Chapter 6 #2
“Our strongest option is for you to present as a stable, committed couple. But”—Sophia wagged a finger—“this can’t be a paper marriage.
The court will expect to see a real couple.
Wade, with your reputation as the town’s favorite actor, you’re expected to put on a public display—an engagement party and a wedding reception.
The Pleasant View Gazette already ran a photo of you kissing Claire on the sidewalk, so you have generated rumors and gotten a head start. ”
Claire rubbed her temple. “Our photo was taken?”
“Must’ve been when I kissed you goodbye the day we met with the lawyer.”
“Pleasant View floats with movie stars. Isn’t it common to have paparazzi there?” Sophia fluttered her fingers. “How long have you been in Pleasant View, Claire? Surely, you read the local paper?”
A tremor went through Claire. “Once. I haven’t had much…”
Time. He mentally filled in where she left off. She looked so tired.
“Well, then you should know Peak Protectors is still a hit even after fifteen years. Every teen and some adults in Pleasant View watch it because it was filmed in their town.”
Wade pushed at his chest as the idea hit with the force of reality. This wasn’t going to be a quiet background arrangement. They’d have to be public about it, already were. Something like this would attract media attention. “Then we’ll make it believable. I’ll get my PR manager on it.”
Claire’s lips flattened. She clamped both hands on her cheeks. “This feels so rushed.”
“It’s gotta be done now. There’s no time to hesitate.” No need to remind her that the Weavers weren’t going to back down this time, not with Albert dead. He caught and held her gaze. “For Bella.”
At length, she nodded. “For Bella.”
The call ended. He sat back, ran a hand over his face, and twisted his chair to the ocean view that usually grounded him.
Marrying Claire was one thing. Making it public, convincing, was a whole different story.
Plus, Claire must’ve been hoping for a real marriage someday with someone she loved.
His molars ground together. What if she was already dating someone?
Wouldn’t she have said something before agreeing to their sham?
He reached for his tablet and scrolled through his contacts to set up a group video call with whichever of his siblings were able to answer. He needed all the advice he could get.
“What’s the crisis?” Rohan’s voice crackled through the speakers. He leaned toward the screen, adjusting his tie. It couldn’t be later than four a.m. in Dubai, but he always started his days early.
“Can’t I call to say hello to my siblings?” Wade opened his fridge to grab something to eat. His chef prepared his meals in advance and kept them in the fridge so she didn’t have to wait around for him.
“Rohan’s right.” Nate lifted a glass of water on the screen, his wife, Vanessa, bustling in the background of their kitchen. “You don’t make unscheduled calls.”
“Especially not with looming studio deadlines to change Vaulting Hearts,” Owen added.
He’d recently moved to Dubai to venture into real estate with Rohan’s help.
At least until Owen chased another thrilling adventure.
Regina and Kyle instilled a strong work ethic in them, and Eric set a good example of running successful businesses.
“You’re not canceling the reunion?” Nate asked.
“Can a guy get a medal for not complaining once?” Theo’s face lit up the screen.
Wade managed a laugh. Nice to have four of his brothers available.
“Don’t worry. I’m not backing out of the family reunion.
” He hadn’t even started planning their annual get-together.
He’d intended to host it in Pleasant View anyway.
Familiarity made things simple. The alternative would be their private Hawaiian island.
“Did you hear the sudden changes in the Nuggets?” Theo asked. He and Wade usually spoke sports.
“Guys,” Rohan broke in, “did you all receive the health article I sent about the kinds of fish to steer away from? Given it’s Wade’s seafood night, this is necessary info.”
“Interesting.” Nate spoke up. “That’s something I’d better take into account for my restaurants. Did I tell you I’ve also been investing in the car racing industry now that I don’t race anymore?”
Owen chimed in about the different possible business ventures he could get into, then shifted focus. “Wade, have you confirmed the reunion dates yet?”
“The reunion is the least of my problems right now.” Wade slid grilled salmon into the microwave, the wireless speaker still casting his siblings’ voices. “I’m… getting married.”
Silence fell over the call. Wade moved back to look at his siblings on the tablet. Rohan rubbed his ears as if he were hearing things, Theo nodded, Owen’s eyes were wide, and Nate’s mouth opened and closed in silence.
“Wait, what?” Nate spluttered. “You mean in a movie, right? Lately, you’ve only been playing the counselor, the sidekick, not the one falling in love.”
The microwave beeped, signaling his food was ready, but Wade’s brothers now seemed eager to dive into a deeper discussion.
“He said marriage, not a movie role,” Theo clarified. “Could it have to do with that picture Mom saw in the Gazette?”
“Mom saw us in the Gazette?”
“What did I miss?” Nate asked.
“Seriously, Wade, clarify,” Owen ordered.
