stroke his ego, and I swear I see his chest puff larger. My heart beats rapidly, but I’m ready for this. Clearing my throat, I add, “Too bad it isn’t real.” Tilting my head, I shrug, then fill my mouth with potato.
“What’re you talking about?” Robert asks.
Dad looks between us, confused.
“It’s fake, all of it, all of...this.” I wave my fork around before setting it down.
“Please explain, Gemma,” Dad interrupts.
I giggle, really enjoying this. Grabbing my glass, I take a sip. “What was your client's name, Robert?”
“Excuse me?” he snaps, his brows furrowing.
“His name. The multi-billionaire you met.” I speak slowly as if he doesn’t comprehend my words.
“Eric,” Robert barks. “Why?”
I’m full-on laughing now, and tears stream down my face at how Eric performed the role perfectly. He was more than willing to act like a wealthy businessman and fool Robert. I’m bent over, gasping for air at this point. Dad narrows his eyes at me as though I’ve officially lost my mind. The doorbell rings, and I grab my napkin and wipe my cheeks, then stand.
When I open the door, I see Tyler. I flash him a wink to let him know it’s all going as planned. We both smile as we walk into the dining room holding hands. Dad turns and sees him just as Robert slams down his silverware, completely infuriated.
“What’s he doing here?” he hisses.
Tyler wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close before kissing and stealing my breath away. I melt into him, finally tasting him again, and I’m happy to have an audience to witness it all.
Dad’s lost, and Robert looks as if he’s going to blow a damn gasket. Before either of them can speak up, Tyler pulls a piece of paper from his back pocket. He takes his time unfolding it and holds it for Robert and my dad to see.
“What the fuck is this?” Robert says between gritted teeth after he studies it. “Is this a damn joke?”
I smile like I’m Vanna White presenting the key phrase. “It’s our marriage certificate.”
“Whose?” Robert furrows his brows.
“I’m so glad you asked. It’s Tyler’s and my marriage certificate,” I proudly say.
Dad’s eyes are as wide as saucers, and Robert lets out a growl.
Tyler clears his throat. “Right. And it’s dated seventeen days ago, which means when you filed your certificate, we were already married.” He turns and looks at me, placing another soft kiss on my lips. Nothing else in this damn room matters right now, but him.
With a grin, Tyler continues. “Which means, your marriage isn’t legal because you can’t be married to two people at the same time.”
“But the deed in my name certainly is,” I confidently add. “Oh, and just in case you haven’t figured it out by now, I won’t be going anywhere with you tomorrow. I guess what I’m saying is you can fuck off.”
As the realization sets in, Robert grows more furious. Dad is smiling, so damn proud of what I’ve done. It’s impossible not to notice how humiliated and angry Robert is, and I burst into hysterical laughter as Tyler pulls me closer.
“You stupid bitch! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Robert barks, forcefully shoving his plate out of his way and standing.
“Beat you at your own fucking game. When I ended things, I told you I wasn’t marrying you, Robert. I meant every single word.”
Chapter Twenty
TYLER
NINETEEN DAYS EARLIER
My phone rings, and I see it’s Gemma. Just seeing her name has my body buzzing. We had the most amazing night last night. I can’t wipe off the stupid grin on my face as I think about how it felt to be inside her and claim her as mine.
Quickly, I answer it. “Baby, I’ve been waiting for you. Didn’t you get my texts?” She dropped me off hours ago, and I’d been waiting to go hiking with her.
“Sorry. No, I haven’t had the chance to check them. But we need to talk about.”
“Okay. What’s going on?”
She lets out a breath that has me concerned. “I’m so sorry, Tyler, but I’m marrying Robert.” Her voice trails off.
“What? What happened?” I ask, slipping on my shoes, ready to go to her and have this conversation face-to-face.
“Please listen,” she says in a strained tone. “Robert came to my cottage and—”
“I’m on my way,” I tell her, not waiting any longer.
“You can’t. I’m not home. I’m at Robert’s.”
I stop moving as my heart pounds hard in my chest. “Why?”