Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
O utside her office, Madison took another giant gulp of her coffee, and then immediately wondered if it was a good idea. Her nerves were already frayed—Between her mind constantly asking if she had finally completely lost it, and the anticipation of telling her best friend that she was getting married, she was vibrating with anxiety.
In romance novels, a marriage of convenience always meant hidden feelings. But this wasn’t a romance novel, and Alex had been extremely clear.
In a way, he had turned out to be the Prince Charming she’d teased him about. And while he may not be pledging his undying love and devotion, he was pledging his protection and partnership. Frankly, she preferred it. Plus, she suspected if she lost a shoe, he’d get it back to her without all the fanfare.
Madison had rehearsed everything she wanted to say while she lay sleepless in Alex’s guest suite last night. She hadn’t been sure what to expect after she’d accepted his proposal, but he had escorted her to a guest suite and helped her make the bed safe to share with Jax.
“Tomorrow, I’ll make some calls and get everything in motion. Let me know what stores you prefer, and I’ll have clothes delivered here. Also, I’ll have my assistant send the portfolios of a couple of interior designers I know, and you can choose one.”
“For what?” Madison thought maybe she’d already fallen asleep and was dreaming.
Alex’s brow wrinkled. “To create whatever rooms you need for Jax. He really seems to like that dinosaur, but…” He ran a hand back through his thick, dark hair. “Whatever he wants.”
The next morning, Alex was waiting for her in the kitchen, dressed in athletic shorts and a sleeveless shirt, his tattoos on glorious display. His hair was slicked back, and the slight sheen of sweat on his skin made her mouth dry.
You are holding a baby, pervert!
“I had some groceries delivered.” Alex gestured at the bags on the counter.
Madison peeked into one. It looked like he had bought out the entire selection of baby food.
“That’s a lot.”
He looked sheepish. “I didn’t know what he ate besides bread and cheese, so I just tapped on everything on the app.”
Madison smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. “This is perfect.”
His shoulders dropped, and he looked relieved. There was something unbelievably addictive about how soft he was with Jax. Not that Alex had ever been loud or abrasive with her, but there was always that unmistakable razor sharpness under his smooth words.
Never with Jax.
A warmth curled through her.
She was making the right decision.
“Before I forget.” Alex turned, opened the drawer behind him, and took out a small jeweler’s box, before opening it and removing a gorgeous ring. Her heart stopped.
He stepped beside her, gently taking her free hand and sliding the ring onto her finger. “Is it too loose?” He frowned down at the stunning sapphire and diamond ring. “I can?—”
“It’s perfect,” she breathed, and then cleared her throat when his eyes snapped to hers. “I mean, it fits perfectly.”
Alex’s gaze dipped to the ring again, and his thumb grazed the top of it. “If you prefer something else, just let me know. I can make an appointment.”
“Charming.” Alex looked up. “I love it,” she said firmly. “You did a good job.”
Alex grunted. “Okay, well, I better hit the shower.” He hesitated. “I’ll probably be late most nights. Text me if you need anything. There is a credit card on the counter for you to use, for anything else you want.”
Now, standing in front of the door to their podcast studio, Madison took one last deep breath and pushed the button so Gerry could let her in.
“Morning!” she called, pasting a bright smile on her face and setting the drink holder with two coffees on the reception desk.
Gerry’s eyebrows shot up. “Were they giving out orgasms with that coffee? I haven’t seen you in this good a mood in…. to be honest… forever.”
“That’s not true,” Madison objected, still trying to keep her voice light even while she acknowledged Gerry was right. She hadn’t woken up without a sick knot of fear and worry over either her sister or Jax in almost two years.
The situation with Alex still made her nervous, but it was different. She trusted his word that he would keep them both safe. The nerves were entirely whether she was going to survive this arrangement with her heart intact.
“It kinda is.” Cami leaned against the door frame. She looked suspicious. “What’s going on?”
“Coffee?” Madison pulled out her friend’s favorite coffee and held it up. Anything to put this off.
Cami stepped forward with a smile. “We highly appreciate caffeine as a diversionary tactic.”
Madison waited until she’d taken a sip, and then clutched her coffee in front of her with both hands, almost like armor.
“Actually, I have some news. I know it is going to feel like a surprise, but I’m really happy?—”
“Holy shit!” Gerry sprang up, his saucer-wide eyes lasered on her hand. “What is that?”
“What? What’s happening?” Cami’s eyes swung from Gerry to Madison.
“That?” Gerry pointed to Madison’s ring finger before lifting his eyes to goggle at her. “Ma’am,” he breathed, and then pulled her hand close to study the ring. “Is that a sapphire? That has to be at least five carats, and those diamonds on either side are at least two.” He let out a low whistle.
“Mads?” Cami’s voice trembled a little, and by the look in her best friend’s eyes, Madison knew she understood.
“If you trust them, tell them the truth.”
Alex’s voice sounded in her head. It was the last thing he’d said to her before leaving that morning when she expressed her worry over Cami’s reaction.
“Surprise?”
Cami’s eyes widened even further, and she gave a small shake of her head.
Gerry still hadn’t relinquished her hand, and she yanked it back. “Is this from the flowers guy?”
“Alex.” Madison focused on Gerry to avoid what she knew was coming.
“I’ve gotta get myself a gangster.”
Madison pulled her hand back. “Alex isn’t a gangster.” Her voice was sharper than she intended.
