the den an hour later. Curled up on the couch, her legs tucked under her, she seemed vulnerable. Smaller. Out of place. A small wave of guilt hit me at leaving her to fend for herself, but I’d needed that time to get my head on straight again. Otherwise, I might have been a bigger asshole than I already had been.
“We’re heading out at seven.”
She turned away from the TV to raise her eyebrows at me. “Seven?”
“We’re meeting everyone for drinks tonight. Elise and West had something come up and can’t do brunch tomorrow.” I sat down near her, raking my fingers through the side of my hair. “It’s better this way. We’ll get it over with sooner.”
Tonight would begin our announcement tour. We’d planned to drop the news to our friends over brunch tomorrow, giving us time for reality to settle in, but plans had changed.
Saoirse swallowed, her hand flying to her hair then her T-shirt. “I don’t think I’m ready.”
“You are. It’ll be fine.”
“They’re going to have questions, Luca. We haven’t even talked about what we’re going to say.”
“Let’s talk about it now. We have time.”
She squeezed her eyes closed. “I don’t think you understand just how bad I am at lying. It’s going to be a shit show.”
Seeing her freak out soothed me. At least I wasn’t the only one unsettled by what we’d done today, although Saoirse didn’t seem to mind being married. Her sticking point was having to tell other people about it.
Then again, marriage meant nothing to her.
“Did you open the ottoman?” I asked.
Her eyes flew open. “What—? What are you talking about?”
I nodded toward the ottoman in front of the couch. “Open it and I’ll explain.”
She unfolded her long legs and stretched out her arm, opening the hinged top. Her mouth popped open when she peeked inside.
“Blankets!” She pulled one out and clutched it to her chest. “Were these always here and I missed them?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Someone told me I needed to buy some, so I did.”
Her brow dropped. “But what does this have to do with our story?”
“Everything. We’re going to tell the truth.”
Our friends beat us to the restaurant, which was my fault. Saoirse had been waiting for me by the door by the time I finally got my shit together. In cuffed shorts and a loose T-shirt, she looked drastically different than she had a few hours before, but she’d kept the orchid tucked behind her ear.
It was a constant fucking reminder of what we’d done. Not that I needed it. The metal band around my ring finger and the invisible one around my chest were enough for me to never forget.
The rooftop casual lounge was buzzing but not too crowded. We easily found Elise, Elliot, Weston, and his younger brother, Miles. They’d claimed a corner with padded wicker seats and vintage-style lawn chairs atop Astroturf. The place was designed to look like someone’s backyard. Not my style, but I hadn’t picked it, and Saoirse seemed perfectly pleased with the choice.
None of our friends blinked at Saoirse and me arriving together. In fact, Elise and Miles were in the middle of a game of cornhole, so we barely got more than a wave from them.
Elliot stood with his beer in one hand and shook mine with the other. “You’re almost not late,” he greeted.
“I’m turning over a new leaf. I told you that.”
Weston chuckled as he leaned in to brush Saoirse’s cheek with a kiss. “Did you two find each other on the way up?”
Her eyes slid to mine then back to Weston. “No, actually. We came together.”
His brow winged. “Did you?”
“So that’s why you’re on time.” Elliot brought his beer to his lips. “Good job, Kelly.”
She huffed. “Thanks so much, Levy. You know I live and die for your approval.”
Weston was still eyeing her. “Why did you come together?”
“Why not?” Saoirse shrugged and walked over to an empty chair, swiping the menu left there. “Oh, yum. Are we ordering food? I missed dinner, and I’m starving. There’s no way I can drink unless I eat something. Where’s the waitress?”
Her manic display caught both Weston’s and Elliot’s attention. Weston stared at her with a crinkled forehead. Elliot’s expression was less discernible, but he was studying her just as intently. Maybe because her hands were fluttering and she was reciting her favorite things from the menu—which seemed to be all of it.
She hadn’t exaggerated. Subterfuge and Saoirse didn’t gel.
Elise threw her arms up. “Yes! I told you I was good at this.”
Miles kicked a beanbag. “Why do you have to be good at everything, Lisie?”
“I’m terrible at convincing you to stop calling me Lisie.”
They joined our group, Elise tucking into Weston’s side, Miles shaking my hand then pecking Saoirse’s cheek.
“What’s happening over here?” Miles asked, peering at the menu in Saorise’s hands.
