Page 12 of A Montana Fake Marriage

She scoffed. “You don’t have to pretend with me. No one can hear what you’re saying.”

“Every bride deserves to be told they’re beautiful on their wedding day.”

His words set off a wave of goosebumps, and she sobered. “Thank you, Caleb. For everything.”

Caleb pulled back and spun her around then pulled her close again. “What are friends for?”

She snickered. “Somehow, I doubt friends would go to such lengths.”

“Well, I guess you’re just special then.”

Sammie wanted to tell him to stop saying such comments. It was throwing her off balance, making her believe that there was something more between them than there really was. But this was her wedding day, and she deserved to feel loved, right?

At the end of the dance, Caleb pressed a kiss to her temple. Lights from the photographer flashed, catching all the candid shots they could ever want.

The rest of the evening was filled with joking around and dancing like goofballs. She almost forgot they’d gotten married. This was a party for them to have fun—to celebrate them moving onto another stage of their lives. They’d graduated from college. The world was open for them to do whatever they wanted.

Toward the end of the evening, they ran through two rows of well-wishers throwing rice. Then they headed for the house.

At the top of the stairs, she turned to head to her room, but his hand yanked her back to him. Sammie set her wide eyes on him, confused. Then he held a finger to his lips when they heard the front door downstairs close. Someone had come home.

Caleb tugged her down the hallway toward his room. He pushed open the door and guided her inside before shutting it behind them.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

One side of his mouth quirked upward in an amused smile. “We’re married, Sammie.”

Realization dawned on her. She’d actually forgotten that they’d be placed in the same room. How could she be so air-headed?

Sammie’s eyes darted to the queen bed on the other side of the room then bounced to meet Caleb’s eyes. “Oh.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled. “I doubt it would go unnoticed if you stayed in the guest room on our wedding night.” His head tilted to the side. “We have to keep up appearances.”

She nodded. “Yeah. Of course.” Her eyes shut tight, and she let out a strangled breath. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if they had to share a bed. They were supposed to keep up this charade for a year. She only opened her eyes to double check that there wasn’t another option to save themselves from that fate.

Caleb chuckled, drawing her attention once more. “Don’t worry, Sammie. I’m going to sleep on the floor.”

“You can’t!” she stammered. “Not for a whole year.”

He shrugged. “I forgot to get an air mattress or a cot. But I will. Tomorrow.” Caleb moved to the bed and unlaced his dress shoes. He flashed her that charming smile that could win every argument they’d ever had. “Don’t worry about it. I can sleep on the floor for one night.”

She moved closer to him as if against her own will. Slowly, she sat beside him, then she leaned into him like she’d done a thousand times before. “Thank you,” she whispered.

His arm came around her shoulders, but he said nothing.

Footsteps headed down the hallway, and she glanced up at him. “I guess I shouldn’t go get changed in the bathroom, either, huh?”

He grimaced. “Probably not. But I won’t look. Scout’s honor.”

She snorted, then she rose to her feet and pulled her hair over her shoulder before looking back at him. “Will you help me with the buttons?”

Caleb stood, his finger reaching for the buttons. His fingertips brushed against her back, and she shivered at the contact. One. Two. Three. Four.

Her breath hitched more than once until her back lay bare before him. She held the dress tight to her front and glanced up at him once more. “Thank you.” Her gaze darted around the room. “I didn’t bring any of my things in here.”

He jerked his chin toward the dresser on the other side of the room. “Bottom drawer. You can wear one of my shirts.” Then, without being asked, Caleb turned away from her.

She grinned. How chivalrous. Sammie quickly changed out of the dress and donned one of his t-shirts. Then she tip-toed to the bed and climbed under the covers before he turned back to face her. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, she saw that look in his eyes—the one that made her believe they could be something more.

---