“Sorry, I meant it as a compliment.” But Madison didn’t miss the look he shot Cami.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Cami didn’t wait for her to answer before she turned and walked back into her office.
“I don’t want to miss this.” Gerry pouted.
For a split second, Madison considered taking the coward’s way out and insisting on having the conversation she knew was to come with Gerry as a buffer. But it would only prolong the inevitable and make Cami more agitated.
Madison agreed with Alex that only those they trusted could know the truth. So that limited it to—Cami and her husband, whom she had no doubt Cami would immediately confide in.
However, Gerry was a different story. After a few two-for-one margaritas on Thursday nights, their receptionist was less than discreet.
“I’ll try to remember the good parts for you.” Madison winked over her shoulder.
She shut the door behind her and faced her friend sitting on her desk.
“What’s really going on?” Cami’s voice was as serious as she’d heard it. “Does this have to do with Jax?”
Cami knew her better than anyone. It shouldn’t surprise her that her friend had cut to the core issue immediately.
“Did he threaten Jax? Is he forcing you?”
Cami’s words blew away her thoughts.
“Of course not.” Madison’s voice was firm.
It was the truth. Alex wasn’t forcing her to do anything. He was helping her. This was exactly what she didn’t want, Cami thinking the worst.
She and Alex were friends, sort of. She didn’t love him, but there was something there, and for the foreseeable future, they were on the same team. A kernel of defensiveness made her tone sharp. “He cares about Jax. He would never do anything to hurt him.”
Cami’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant…”
Madison cocked her head. “What else could threaten Jax mean?” She felt irrationally angry that her best friend would immediately think the worst of Alex.
“Not physically,” Cami amended. “I wondered if maybe he was using Jax to manipulate you.”
“How exactly do you think he could do that?” Cami was closer to the truth than she realized.
“Anyone with eyes can tell he’s infatuated… obsessed… with you. I’m sure that feels very good. You’ve been shouldering so much on your own this last year, and I imagine the idea of having a partner, particularly a powerful alpha type, would seem really attractive. But it’s the idea, not the man.”
Madison’s lips quirked. “You remember we took all the same classes for our graduate psych degree, right, Cam? Validate the feelings, show empathy and understanding before offering the alternative… What am I forgetting?”
“Getting you to see sense,” Cami muttered, but she gave Madison a reluctant smile. “There’s no way you walked in here today thinking I was going to throw my arms around you and say congratulations. Not point out all the risks?”
Risks?
He told you upfront he’d never love you back.
Back?
I’m not going to fall in love with him.
Sure about that?
Madison swallowed a groan.
Great, now I’m arguing with myself.
“Huh?” Madison stared at Cami for a minute, realizing that her friend was still speaking.
Cami gave her a funny look. “You don’t know him.”
“I know he is stupid hot and ridiculously charming when he wants to be.”
“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.” Cami glared at her.
“I’m not like you, Cam. I didn’t dream of my wedding as a little girl. You’re the romantic, not me.”
“Still…”
“Look at the divorce rate in this country. I’m sure ninety-eight percent of couples think their marriage will last forever because they are in love… Did you know the divorce rate for arranged marriages is only four percent, whereas the national average is around fifty for so called ‘normal’ marriages?”
“This isn’t an arranged marriage.”
“It is. By me.”
“What about kids? You might never talk about getting married, but you’ve always wanted a big family,” she said triumphantly.
Madison held up a finger. “First of all, I said that before I knew how hard having a child is. But...” she said when Cami gave her an ‘oh really,’ look. “I do want more children. I want Jax to have siblings. Opal had her problems, but she was my sister.” Madison roughly cleared her throat. “I want Jax to have that.”
Cami’s eyes bulged. “You’re saying this fake marriage is really a?—”
“There will be nothing fake about our marriage.” Somehow, repeating Alex’s words brought her a level of comfort she hadn’t expected. He might never love her, but for reasons she couldn’t explain, she knew he’d be the perfect partner for her.
“What you and James have is rare. You don’t see it because you’ve loved him your entire adult life. Not everyone gets that. When all is said and done, I’m marrying a rich, intelligent man who has promised to help me keep my son.” She waggled her eyebrows, trying to lighten the mood. “And it doesn’t hurt that he’s hot as hell, and it’s the best sex I’ve ever had.”
“There’s more to marriage than?—”
“I’m done talking about this,” Madison interrupted. “If you can’t bring yourself to come to the ceremony, I will understand.” Her lip wobbled. “But I hope you’ll still be my friend.”
Tears filled Cami’s dark eyes, and she crushed Madison in a fierce hug.
“You’re not my friend. You’re my family. Of course, I’ll be there, and I will always support you.”
“It’s next Saturday.” She held up her hand when Cami spluttered. “You got married two weeks after getting engaged.”
“That’s different?”
“Why?”
“Because James and I knew each other. You just met Alex.”
“I met Alex four months ago. And you and James knew each other a decade ago, and only found each other again a month before he proposed and six weeks before you got married.”
Cami’s mouth opened and shut several times. Madison felt a little guilty as her friend reached for a rebuttal. The two situations were radically different, and she knew it. Cami and James had loved each other even when they were apart.
“I want this, Cami.”
“You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t miss your wedding for anything.”
Madison relaxed into the embrace, only just realizing how much Cami’s response meant to her. “Have you thought about what you want? It’s so fast I’m assuming small, but if that ring is any indication, Alex doesn’t have any hesitation about spending money on what you want.”