“I’m trying to decide what to order.” She studied the menu like it held deep, meaningful secrets.
“Saoirse and Luca came together,” Weston informed his girl and brother.
“You did?” Elise stole the menu from her friend. “You and Luca drove together?”
Saoirse nodded. “We did.”
Elliot tipped his beer at her. “Care to elaborate?”
I’d noticed at brunch the two of them had this thing, which was continuing tonight. He acted like he didn’t like her, and she baited him to drive him nuts, then they called each other by their last names. Cute to some, but I wasn’t much of a fan.
I curled my arm around Saoirse’s shoulders. “It’s Rossi, actually.”
Elliot’s brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”
“Exactly what I said. She’s not a Kelly anymore. She’s a Rossi.”
Saoirse crossed one leg over the other and wiggled her fingers in front of her. “Surprise.”
Our friends glanced at each other, then all eyes were on us. Miles took charge.
“Either you adopted Sersh, or you got married. Since marriage would be crazy, I’ll be the first to say congrats on your new hot blonde daughter.” Miles winked at me and patted his pockets. “Sorry, I’m fresh out of cigars, otherwise I’d offer you one.”
Saoirse let out a wobbly laugh. “Can we sit down? I would love to sit down.”
“Sure. In a minute.” Elise tugged away from Weston to round on Saoirse. “What’s going on with you and Luca? And why are you being so manic?”
“Well…” she curled her arm around my back, gripping my shirt, “it’s been kind of a crazy day. The past few weeks have been, really.”
I had to put all of us out of our misery, especially Saoirse. Her nails were seconds away from shredding my shirt from how hard she was digging into me.
“We’re married.”
Elise’s hand flew to her mouth. Miles chuckled. Weston and Elliot stared at the two of us. Like they were waiting for me to drop the punch line.
Elise was the first to act, picking up Saoirse’s left hand and rubbing her thumb over her ring. “You don’t believe in marriage.”
“I didn’t. Until Luca,” Saoirse whispered.
“But—you didn’t even tell me you were together.” Elise rolled her lips inward. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hide it from you. Like I said, it’s been a whirlwind. But you guys are the first to know. We haven’t even told our parents yet.”
“But married?” Elise was stuck on that. I guessed Saorise had been truthful when she’d told me she didn’t believe in marriage.
“Married,” I confirmed. “We kept things quiet in case it didn’t work out between us.”
Saoirse nodded. “We didn’t want any awkwardness in the group.”
Just as Elise seemed to accept that answer, Elliot interjected. “Is this because of the consultants?”
“What consultants? What are you talking about?” Elise demanded of her brother.
He raised his chin toward me. “Rossi’s board hired consultants to go over Luca’s image. They wanted him to get married. And lo and behold, he’s suddenly married to Kelly, who’s adamantly against the institution but also has a dire habit of saying yes to shit she shouldn’t.”
Everyone went quiet, even the background noise. I glared at Elliot, annoyed at him for challenging me. If I’d expected him to flinch, I would have been disappointed. Luckily, I knew better than to expect Elliot Levy to back down.
Fucking Elliot and his logical, suspicious mind. I should have known he’d question us down to the bone. That was him. He’d had to grow up fast with only himself to rely on. He never took situations at face value.
Still, it pissed me off he was questioning me after all the years he’d known me.
But hell, maybe that was exactly why he was questioning me. He knew me too well.
Saoirse laughed the motherfucker right off without a beat of hesitation. “Did you really think I would buy a stranger a cheese board? That’s such a ‘couple’ gift. I’m surprised you didn’t guess right then and there. Luca and I were already together the last time we saw you.” She snuggled into me and laid her hand on my chest. “We met at a party and haven’t spent any time apart since. I apologize again for keeping it a secret, but we are married, and we hope you’ll support us. It would mean a lot if you did.”
She slid her hand up my neck to my jaw, turning me to face her, and pressed her lips to mine. The connection was soft and almost chaste, but she lingered so long I pulled her against me and wrapped her in my arms.
Her eyes fluttered open, locking on mine. We were too close for me to see her lips curve into a smile, but the glint in her eyes gave her away.
A loud clap interrupted the moment. “I’m convinced.” Miles rushed over and hugged us both at the same time. “Congrats. I wish you nothing but the best.”
