Page 25 of Married As Puck
A headline stamped over the photo: Cameron Gray and Mystery Wife?
My chest burns. “Why is this a thing? It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours.”
He presses his lips together. “You can thank social media. News is now is immediate.”
What the hell is happening and why does it have to happen to me.
“What exactly is going on?” My voice shakes, but I push through. “Who was that on the phone? Why would anyone think we’re married?”
He exhales through his nose at his coffee maker, like this is a nuisance instead of the disaster it feels like. “That was my manager. He handles… situations like this.”
“That’s not an answer,” I press, twisting in my seat to face him. “Why is your life being picked apart like you’re a celebrity?”
His jaw ticks. “You don’t need to worry about it.”
I gape at him. “Not worry? I just found out the internet thinks I’m your wife. People were literally taking pictures of us in the store. How am I supposed to ‘not worry’ about that?”
He finally glances at me, brief but sharp. “I’ll handle it, Brie. That’s what Collins is for. Just… don’t get caught up in the noise.”
I shake my head, disbelieving. “What does that even mean?”
“Well, maybe if you weren’t holding my fucking hand and clinging onto my damn arm, people wouldn’t have thought that.”
I nod. “You’re right. You’re like way too old for me!”
He scowls at me, but I have a lot more up my sleeve.
Then a knock rattles the frames on the wall. My head jerks to the noise. For a moment, I think someone’s trying to break down the door. Before I can even breathe, Cameron’s phone rings from his pocket.
The door bursts open without waiting for permission. A man storms in, all polished shoes and tailored suit, moving like he’s on a mission. When he sees me, he doesn’t hesitate.
“Gray!” he barks, voice sharp enough to slice through the tension already choking the room.
I freeze, clutching the edge of the counter.
Cameron’s scowl deepens when he sees Collins. His whole body goes rigid, like a boxer bracing for the first punch. I can almost hear the storm building in him. He doesn’t say anything, but his glare is enough to make me want to hide.
Collins doesn’t bother with pleasantries. He drops his phone on the counter and points at Cameron. “Wrong place, wrong time, buddy. Tracking where this began means you had the chance of running into an off-duty paparazzi. But the headlines? The Cameron Gray is Married. This––”
The word makes my stomach turn. Married. To him? My throat feels like it’s shrinking, like I can’t get enough air.
Cameron growls low in his chest. “I’m not married to anyone. I’m not marrying anyone. Not now, not ever.”
I want to vanish. Crawl under the counter. Run upstairs and bury myself under the covers. But then Collins’ gaze flicks to me, sharp and assessing, and my stomach twists even harder. I shouldn’t have touched him in that store. I shouldn’t have stood so close or made that joke with the cute old lady. My fault. All of this is my fault.
“Well, that’s too bad,” he says so casually, making Cameron raise a brow.
“What the hell do you mean that’s too bad?” Cameron asks, unsure of where he’s headed.
“This is too convenient to waste,” Collins presses, leaning close to Cameron like he’s trying to force the words down his throat. Then he swivels toward me, his voice smooth, persuasive.
“Hello, Mrs. Cameron Gray.”
Cameron makes a gagging sound, telling Collins to stop with his hand motions at his neck.
“I’m not…” My voice cracks, almost too soft to hear. “…I’m not sure…”
“Ms. Sparks, think of your career. Exposure. Credibility. Everyone loves a clever, witty woman. You could be known for helping this hotshot.”
