ‘you’ve got some explaining to do’ expression on my face.

“Hi, Calli.” He waves off the blonde, dragging a hand through his hair and mussing up any semblance of a style. “What are you doing out here?”

My foot taps an erratic rhythm on the ground, my blood pounding in my ears. “Better question is, what are you doing out here?”

His brows furrow in confusion before a look of realization passes over his face, and he releases a chuckle. “I assume you’re referring to Nadia?”

“I don’t care what her name is. Why was she touching you?”

“She was fixing my hair for the photos.”

“Right.” I shouldn’t be this angry. He’s not my boyfriend. He’s barely my friend. But I’m tempted to rip Nadia’s hands from her body if she touches my man again.

Keegan grasps my elbow, bringing me to a secluded corner. “While I appreciate the overt demonstration of the jealous girlfriend, it isn’t necessary. I plan on telling my family about our arrangement.”

“Why? So you can screw Nadia?”

He scoffs at my biting remark. “No. I have no intention nor desire to screw Nadia.”

“Then why are you telling them anything?”

“Because, Calli, it wasn’t fair of me to drag you into this situation.”

“I came willingly.” Grabbing his hands, I run my thumbs along his skin, trying to figure out what to say without looking like a jealous maniac. “I don’t like her touching you. I’m not kidding, Keegan.”

His face, so guarded when looking at me, softens into a smile. “Are you jealous, Calli?”

My gaze shifts to the ground as the flush spreads over my cheeks. The truth is, I’m far beyond jealous, but I’ll be damned if I let him know that fact. I’m supposed to be cool and collected, not in danger of boiling over like Mt. Vesuvius.

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