Saoirse broke away from me to hug Miles fully, and I had to stop myself from yanking her back. Elise did the job for me, stealing her friend from Miles to embrace her. They whispered to each other, rocking back and forth. I left them to it, moving closer to West and Elliot.
“Prick move,” I gritted out.
Elliot blinked. “You have to agree the timing is suspect.”
Weston patted Elliot’s arm with the back of his hand. “Couldn’t it be the timing is a happy coincidence?” Then he narrowed his eyes on me. “So Saoirse is the blonde you told us about weeks ago? The last hurrah?”
I lowered my chin. “I said those things before I knew she’d be my wife, but yes. That was her. We’ve pretty much been together since then.”
“The consultants will be thrilled,” Elliot intoned.
I folded my arms over my chest. “I won’t ask you to be thrilled. I know that’s outside your wheelhouse. But how about keeping the smart-ass quips to yourself like a real friend? Can you do me that favor?”
He sighed and shoved his free hand into his pocket. “I don’t like being taken for a ride, Luca. If you’re on the level, I will wish you the best. But if this is all some elaborate cover and you’re standing there lying to my face, I won’t react well.”
Two years. I’d have to look my best friend in the face and lie to him for two years while hoping like hell he never found out the truth.
“I’ll accept your apology when you’re proven wrong.”
God, I am such an asshole. So far, nothing about being married had provided any relief. If anything, it had added another layer of problems to my already laden shoulders.
“It looks way too serious over here.” Saoirse came up beside me, circling her arms around my middle. “Are you going to feed me before I wither away, husband?”
Giving Elliot one final glare, I looked at Saoirse, who was currently the only reason anyone might believe our story. For the terrible liar she was, she was playing the role well.
“Of course I’m going to. I just found you. I can’t lose you now.”
Grinning, she pecked the hinge of my jaw. “Sweet husband.”
“Hearing you say that is going to take some getting used to,” Weston said.
“I’m practicing saying it myself,” Saoirse admitted.
Elliot continued being a suspicious asshole. “That’s what happens when you marry a stranger.”
Saoirse’s happy bounce deflated. “You know what might be nice? Some support. Luca and I didn’t come here today to ask you what you think of us together. We’re telling you it’s a done deal. You don’t understand it, and that’s fine. I guess, as a friend, it would be nice if you’d reserve your judgment.”
Elliot canted his head. “That’s fair.”
Her eyes rolled. “Glad you think so.” She kissed my cheek before breaking away from me again to join Elise and Miles, who were in the midst of giving their order to a waitress.
Weston offered me a measured grin. “I’m beginning to see it. I’ll echo Miles and wish you the best.”
Elliot brought his beer to his mouth. “Good luck.”
I pointed at Weston. “Thank you for being a good friend.” Then I jabbed my finger at Elliot. “Thanks for consistently being a dick.”
“I do my best,” Elliot answered.
Weston reached out to squeeze my shoulder. “It’s a shock for all of us. Guarantee he’ll be less of an asshole next time.”
I eyed Elliot, who was smirking and telegraphing his thoughts loud and clear. He was saying, “I wouldn’t bet on it.”
The drive back to my place was subdued. The night had taken a smoother turn once the shock of our announcement had somewhat worn off, but the underlying tension had never really left.
“That didn’t feel good, did it?” Saoirse asked.
“No. Not so much. You sold it well, though.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I hardly wanted them to find out we were deceiving them.”
“Grace under pressure,” I murmured.
“That feels like a compliment.”
“It was. If not for you, no one would have believed we were married for real reasons.”
“They were real reasons, Luca. Just not the reasons other people get married.”
In my peripheral, I saw her spinning her ring around her finger. “We’ll get you an engagement ring tomorrow.”
“Oh. No, that’s not necessary.”
“It really is. My wife wouldn’t be walking around without a diamond on her finger.”
“I don’t like diamonds.”
My hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Fine. You’ll choose a ring you like.”
“Do you like yours?”
“My ring?”
“Yes. Do you like your ring?”
My eyes flicked from the road to the metal wrapping around my fourth finger. “It fits well, but it’ll take some getting used to.”
“I—” She shook her head, whatever she’d been about to say lost. “Okay.”
Saoirse spent the rest of the ride looking out her window while I tried to figure out why I couldn’t let myself tell her I’d been surprised she’d gone out of her way to buy me a ring and if I’d had to pick one for myself, it would have probably looked a lot like this.
