Page 30 of Reforming Hunt
Chapter 14
Maria choked on a sip of white wine. “He what?”
“Keep your voice down.” Abby glanced across the room at Noah playing a game on Maria’s computer. “Hunt asked me to marry him,” she said quietly.
Maria’s gaze shot to Abby’s ring finger.
“It’s not like that,” Abby said. “It wouldn’t be real. It would be a marriage in name only. Something to show I’m in a stable situation, and hopefully get Vivian off my back.”
“A marriage of convenience,” Maria said.
“Yes.” And wow, did that sound wrong. Was Abby seriously considering it?
“Does Vicious know you’re marrying this guy?” Maria asked.
Abby winced. “I haven’t agreed to marry him, and that’s the tricky part. He called himself my fiancé right in front of her. He was trying to help, but it does put me in a bind. I don’t know why he offered or why he would go to this length to help out Noah and me.”
Maria set her glass on the dining table. “Honestly? I don’t know either. This isn’t meshing with the Hunt Cade I’ve heard about. That man is a love god. Have you any idea how many women he’s slept with?”
“Eww, no. And please don’t tell me. I’m struggling with the proposal. I don’t need numbers like that affecting my ability to make a sound decision.
“Society might view me as a better provider if I’m married—not that it’s right, but that’s the way the world works. As long as I don’t marry a psychopath.” She searched her friend’s eyes. “Can I trust Hunt? Or is this the worst idea ever?”
Maria took in a deep breath, then made a funny, screwed-up face and let it out. “It could be yourbestidea. Or Hunt’s best idea, since he was the one to come up with it. If it makes any difference, nothing alarming comes to mind, and you know I’ll tell you if I think you’re making a mistake.”
Abby chuckled. “You have a very loose filter.”
“Why, thank you.” Maria said.
“Seriously, though, Maria, I can’t screw this up. CPS ordered Vivian to return Noah to me, because there wasn’t evidence of wrongdoing, but what about the next time Noah’s grandparents try something? What if I marry Hunt, and he’s not the man I think he is? It could make things worse.”
Maria looked away absently. “Hard to imagine things could get worse, what with the slander campaign Vicious is unleashing. Hunt would have to do something truly irresponsible. Or suddenly turn into a violent man. And I’ve never heard anything about the Cades being violent. Well”—she snorted—“there was that time at his brother’s engagement party…but does that count?”
“Yes!”
Maria waved her off. “Brothers and fisticuffs go hand in hand. According to all reports, it was a hell of a party, and the hot-man scuffle was the icing on the cake.”
Abby rubbed her head. “Oh my God, you’re as crazy as Hunt.”
“Crazy smart?” Maria said. “Why yes, I am. So you’d be silly to turn down Hunt’s offer. Now, let’s get to the important stuff. Exactly what kind of marriage is this going to be, hmm?”
Abby rolled her eyes. “In name only, remember? Prenup and all.”
Maria’s eyes narrowed. “You sure you can stick to that agreement?”
“The prenup?” Abby said. “Of course.”
Maria shoved her shoulder. “You know what I mean. Theotherstuff. The hot sexy-time stuff.”
Abby’s head swung around to where Noah sat, but he was laughing at a cartoon hopping across the computer screen. “Keep. It. Down.” She death-glared her friend.
“Answer the question.”
“Hunt said he wouldn’t date other women while we are married.”
“Really?” Maria’s brow rose. “Wow. Okay, well, that still doesn’t answer my question. What about you, the wifey?”
Abby cleared her throat, which suddenly felt dry. “We’ll keep things platonic.”
