Page 47 of Reluctantly Married

“Peoplepayyou to sing?” Right after the words left her mouth, she wished she could stuff them back in.

His face fell. “Well, sometimes. I mean, we’ve had a couple paying gigs.”

“How do you afford your rent?” Again, she regretted her words. Why was she unable to filter her mouth today?

He shrugged. “My parents don’t charge rent.”

Oh, boy. She couldn’t believe who they’d picked to try to woo her away from Adam. Luc, with his slobbery kisses and never-ending comments about her beauty, Kyle, who had walked off the show, and Anthony, a guy living in his mother’s basement. Great.

She swallowed all the words stuck in her throat and simply smiled.

“But any day now the band will break out, and we’ll make something of ourselves.” He kicked a rock off the stone path. “I mean, this is a start, right?” He glanced at the camera.

How could she tell him his dream needed to die? That he’d never be a famous singer? She couldn’t crush him like that. Instead, she changed the subject. “What do your parents think?”

His shoulders slumped. “My dad wants me to go into the family business. Says the money’s more stable than chasing a pipe dream.”

“What’s your dad do?”

“He owns a heating and air conditioning company. He wants me to work for him, then eventually take over so he can retire.”

It was obvious by his face he didn’t like that idea. But singing would never work for him. She wished she could say something to persuade him to listen to his father. “Is heating and air conditioning that bad?”

His nose wrinkled like he’d kicked a skunk. “I’ve been helping him with his business since I was a kid and he could bribe me with a few dollars. It’s boring, dirty work.”

Megan twisted a strand of her hair around her index finger. “If you could pick anything in the world to do, besides singing, what would it be?”

“Why not music?”

“Let’s pretend it didn’t work out.” She hoped he’d play along without further questions.

He looked up at the sky. “Modeling would be fun.”

She clapped her hands together. “What a great idea! You’d be perfect for that.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes! In fact, the first time I saw you, I thought you looked like a model.”

An impish grin crept across his face. “That sexy, huh?”

She shoved him gently in the chest and laughed. “And humble, too.” By this time, they’d finished their walk through the gardens, and Megan caught sight of Adam up on the deck of the mansion, a slight breeze blowing his hair. Her breath caught.

Anthony shoved his fists in his pockets and squinted at Adam. “You love him, don’t you?”

She blew out a frustrated breath. What was up with everyone? Was it super obvious that she was a schmuck falling in love for real with a man who was only pretending? What a loser she was. But even as those thoughts swirled in her head, her pulse quickened when she saw Adam smile.

She couldn’t answer Anthony, so she just played dumb.

“Well, he sure loves you. I can see it. And he said so.”

What could she say to that? ‘No, he’s playing a part for television? He signed a contract?’ She sighed and lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug.

His devilish smile made a re-appearance. “We should make your man over there a little jealous.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb.

Apprehension overcame her. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Sure it is.” He came closer, his lips just a breath away. “Let’s see how he likes this.” And suddenly his mouth was on hers. Kissing Anthony was like an awkward teen kiss. Not unpleasant, but uncoordinated and over quickly. He smiled. “See. He’s not too happy.”

---