Page 4 of Conveniently Theirs

Both Devin and I lean forward anticipating her answer. She stares at her hands for a long time. Is she involved and keeping it secret? From me?

“Josh, you’re my best friend. You’d be the first person I’d tell if there was any action in my love life. Since I haven’t said anything…”

“Damn fools,” Devin mutters. When we both look at him, his expression turns bland. There’s a hint of that something he’s not telling me in his eyes. He holds Keni’s gaze. “Men are fools not to see you as the loving, wonderful woman you are. Damn fools.”

She rolls her gaze to the ceiling. “Yeah, but I can’t say that I’ve tried too hard either. Starting a relationship is a lot of work and I haven’t been in the mood. So, no, marrying Josh wouldn’t mess up my life. In that respect anyway.”

Now’s the time to explain what I should have started with in the first place. “I don’t want to stand in the way of your future either. Marriage followed by a divorce is messy even if that was the plan. Some men don’t want a partner who’s starting over. So we thought of an alternative.”

Her head tilts to one side in the adorable wayshe has when she’s curious. “Alternative? To a marriage? What do you mean?”

“Maybe not an alternative in the legal sense of the word. Option might be a better word.”

“Option?” Her head tilts a little further.

“A fake marriage.”

three

Kendall

Nearly spilling my wine, I jerk back and blink at Josh. A fake marriage? Part of me wants to laugh off the possibility, or maybe even be a bit insulted. Instead a curl of excitement rises from my belly. Honestly, there’s a trembling moving lower as well and I shift to press my thighs together in an attempt to capture the feeling.

I’ve gotten good at this when I think about Josh. Fantasize about being with him.

He’d surprised me with his sudden proposal. Even though that moment has been part of my fantasies for years, I never expected to hear those words from him in real life. While he tried tobackpedal and explain, the possibility found a solid hold in my heart. A lavender marriage could work. I’d be happy being with him even without a physical relationship.

Then he suggests a fake marriage.

“Fake?” My voice squeaks and I clear my throat. “How would that even work?”

“It would be like that play. We’d… pretend… to be in love. Get married. Live together.”

I interrupt. “The three of us?”

We both turn to Devin. He rolls his gaze, shakes his head, and shrugs. “If it works out that way.”

If it…? “There’s no other way it could work, Devin. I wouldn’t even consider the possibility if there’s any chance at all I’d come between you and Josh.”

His grin is lazy and relaxed, a contrast to the intensity shimmering in his eyes. He’s compelling and fake marrying my best friend would also give me the opportunity to know him better. I collapse against the overly cushioned couch back. I need to be careful. It’s bad enough I’m in love with one gay man. Falling completely for a second would be a disaster to my emotions.

“I know you wouldn’t, sweets. That happening shouldn’t even enter your mind. Josh and I are solid.Our love has a deep foundation.” Devin gives Josh a quick, side-eye glance then focuses on me. His pupils are slightly dilated, expanding into the pale blue of his irises as I watch. “You won’t come between us…”

He catches his bottom lip as though he’s physically stopping himself from saying more. A ruddy tint spreads from the edge of his light brown scruff to touch the high angle of his cheekbones. The butterflies in my belly react with a wild flight of awareness. What else was he going to say?

Why do his unspoken words bring such longing to my heart? And body. This entire situation is dangerous to my emotional well-being. Suddenly, I’m in the mood for a little danger.

Fake marrying Josh will put my love for him to a serious test. I’m sure there will be moments when I’ll wish he liked me ‘in that way’. Hell, I’ve felt that way since high school. Living with him might actually be a good thing. I don’t really know him on a normal life, day to day basis. Our times together have been mostly vacations. What is he like when immersed in real life?

Maybe I won’t like that Josh as much. Maybe I’d be able to rein in my fantasies and focus on finding a more appropriate man. Holding back asnort of derision at my thoughts, I realize how silent the room is. The hope and anticipation nearly palpable.

Ah, heck. What else do I have to do with my life right now? My job sucks. I don’t have any real friends other than these two men. Plenty of acquaintances, but not anyone I enjoy spending much time with. The three of us could have a fun life, maybe travel like we’ve always planned. Besides, what’s wrong with devoting a year or two to pretending to love someone I already do?

Friends help friends. If my ‘not that much of a sacrifice’ will help Josh and Devin secure their futures why shouldn’t I say yes? It’s what friends do.

I blink and realize I’ve been staring at Devin. His brows have lowered over his blue eyes, questioning me.

Ripping my gaze from Devin, I focus on Josh. This is it. I’ve made my decision. I hope to god it’s the right one. Drawing a deep breath, I square my shoulders, and say, “Yes, Josh, I will fake marry you.”

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