“Yes, getting married.” Wade confirmed the marriage rather than the photo. He took his food out and set it on the counter. He might as well eat while discussing this.
“Who’s the lucky girl we’re sending condolences to?” Owen chortled.
“This ought to be interesting.” Theo laughed. “Remember how upset you were, Wade, when I went ring shopping for Whitney? Seems now you’re acting far hastier!”
“This isn’t your typical kind of marriage.” Wade sank his fork into the pink meat.
Leaning back against his kitchen counter, Nate crossed his arms. “You’re not the type to spring up a relationship, let alone a marriage.”
“What happened to ‘Marriage takes away your freedom to do anything fun’?” Owen waggled an eyebrow.
Wade let them voice their concerns and assumptions while he ate. This was how they dealt with surprising news. Once the shock subsided, he cut in. “I’m marrying Claire.”
“Albert’s sister?” Rohan confirmed. “Since when are you two an item?”
“Was that part of the will too? To get married for guardianship?” Theo asked. “You need to let Mom know. She’s already curious about the article.”
So was Wade. That was his next step once he got through today’s to-do list. “Claire and I—it’s legal stuff. Bella’s grandparents are trying to take custody.” Wade further explained the situation, detailing how things escalated to this point.
“That’s a big move,” Theo acknowledged. “You’ll be marrying before me.”
“Good thing you’re skipping the dating part.” Nate looped an arm around his wife’s waist, stilling her puttering. “Saves you from second-guessing the relationship.”
Vanessa leaned back into him as he kissed her hair. “Could have helped us, couldn’t it have?”
“Nate, not helping,” Rohan said.
Wade could only smile. His siblings knew him well. Noncommittal and proud of his self-control. Falling in love was a choice, a mind game, and someone had to dwell on it to fall.
“So, people still do convenience marriages these days?” Owen bent over, typing something on another computer.
“If you’re faking it with anyone, Claire is the right person,” Theo added. “You two always had a bit of chemistry. It was undeniable at the funeral.”
“Whoa there, guys. Right now, it’s about Bella.” No need to give his siblings any ideas. “That’s what matters. Claire and I—”
“Was she on board with this?” Rohan shook a half glass of green smoothie.
“She’s hesitant.”
“Maybe she’s scared.” Theo frowned. “She’s dealing with obvious pain from her brother’s passing, and she’s taking on a new guardianship role. Now this? It’s a lot. Put yourself in her shoes.”
“Before you jump into marriage, you should take her on a date.” Nate let his wife go. “A real nice one, like at one of my restaurants. And make sure you pray about this whole situation.”
Vanessa bent into the camera view. “Wade, even I know rapid decisions aren’t your thing. But Nate’s right. Having a date is a good start to see if you can even get along.”
“Everything is happening too fast.” Wade shoved away his plate. “I’ve been so busy dealing with Vaulting Hearts and Punchline to Glory’s unexpected main cast crisis. It’s been a roller coaster since the day I got Guy’s call.”
“Again, a date is a good idea,” Owen pushed him.
Why hadn’t Wade considered a date amid the rush of legal strategies? Was it worth considering? He braced his elbows on the table and clasped his hands. “There isn’t much I need to know about Claire, but a dinner to talk about the next steps as a supposed couple wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
After they ended the call, he called to update Novi. The sooner he started embracing his new life the better. Then he called his mom.
“Hello, darling.” Her gentle voice was always soothing. “Is everything all right?”
It didn’t matter that it wasn’t the usual night Mom called him. Regina was always happy to hear from him. “I’m okay.” He crossed the kitchen and raised his hand to the back door screen. After it opened automatically, he stepped onto the balcony. “I’m getting married.” Best to say it right away.
“To Claire?”
She must’ve seen the gazette.
“Yes.”
“Why so fast?”
No way could he beat around the bush with Mom. As a counselor—a good one—she’d uncover the truth.
“Bella. Her grandparents want to take her.” He gripped the balcony railing and relayed the details.
“Have you prayed about this?” He should’ve known Mom would ask that first. “Marriage shouldn’t be a knee-jerk reaction. You can still be Bella’s guardian. It could take several court hearings, but—”
“I already told Claire I’d marry her.”
“Oh dear!” Mom drew out a slow breath. “I’ve always desired to see you date someone and get married, but this is such a quick decision.” She went into all the things he already knew from watching his parents’ perfect example of a marriage and what they believed about divorce.
“I don’t plan to divorce her.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow when your dad’s here so we can talk more about this, okay?”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I love you, darling.”
“I love you too.” He then ended the call and thrust the phone into his pocket. He braced himself on the balcony railing, taking in the fading LA evening sun. His mind reeled, and he felt like he was in a movie scene. Getting married? And so suddenly? Who was he, and where was the real Wade Stone?