Page 150 of The Fiancée Farce

Gemma grinned. “You want to go somewhere private?”

Yes. Always.“Later. I want you to finish what you were saying.”

Gemma groaned, head dropping back. “Like I can be expected to string a thought together with you looking like that.”

Tansy burst out laughing. “This old thing? You once called this sweater ugly as sin and told me it belonged at the bottom of an incinerator.”

“But see, now it has sentimental value.” Gemma lifted a hand and fingered the rhinestone-embellished collar of Tansy’s cardigan. “You were wearing this the night I met you. It’s practically lucky at this point.”

Tansy leaned in, lips brushing Gemma’s.

“Still a sap,” she whispered.

“Sappiest,” Gemma corrected. “You can call me whatever you want, as long as I get to call myself yours.”

Tansy shuddered and shivered, melting into Gemma. “You’ve got a way with words, Gemma van Dalen. You know that?”

“What can I say? You bring out the best in me, Tansy Adams van Dalen.” She traced the crest of Tansy’s cheek with the pad ofher thumb. “Now, what was I saying . . .right, tomorrow is a very special day.”

“Our second anniversary.” Tansy nodded. “As we’ve established.”

“Yes, oursecondanniversary.” Gemma stared at her for a moment, then sighed. “My grandfather’s trust stipulated I marry and remain married for no fewer than two years.Thatwas the initial deal, yours and mine. And tomorrow, those two years are up.”

Time really did fly. In the two years since she and Gemma had exchanged vows in front of the board and shareholders of VDP, Madison had divorced Tucker, Victor had filed for bankruptcy after being found guilty of tax evasion, and VDP shares had skyrocketed. Under Gemma’s leadership, the company had gone public, flourishing without sacrificing the values that set it apart from its competitors.

VDP wasn’t the only company flourishing. Belltown Books was doing better than it ever had, posting record sales with an expanded staff, Tansy having purchased the store from Katherine in a lucrative deal just over a year ago with Gemma’s unwavering backing. The store was a must-stop shop for books and a queer neighborhood landmark, hosting standing-room-only book clubs and never failing to draw in a crowd of loyal locals and newcomers alike. Belltown Books and its employees were thriving and, Tansy liked to think, doing her parents’ legacy proud.

“Our deal wasalsothat we’d be married in name only. We saw how well that worked out.”

An agreement dashed in what? Under thirty days, if memory served.

Gemma smiled impishly, her eyes flitting upward, crinkling softly at the corners. “I just figured, I’d do my due diligence andremind you before the warranty runs out and you’re stuck with me forever.”

“Forever, hmm?” Tansy clasped her fingers together behind Gemma’s neck. “Sounds like an awfully long time.”

Gemma looked at Tansy in that special way of hers, like Tansy was her reason for breathing, oxygen be damned. A look that never failed to, ironically, take Tansy’s breath away. “If I’m lucky.”