Page 45 of The Spare

“So. I’m confused,” she says, her voice dropping into that calm, terrifyingly perceptive tone she uses when we know she’s moving in for the kill. “The last time I saw your fiancé, you were referring to him as an arrogant asshole who never grew up. Now, suddenly, you’re wearing a ring and rushing down an aisle? How, exactly, did that turn of events occur?”

I shift my weight, smoothing down the front of my dress and aiming for a light, effortless tone. “It’s… kind of a long story.”

Claire crosses her arms, a slow, dangerous smirk touching her lips as she leans in close.

“I’ve got time,” she says, her eyes narrowing as she studies my face. “I might not be a med school graduate, Dr. Patterson, but I’m not dense. Walk me through this. Did he hit his head, or did you?”

“Neither,” I stammer, feeling heat creep up my neck. I desperately try to summon every ounce of my composure as Claire stares me down. “We ran into each other the other night at The Zone as I was leaving.” I cough, my mouth suddenly as dry as the Sahara. “He apologized for being a dickwaffle and so we met for dinner and cleared the air about the past. We realized we’d both grown up, and… well, the old spark was still there. I was as surprised as you to discover it was actually very mutual.” Holy cow, this girl’s got me sweating like a nun in a cucumber patch.

Claire is quiet for three agonizing seconds before letting out a dry, breathy laugh. “A mutual spark. Right. Lexi, you’re an incredible surgeon, but you’re a terrible liar. That story has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese.”

I roll my eyes and mentally cross my fingers behind my back. I hate lying to my friends. “It’s true.”

“So you went from wanting to file a restraining order to picking out wedding china because he gave you a half-hearted apology and dinner? Lexi, that story is about as solid as a paper umbrella.”

Before I can stumble through an even worse defense, Claire’s eyes flick over my shoulder. “Speaking of Mr. Romance,” she murmurs, raising her glass. “Look who’s hovering.”

Across the room, Sam’s leaning against the edge of the mahogany bar. He’s holding a glass of wine in one hand, his sharp blue eyes fixed entirely on me. The warm ambient light highlights his indisputable sex appeal, and for a split second, the intensity of his stare makes my stomach drop.

Sam pushes off the bar and strolls over, closing the distance between us. Before I can flounder through an even worse explanation, his muscular arm slides smoothly around my waist, pulling me back against his warm, broad chest. The scent of cedar and wine envelope me instantly.

“We were just interrogating your bride-to-be,” Claire says coolly, crossing her arms and eyeing his arm around my waist like a surgeon examining a tumor. “She was just telling us all about your sudden reignited spark.”

I go completely rigid in his grip, but Sam doesn’t miss a beat. He flashes that brilliant, playboy smile. The one that used to get him out of trouble with almost everyone. He squeezes my hip with a possessive intimacy that almost has me fooled.

“Don’t grill her too hard, Claire,” Sam says, looking down at me with a gaze so warm and convincing I almost have to remind myself it’s not. “I’m the one who’s rushing things. The truth is, I’ve waited long enough for her to give me a chance. I wasn’t about to allow her time to change her mind and run.” He winks.

Lord have mercy. Is he for real? He’s laying it on too thick. No one is going to buy what he’s selling.

Across the table, Georgia and Lilly let out another synchronized sigh. “Oh my god, Sam,” Georgia swoons, clutching her hands over her heart. “That is so romantic.”

Okay, so maybe Georgia and Lilly are buying.

I force a tight, artificial smile onto my face, keeping my teeth clamped together as I slowly turn my head to glare at him. Beside us, Claire’s eyebrows shoot up so high they nearly vanish into her hairline. She looks back and forth between Sam’s adoring face, and my strained expression, her eyebrows practically screaming, this is some bullshit right here.

“Actually,” Sam continues, turning his charm on the rest of the group. “I could really use your help. Since Lexi and I are keeping the engagement short, I want to make sure she gets everything she deserves. Will you girls help her plan the perfect wedding?”

“Oh, yes! Absolutely,” Lilly squeals, clapping her hands. “We’re on it.”

Sam smiles warmly, giving my ass a playful pat. My eyes practically bulge from their sockets at the unexpected PDA. My eyes find his, a glint of pure, wicked mischief dancing in his blue irises.

“Thank you. I hope you can help make this a wedding she’ll never forget,” he adds.

Like I could ever forget this fiasco.

Chapter Twenty

Lexi

Running my shaking hands down the white lace of my gown, I look out the window onto the vineyard I’ve loved since I was a child. I’ve imagined this moment for so long. But never in this dream did I imagine a wedding sewn of lies.

My face falls. My wedding day. It will likely be the only ceremony I’ll ever have. Even if I manage to find a nice man to settle down with after this year is over, it’s pretty unlikely my heart will ever recover from this marriage enough to have a real relationship. It would be hard to celebrate that.

I trace the intricate embellishments along the lace overlay of my gown. Focus on the day, Alexis. Live out this fantasy, but protect your heart along the way. What did Taylor say? Don’t be foolish. It’s a long way down.

Bzzz.

Glancing down at my cell phone as it buzzes on top of the wood dresser, I allow a genuine smile to cross my downtrodden face.