The Troublemaker - Cathryn Fox Page 0,26
helping you out. They don’t need to know anything else.”
“That’s probably for the best.” I twist my lips. “What about your parents?”
“They don’t need to know anything,” he says. “We’ll likely have an annulment before I even see them again, anyway.”
“That makes sense.” I glance down for a second. “Is it wrong that we’re doing this?” My stomach takes that moment to ache. “I don’t like deceiving anyone. I don’t even really want to take the trust fund. God, I sound so privileged.”
“I told you there is nothing wrong with a trust fund, Kins. You work harder than anyone I know. Your father is using it to control you.”
“If I could find another way to get my business off the ground, I would.”
“What does your grandmother say? I’m assuming your grandfather that left you the money was her husband, or am I wrong?”
“No, you’re right, and she doesn’t know. Not that I know anyway. I’m not about to bring it up and upset her.”
“Your grandmother and grandfather would want you to have the money to use as you wish, I’m sure. I think grandma knows you well enough to know you wouldn’t blow it, Kins.”
I smile up at him, and say, “Just so you know, all-you-can-eat tacos will ruin that perfect six pack.”
“You think I’m perfect,” he jokes.
“Perfectly full of yourself, yes,” I shoot back. I briefly close my eyes as he chuckles. “I still can’t believe this happened.”
“We just happened to be at the right spot at the right time.”
“You mean the wrong spot at the wrong time,” I say.
He laughs. “Where’s your glass half full, Kins? This mistake is going to get you what you want.”
Mistake.
He’s right. It was a mistake, and even though I know it, I’m not sure why hearing him say it loud and clear bothers me. “I never knew you were all the lemons make lemon juice.”
“I’m not. If you’re given lemons, it’s tequila time.”
I laugh at that, and hold my head. “I am never drinking tequila again.”
“We’re going to have to get you a better ring,” he says.
My hands drop and I examine the school ring on my finger. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want you spending any money on me.”
“It’s my money, I can spend it any way I want.”
“Are we about to have our first fight as a married couple?” I ask with a shaky laugh, still not convinced this is a good idea. Pretending to be married, well technically, we’re not pretending, but playing house with a guy like him is every girl’s dream. He might be closed off, might say the wrong things, but I am definitely not immune to his charm. This can go sideways on me so fast, go wrong in so many ways that I could lose something far more valuable than my trust fund if this goes off the rail.
“Come on,” he says, his voice softer. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right. We’re either all in or we’re not.”
“I guess I’m all in.”
“Okay, let’s get dressed, and go talk to the others. Then we’ll get you a proper ring.”
“Look at you, showing your true sides now that we’re married. If I’d known you were going to be such a bossy husband, I might not have married you,” I say and go perfectly still. Wow, I kind of like the sound of husband on my tongue.
He slaps my ass and I yelp. “Easy there, wife,” he says. “Or I’ll tie you up and show you just how bossy I can really be.”
I go still again and he laughs. “Oh my God, you like that idea.” I blink at him all innocent like. “I like you more by the minute, Kins,” he says and my stupid heart misses a beat.
“What’s not to like?” I say to cover that ridiculous emotional reaction. He smiles and is about to turn when I touch his arm. “Cason.”
“Yeah.” His eyes are warm as they narrow in on me.
“I really want to thank you for this. It means a lot.”
He makes a fist and nudges my chin. “Anything for a friend. Now come on. Let’s go shock our friends.”
We both dress and head down to the restaurant where we find everyone seated around a round table for brunch.
“About time you two got here. What’s been taking you so long?” Liam asks with a smirk and Cason rolls his eyes at his friend.
“If you want to know,” Cason says and pulls me in. “Kinsley and I got married