Page 10 of Shameless
“It’s not crazy.” His smile was hypnotic. He held out his hand to shake mine. “We can do it together.”
“Yeah?”
I raised my eyebrows and stared into his eyes. If Michael lasted a month at my side, then maybe I could pull off the long game and not end up entirely unfortunate.
I tugged the sheet to cover myself.
“First, my sister for breakfast, then we’ll head to North Carolina for a few days, come back, and then pop off to London.”
I followed his thinking, nodded, and asked, “You’d go as my fake date?”
His eyes widened. “Fake?”
I crossed my legs under myself and faced him directly. “Yeah, if we both just pretend we were in love and that we’re getting married because we love each other, then our baby will be less… judged.”
He held my hands tightly. “I’d like you to be my wife before we head to England.”
Marriage wasn’t an institution I'd ever seen myself in.
“Why?” I asked.
He stared at me. “My child will inherit if we are married, and it gives a whole point to fixing my parents' mess as now, I have someone to give it all to.”
I half smiled then stood as the day was going to start soon. “You make them sound fun. I’m kind of messy too. You’re the only put-together one.”
“And you’re cute sometimes when attempting to be funny.” He was still holding my hand. “A ring on your hand confirms we’re in love and I’m doing great, and then we come back to New York.”
We weren’t in love, but if that was what he needed, then I needed to figure it out. “I’ll have to study up on how to be more of an upscale diva.”
He stood and said, “I don’t know what that means. What was your name before you changed it?”
Soon, he would see I was the wrong bride for him, but a month would get me at least some sort of cover when I went home. I said, “Britney Smith.”
“And that wouldn’t let you blend in with New York?”
I headed into the bathroom as I said, “I wanted to be a Samantha and take the city by storm, but now…“
“Who's Samantha?” he asked and followed.
I opened my cabinet and handed him an extra toothbrush from my supplies. “The character from Sex and the City where nothing ever bothers her and she’s a great friend to those that are loyal.”
We brushed our teeth together, and I sighed as we watched ourselves in the mirror. He was all hard muscles.
When he finished, he said, “You are a good friend to everyone in your girl group.”
I swallowed then whispered, “I don’t know how that translates to being a mom.”
He kissed my cheeks. “Well, I know you don’t need my money, but financially, you’d never have to work again if you say yes.”
Tears formed in my eyes. I’d said no to him because I'd thought he was beneath me, but I was the screwed-up one.
I swiped my tears away and rocked on my feet. “How long?”
He narrowed his gaze. “How long what?”
I headed out as if we were done with our date night already, but then I realized I needed to get ready and wear clothes. I opened my closet and found I had nothing for him. “How long would we have to fool your parents so you can secure your heir thing for our future child?”
“I can’t give you a number right now.”
