Page 13 of Reluctantly Married

And there it was. A thinly veiled threat to his job. If he didn’t go along with Leon, he’d be fired. He couldn’t afford to lose his job right now. He sighed. “I’ll go out with her again on camera. But forget about the whole publicity stunt. That doesn’t happen. Got it?”

Leon nodded and raised his hands again. “No big reveal. Got it. We’ll just do the dating thing. It’s popular. You’re getting a fan base.”

Dale scrolled down the page. “Everyone loved the kiss. You’ve got to do more of that.”

Adam nodded. That was the first suggestion he could truly agree with. He didn’t mind at all the thought of kissing Megan again.

Megan spent Sunday plotting her revenge and measuring the apartment complex courtyard to see how many bodies would fit. After stewing over the situation all morning, she donned her running shoes and took to the streets. She needed a good workout to clear her mind.

She sprinted down the tree-lined sidewalk, past the older neighborhood homes. Painted eggs and pastel bunny window clings announced the approach of Easter. Young buds were springing up in flowerbeds in the hopes that warm weather would stick around.

Although Sugar Springs was a small Nebraska town, it was close enough to Omaha to allow the residents to have the best of both worlds. Big city entertainment was only twenty minutes away, while the small community had barely any crime to speak of. Most residents didn’t even lock their doors at night.

It was difficult to stay mad with all the luscious sights and smells of spring around her. Megan found herself contemplating what she should do about the situation she’d been placed in. Leon had already announced a second online date. Their fans were expecting it. She shouldn’t back out. She should go on that date and make sure Adam paid for what he’d done.

And then an idea hit. She knew what she would do. And she couldn’t wait.

Megan slapped on her best cheesy smile and approached Adam and Dale chatting on set. “Good morning, boys.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder and grabbed the mic sitting on her seat so she could thread the cord through her shirt.

Adam turned to her, a stupid grin on his face. “You’re in a good mood.”

“You have no idea,” she muttered under her breath. Then she turned to him, a bright smile in place. “I’m looking forward to our next date. I’ve already got it planned.”

Adam’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? I thought you might be upset that Leon…you know…committed you to another online date without asking.”

She waved her hand in a dismissive motion. “No biggie. Keep the fans happy, right? So, whadaya say, big guy? Should I pick you up tomorrow night, around seven?” She whacked him in the chest.

He gave her a weird look, but then smoothed out his features. “Uh, sure. Is it all set up with Leon?”

“I’ll talk to him. We’ll get it worked out.” She sat down, adjusted her shirt, and tried not to sweat under the warm lights. They’d be on-air in a few minutes.

Adam sat in the chair next to her. “Where are we going?”

Her mouth curled up into a grin. “It’s a surprise.”

Adam slid into the passenger seat of Megan’s Accord in the parking lot of her apartment complex. It was a little weird, letting Megan take the reins like this, but he knew she was a strong-willed woman. It shouldn’t have surprised him. Dale already sat in the backseat with his camera.

She’d said to dress casual, so he had on a pair of tan slacks and a green polo. She wore a cute top and jeans. “You look lovely.”

“Thanks.” She jerked the car into drive and pressed the gas. Wow. She must be in a hurry to get there.

“Any clues as to where we’re going?”

“Hmm, a clue.” She tapped her chin with her finger. “American Idol.”

The television show? What did that mean? “We’re going to a concert?”

She laughed. “Sort of,” she said in a sing-songy voice.

He stared at her. Why was she acting so weird? She’d been acting strange at the station, too. He’d shrugged it off as awkwardness after their kiss, but now he wasn’t so sure. They entered Omaha at breakneck speeds. “Remind me not to let you drive my car.”

“Ha. Don’t worry, big guy. I wouldn’t dream of touching your baby.”

Yes, something was definitely off. Why was she calling him that ridiculous nick name? He bit back a retort. Leon had made it perfectly clear. He was to be the gentleman. They were to lay off the fighting. He let the irritation slide off his back.

A few minutes later, Megan pulled into a parking lot. The sign ‘Chuck’s Bar and Grill’ was lit up in bright red letters. It looked clean, and he could smell chicken wings as he got out of her car. He wasn’t sure why she chose this place, but he was anxious to try their food.

He held her elbow as they neared the front door. A large poster was taped to the glass. Chuck’s Karaoke Contest. $100 Prize. His heart stopped.

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