Page 26 of Fake Out Hearts

I hesitate, unsure of how to answer that question. I mean, the true answer is no, but I also don’t want them to knowthat my relationship with Becca technically started as a hookup. And since we’ve already promised each other that won’t happen again, it’s not relevant to the larger story anyway. “No, but we knew each other. We talked once or twice before last night.”

“And now you’re married?” Noah asks incredulously.

“Yeah. I don’t expect you to understand, but I had my reasons.” I lower my voice so that no one else will be able to hear us. “In case you forgot, Kaplan dumped Becca last night, on camera. And she was an employee of his dumb show. I offered to marry her to get her a green card so she could stay in the country and chase her dreams.”

“Oh.” Margo blinks. “That’s surprisingly sweet of you.”

I arch a brow. “Surprisingly?”

She makes a face. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… that’s a huge thing to do for someone, Theo.”

My stomach does that weird flipping over thing again. “I know.”

Noah blows out a breath, running a hand through his dark brown hair. “Did you think this all the way through before you tied the knot with someone you barely know? And someone who used to date your arch-nemesis, no less?”

“Of course I did,” I lie. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I sure hope so.” He shakes his head, looking concerned.

“Listen, Theo, I don’t mean to be insensitive or anything, but have you thought about how this might impact your ability to meet someone for yourself?” Margo asks gently.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if you’re married to Becca for a couple of years while you wait for her to get permanent residency status in the US, that’s a long time where you won’t be able to date anyone else. You know, have a real relationship.”

I shrug. “That doesn’t matter to me. I’m not looking for love anyway. I’m way more focused on my career right now, and I’vealready tried the whole ‘real’ marriage thing once. It blew up spectacularly, so if this fake marriage does nothing other than helping Becca, I’ve got no qualms about it.”

Margo gives me a penetrating look, studying my face. Then she nods slowly. “Alright. If you’re sure.”

She leans back in her seat as we finally take off. But even Noah’s fear of flying isn’t enough to distract him from asking more questions. Once we’re in the air, he leans over so that no one else can hear what he has to say.

“Pleasetell me you aren’t just doing this to fuck with Kaplan.”

I shake my head firmly. “No. It has nothing to do with that fucker and everything to do with Becca.”

He looks me in the eyes for several long seconds, probably searching for any hint that I’m lying to him, but he can look all he wants. He won’t find one. I’m telling the truth.

Finally, he nods just like Margo did. “Okay. But I’m serious, man. Don’t let this feud with Kaplan get any worse. You hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” I say, giving a little salute.

The truth is, I still want to rip Kaplan’s fucking head off for what he did to Becca, but I know better than to say that out loud to anyone—least of all to my team captain.

Thankfully, he leaves it at that. Reese doesn’t say anything else either, and the plane grows quiet as everyone settles in for the flight.

Good. I’ve got things to do.

I pull my phone from my pocket and tap into Becca’s contact info. I had to copy her number down in a hurry, so I didn’t even have time to give her contact entry a name. I tap to edit it and instead of putting her name, I write, “My Wife” with a ring emoji. Then I set the picture I took of her at her place earlier as her contact photo and my phone’s wallpaper.

It’s hard not to smile at her beautiful smile staring back at me, so I linger for a moment to drink in the details. Snapping her picture was such an impromptu thing that she couldn’t have prepared for it, and that’s what makes me think her smile is genuine.

As insane as all of this is, it’s worth it if it put that expression on her face.

Grinning to myself, I pocket my phone again and nestle up against the window, hoping to get a little sleep before we land in Denver.

Because I have a lot to do when we get back.

I’m just pulling into the garage of my loft in Denver a few hours later when my phone rings. Thinking it might be Becca, I fumble for the phone where I dropped it into my car’s cupholder, but when I bring it up to my face, I’m surprised to see that it’s my mom calling instead. I swipe to answer automatically.

---