My Vegas Groom (The Greene Family #3) - Piper Rayne Page 0,14
no juicy gossip.
She’s quiet while she practically speed walks around the bend. “And you’d arrange for some other big names to do my podcast?”
“Yep, and I have a connection to a satellite radio guy.”
She sighs and stops, heading over to a hill and sitting. “You’re making it hard to pass up.”
“That was my intention.” I sit down next to her, propping my knees up.
She looks at me. “Only you and I would know about our deal?”
“I can see that you’re close to your family. But the more people who know, the higher the chance that it gets out. I’ve seen the press do some pretty shady things to get people to talk, so I think it would be better if you and I were the only ones who know about our arrangement. It’s better if everyone thinks we’re a happy couple.”
“True. I hate deceiving my family though.” She lowers her head between her knees.
And I hate deceiving her. But clearly the whole “wearing my heart on my sleeve” thing isn’t going to work with her. She doesn’t believe in gut feelings and intuition. Hopefully I’ll find out why someday because she’ll trust me enough to tell me. Until then, I’ll just keep crossing my fingers behind my back.
“But you’ll finally get that podcast up and running.”
She tilts her head and rests her cheek on her knees. I want to tuck a strand of her blond hair behind her ear, but she’d probably find it creepy.
“Okay,” she says in a soft tone. “But it stays between us.”
“Between us,” I say.
“And you’re going to stay up here and train?”
“Yeah, but first things first, you have to do one interview in Vegas with me to get the press off our backs.”
She nods. “Okay.”
We don’t shake hands or seal it with a kiss, but the deal is made. I have three months to prove to her that there’s a reason we got married in Vegas. Wish me luck. I’ll need all of it I can get.
Chapter Seven
“One last thing.”
Nikki
I’m delusional. That’s got to be the reason I’ve agreed to continue this sham of a marriage with Logan.
When I walk into the radio station office, the administrative staff all peer up at me from their computers. A few say hello, but I beeline into the recording studio to get my segment over with. I have to tell my listeners about my marriage so that they’ll continue to trust me. After this, I’m flying down to Vegas with Logan to do an interview where we’ll say we’re happily married. Such an interview is necessary according to Logan.
“Hey, Chip,” I say, sliding into my seat in front of the microphone.
“I have a whole list of questions that won’t stop coming in about you and a certain MMA fighter?” my older co-host says with a laugh.
Chip used to run the segment I do now, but he’s happy co-hosting with me—probably because I take the brunt of the feedback when Sunrise Bayers are upset at something we’ve reported.
“And I’ll answer them.”
“What about him? Is he coming in?” The only reason Chip is asking is because I’m sure he wants an autograph.
“No. I’m handling this on my own.”
I ignore his pout while he stands to refill his coffee mug. My gut has been clenching so hard, I’ve yet to finish my morning smoothie.
Chip returns a minute later, and our producer, Matty, tells us we’re on air in two minutes. I gear up, hoping to satisfy the town with my openness about the situation, even though I’m lying through my teeth.
Matty counts us down behind the window and points at us.
I reposition my headphones and straighten in my chair. “Hello, Sunrise Bayers! It’s Nikki Greene and I’m here with Chip.”
Chip says hello in his faux grumpy voice.
“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” I say, my stomach churning. “I think when MMA fighter Logan Stone came to town, everyone was on the edge of their seats. I know for a fact my brothers were drooling over the man.”
“So were your sisters,” Chip adds.
I laugh and shake my head. “Rumors are flying, and here at ‘Scandals of Sunrise Bay,’ I like to report the truth, as you all know. The truth is that I married Logan Stone in Las Vegas this past weekend.”
Chip presses a button and wedding bells ring.
“Thank you, Chip. It was unexpected and a hasty decision, but we’ve decided to see where it goes.” I can’t believe I’ve lied to my listeners for the first time ever.