Some Like It Charming - By Megan Bryce Page 0,12
“I know. That’s why I can trust you.”
He knelt to one knee and the look of horror on her face made him chuckle.
“Mackenzie Wyatt, will you do me the honor of pretending to marry me?”
“You’re even nuttier than I thought you were.”
“Was that a yes?”
She shook her head. “No.”
He took her hands in his and smiled. “I’ve always wanted my very own no-man.”
When she opened her mouth to yell at him some more, he stood up. “Just think about it. I’ll give you a few minutes.”
He needed to nail this thing down before she could come up with a way to get out of it. And also alert his mother and grandma. He probably should have done that before the press conference but he hadn’t thought of it.
He might just leave a voice message for his mother. Or let his grandmother tell her. Mother had strong feelings about Mackenzie, and he didn’t want to hear them again.
He took out his phone, backing his way out of Mackenzie’s office. She was looking around for the stapler again and he closed the door behind him.
He dialed his grandmother, nodding his head at those passing him as if they were giving him heartfelt congratulations instead of incredulous looks.
When Ellen answered, he didn’t know what to say.
“Er. . .”
She chuckled. “We saw it.”
We. “Is Mother alright?”
“She’s lying down.”
He debated whether or not to tell her this was a temporary arrangement, but decided against it. He would have to get his mother on board and he didn’t think he could do it over the phone. He wouldn’t put it past her to try and end this fake engagement before it had a chance to start. He glanced behind him at Mackenzie’s office. He wouldn’t put it past her, either.
“I need to go. I have a few more interviews to give. Tell Mother everything will work out and I’ll see her tonight.”
“Bring Mackenzie.”
Ethan grimaced, imagining Mackenzie and his mother together right now. “I’ll try.” He paused. “You seem okay with this.”
“I knew the minute I saw your grandfather. Sometimes that’s how it happens. And sometimes it takes seven years and countless mistakes before you can see what’s right in front of your nose.”
He shook his head, smiling. Trying to decide if she was going to be upset when she learned it wasn’t real.
He didn’t think so. Grandma rarely did surprised or upset. She left that to Mother.
He said, “I’ll see you tonight. Try to be gentle with Mother.”
Ellen hung up on another chuckle. Ethan was glad somebody was finding this situation amusing.
He commandeered an office on Mackenzie’s floor, giving his rep a quick call to see who wanted interviews. He gave permission to confirm the happy engagement, with no date set yet.
He returned four calls to reporters, giving quick interviews with promises for more later, then sat back and took a deep breath.
When he’d seen those pictures this morning, rage had filled him. He couldn’t ever remembering feeling that kind of white, hot anger before. He’d known from an early age that he was fair game. There would be good written about him, and bad. And that was that. It was up to him to get them to spin it how he wanted it spun.
And the women he dated were already in the spotlight. They knew the pressure, the unspoken rules. . .
Most of them, anyway.
But Mackenzie didn’t, and seeing her on the front of the National Enquirer had made him seriously think of destroying those who’d put her there.
He’d gone this morning to comfort her. To tell her it would be okay.
And he’d realized after about two minutes that Mackenzie didn’t need him to protect her. Wouldn’t want him to.
And she did a damn fine job of getting him to stop moping, stop dreaming of revenge, and start thinking how to spin it.
He’d known an engagement was what he needed the moment the idea had come to him. It would silence the tabloids. Would silence any other ex-girlfriends who’d started thinking of telling lies to the press.
Would stop the speculation about Mackenzie and him.
A mystery would always tantalize and an engagement announcement would end that mystery. Of course, now there was the mystery of just who this woman was who had captured Ethan Howell O’Connor.
He chuckled, thinking of some reporter getting hold of Mackenzie and what she would say. He’d have to give her a few lessons on how to talk to the press before that happened.
He thought about taking that short walk back to