Chapter 3
3
Schapelle
Sometimes, looking at my twin sister Tenley is like looking into a mirror, because apart from the blonde streaks she got last summer, we're identical.
Her face fills the entire screen of my phone as I adopt what's become my favorite couch position since falling pregnant—sprawled out with both legs swung over the back. What it lacks in grace, it more than makes up for in comfort. I'm keeping the phone close to my face to save Tenley from witnessing my beached whale phase.
But other times, I'm reminded how completely different we can be. Times like right now.
We're FaceTiming since she's currently based in Florida, running a chain of high-end resorts. I've just finished catching her up about what happened at Sabra and Reece's engagement party yesterday. Her eyes have been bug-eyed for most of the conversation, and they almost popped out of her head when I told her about the fifty mil clause in his grandfather's will and Brock's subsequent proposal.
"He said what?! "
"He asked me to marry him," I repeat calmly.
"And what did you say?"
"I said I'll think about it."
"What is there to think about? You tell the dude, 'Sorry for accidentally kissing you, but we're complete strangers, so I cannot enter into a legally binding contract with you'."
"Hmm. I guess that's one way of looking at it."
Her jaw drops. "What other way is there?"
"Well, I've been doing some research…" Code for, I've been glued to my laptop all day, digging up everything I can on the hunky mountain man I smooched yesterday. Which, to be honest, wasn't a lot. He has no social media—surprise, surprise—and most of what I found centered around his brother, Culver Palladino, a retired pro hockey player. "We're kinda connected."
Tenley's blue eyes narrow. "Connected how?"
"Brock's younger brother Culver is married to one of our sister's best friends Hannah."
"Which one of our sisters? Allie or Beth?"
"Beth."
"That's six degrees of Comfort Bay for you," she says wryly. Before our parents settled on the mountain, we lived in Comfort Bay for a while, a small town where everyone knows everyone. Or at least everyone knows someone who knows someone else. We all moved away, except for Beth, who works in the local bookstore. "Wait. You're not actually seriously considering going through with this, are you?"
"I am."
"Are you insane ?"
"Possibly. But don't worry, I've got it under control."
"How?"
"I'm not interested in men or dating or falling in love. That's not going to happen this time because I have something much more important to focus on."
She exhales through her nose, and her expression softens a fraction. "Be that as it may, I know you, and your choices when it comes to men have been?—"
"A disaster," I jump in, saving her from stating the blatantly obvious.
She nods uncomfortably. "Well, yeah."
"This time it's different. I'm not going to fall in love with the guy."
"Really? So you've been regaling me with how good he looked in his suit, how he was a great listener and funny in a low-key way, and how ludicrously long his eyelashes are for the past twenty minutes because you're not interested in him?"
"There's more to love than physical attraction," I point out, secretly hoping it pushes away another thought.
A deeper thought.
The way Brock's breath caught and his jaw tightened when he talked about his second deployment. Something happened. My author and military instincts are each strong on their own, but combined, I know there's a story there. I have to find out what it is.
"His grandfather's will stipulates he only needs to be married for a month. That's not that long."
"Schapelle! This is crazy. You. Don't. Know. Him!"
"He's a good guy," I say firmly, because I truly believe that. "Besides, I'm an author. I love observing people, witnessing life as it plays out in a million ways. This is great material."
Tenley pins me with a knowing look, and I try not to wince under her glare. Being a twin sucks sometimes, it's like she's in my brain and knows exactly what I'm thinking. "Men with emotional baggage are your kryptonite," she reminds me softly.
"Not this time. This time, I'm lead."
"Lead?"
"Yeah. Lead is the only material that can block kryptonite radiation. Duh."
Her eyes roll back. "I never watched Batman."
"Superman."
"Whatever. I still think it's crazy you're even contemplating going through with marrying a stranger." She looks like she's about to go on, but then takes a long, hard look at me and sighs in defeat. I can be reckless and hasty at times, but she's well aware I'm also as stubborn as a mule. A truly winning combo. "When do you have to let him know by?"
"I don't."
"Excuse me?"
"I either show up at the registrar's office this Saturday, or I don't."
She frowns, confused. "You're not going to call or at least text him beforehand with your decision?"
"I couldn't even if I wanted to."
"Why not?"
"He doesn't have a phone." Tingles shoot up and down both my arms. "How '90s is that?"
"Today marks the official joining of Brock Matteo Palladino and Schapelle Jade Moore as they enter into the legally recognized institution of marriage."
I glance over at Brock. He offers me a tentative smile.
So…when I said pretending to date a man I didn't know was going to be the last crazy and wild thing I did before becoming a mom?
Scratch that.
This is the last crazy and wild thing I'm going to do before becoming a mom.
Because yep, I'm doing it. I'm marrying Brock Palladino for a month.
My three sisters—Tenley, my middle sister Allie, and my youngest Beth—all think I've lost my mind.
My parents are concerned, but they've had twenty-nine years of practice dealing with me and know full well that once I make up my mind about something, there's nothing anyone can say or do to stop me.
My lawyer insisted I hand Brock an NDA and pre-nup even though he's the one inheriting fifty mil. I may have a few bestsellers under my belt, but no way am I in that league. Brock signed both documents without question before the ceremony.
The officiant reminds us of the legal obligations and responsibilities that marriage entails and then dives straight into the vows. He's not messing around. This is all happening so fast, nothing like the romantic weddings I spend countless hours agonizing over for my characters.
But that's because this marriage isn't about love.
I meant what I said to Tenley, I'm not going to fall for Brock. Nope. My days of dating the wrong men are over.
While I may be physically attracted to my soon-to-be wedded husband—he's filling out the same navy suit he wore at the engagement party in all the right ways, his deep eyes drawing me in with untold stories brimming beneath the surface, and there's an undeniable current bubbing between us—none of that makes one iota of difference.
In less than five months, my life will change forever. Now is not the time to get my heart played with again. I've got to focus all my strength and energy on getting ready to be the best mama for my baby.
I am one hundred percent done with men…even those of the sexy mountain man variety.
"Do you, Brock Matteo Palladino, take Schapelle Jade Moore to be your lawfully wedded spouse?"
Brock stares at me intensely, a V forming between his thick eyebrows.
Saying you're going to marry a stranger is one thing, actually standing in front of an officiant and two office staff acting as witnesses inside the small chamber of a courthouse wearing a wedding dress you picked up on Amazon is something else entirely. My stomach is doing flips right now, and I wonder if he's having second thoughts.
"I do," he says, his tone clear and commanding.
Looking up at him, studying his handsome face as I get asked the same question, I repeat to myself, Do not fall in love with the man you're marrying. Do not fall in love with the man you're marrying. Do not fall in love w ? —
The officiant has stopped talking and clears his throat. "I do," I respond.
"By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss."
Oh, yeah. This part. It slipped my mind that we'd have to seal the deal.
I must look shocked because Brock leans over and whispers, "We've already done this once. Happy to skip it if you want to."
I lift my chin. "And what if I don't want to?"
My pulse flutters as he holds my gaze for a long moment. "Well, then. What are you waiting for?" The unbearingly bright light catches on the tips of his long lashes. "Kiss me. Again. Wife ."
So I rise on my toes and place a gentle kiss on my husband's lips.