Page 7 of The Fiancée Farce
Gemma smothered a smile. Tansy’s babbling was delightful. “Let’s.”
Tansy cleared her throat. “Six months ago, I told my stepmother I was seeing someone. It was supposed to be a stupid excuse to get out of family dinners for a while, but then she asked for details and I—I own a bookstore. Belltown Books.”
Gemma failed to see how that was relevant, but good to know? “That’s nice.”
“You’re Gemma West,” she blurted, blushing anew.
Ah, her modeling. Slowly but surely the pieces were coming together.
“Long story short, when my stepmother asked for details I blanked and I recognized you on a book cover and blurted out that I was seeing someone named Gemma and it all sort of snowballed from there and I should’ve stopped it, but it took on a life of its own and then Jackie stole my phone and saw this picture I have saved of you and just assumed, and I had no idea you were related to—”
“Back up.” Gemma smirked. “You’ve got a picture of me saved on your phone?”
Tansy’s eyes slammed shut. “Can we please pretend I didn’t say that?”
Gemma tsked. “Where would be the fun in that?”
Tansy groaned. “I’m mortified.”
“Don’t be. I’m flattered.” And delighted. If not confused. She waited until Tansy opened her eyes to continue. “How exactly do you know my cousin?”
Gemma studied Tansy closely. Her brow creased as she lowered her eyes. “I—I went to Montlake Prep. Madison’s my step-cousin.”
Hmm. “My condolences.”
The right corner of Tansy’s mouth rose. “For which—Montlake or Madison?”
Cheeky. Gemma liked that. “From what I’ve gathered, both are terrors. Take your pick.”
Gemma had hoped that would earn a laugh, or at the very least a smile. All Tansy did was stare morosely down at the scant amount of space between their bodies. “I’m sure you think I’m completely pathetic.” She laughed, raspy and broken, and the sound sent a pang of sympathy through Gemma. “Seeing as I fabricated an entire relationship so Ashleigh and Madison would stop making snide comments about my social ineptitude. Well... if the shoe fits.”
“I don’t think you’re pathetic.” Or socially inept, for that matter. Shy, maybe, but that was a horse of a different color. “Find me someone whohasn’tlied to their family.”
Tansy frowned. “I guess that was a lot less complicated to explain than I thought.”
Less complicated if it were the whole story, sure. Which it wasn’t. Not by a long shot, Gemma would bet. But the rest could wait. She knew enough for now.
Tansy cleared her throat, shoulders rolling back, spine straightening, steeling herself. “Look, I’m sure you’ll want to tell everyone the truth, but”—she winced—“I know I have no business askingyou for anything, let alone a favor, but do you think you could maybe let me slip out first? Give me, I don’t know, a five-minute head start so I can get to work changing my name, fleeing the country, and assuming a totally different identity?”
Tansy was utterly delusional if she believed Gemma had any intention of letting her slip away. “Cancún’s nice this time of year.”
Tansy gave a watery laugh. “Never been to Mexico.”
“After we’re married, I’ll take you wherever you damn well please.” Gemma’s fingers curled into the fabric of Tansy’s dress as she stepped a little closer. “And as far as new names go, Van Dalen’s the obvious option.”
Tansy scoffed out a laugh. “Funny.”
She cocked a brow.
“You’re—you’re kidding.” Tansy’s fingers twitched against the slope of Gemma’s shoulders.
“A crying shame I didn’t pursue a career as a stand-up comedian.” Tansy frowned and Gemma sighed. “With everyone believing I’m joking all the time, I can’t help but feel as if I missed out on my calling in life.”
“I—wait, that’s—what?” Tansy shook her head, more hair escaping the clip at her nape as she tripped over her words. “Earlier, you were—you were serious? No. You were messing with Tucker. You were provoking him. That’s why you told everyone that we’re engaged when we’re not.”
Gemma hushed her. Not that anyone was near enough to hear, but discretion was the name of the game. “Provoking my cousin is a perk, but otherwise incidental. I don’t do anythingbecauseof Tucker.” Perish the thought.
“But—but that makes no sense,” Tansy sputtered. “Then why lie?”
