Page 28 of Her Athlete's Wedding Secret

Benson laughed. “Fair enough. I don’t really like casseroles, anyway.”

“Neither do I,” Tessa admitted.

“You guys are adorable together,” Lauren said. “I like it. I never would have paired the two of you up, but now that I see you all snuggled up like this, it makes sense.”

Tessa wasn’t sure what to say to that. She hated being dishonest with her friend. Or at least putting forward a false image. Tessa prided herself on being a genuine, honest person. All this pretending felt unnatural to her. She hated hiding the fact that she wasn’t actually in love with Benson. Seeing the joy and excitement on her friends’ faces made her feel guilty for lying. She understood why she had to do it, but she still didn’t like it.

“Wasn’t Alexis the most beautiful bride?” Lauren asked.

“She was!” Tessa said. “You did such a great job on her hair.”

“Oh, thanks. I had a lot of fun making her look her best for her big day.”

“It seems like just yesterday when you and Chase were getting married,” Tessa said.

“I know! This past year has flown by.”

“You look like you’re glowing,” Tessa said. “Marriage is a good look on you.”

“Second time’s the charm,” Lauren said, wrapping an arm around Chase. “We should probably get going. I have to get Penny in bed.”

“Okay,” Tessa said.

“Congratulations again. I’m so happy for you both,” Lauren said.

“We’ll have to talk later,” Chase said. “See you, Benson.”

“See you later.”

Chase and Lauren left the restaurant, and Tessa turned to Benson. “Did you tell Chase that this marriage is fake?”

“He knows that I had to find a wife by the end of the week. He was the first person I told.”

“Did you tell anyone else?”

“Just Kane.”

“Was I the first girl you approached about this?”

“Yes.”

“Well, at least there’s that.”

“What if they tell the wrong person, and it gets out that this is all just an act?”

“Chase and Kane won’t tell anyone.”

“What if Chase tells his wife?”

“That is a possibility.”

“Then Lauren will know that I just lied to her face.”

Their server came with their food and placed it in front of them. When he left, Benson said to Tessa, “You didn’t lie to Lauren. You just told her you were getting married, which is true.”

“Yes, but I’m misrepresenting the truth.”

“Did you tell her that you’re madly in love with me?”

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