Chapter 10
Charlotte
I can still feel the heat of Asher’s lips on mine as we step into the dining hall. My pulse is racing, my cheeks are burning, and my brain feels like it’s been fried. That kiss was supposed to be an act, but it didn’t feel like one. Not even close. And it was so much more than last night.
So. Much. More.
I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, trying to gauge his reaction. Of course, he looks completely unaffected—cool, calm, and collected, like he kisses fake fiancées for a living. Meanwhile, I’m over here trying not to trip over my own feet.
“Charlotte,” Melanie whispers, sidling up beside me as we make our way to the table. “Wow, is he always like that?”
I blink at her, trying to play dumb. “Like what?”
She raises an eyebrow, her expression somewhere between amused and incredulous. “Don’t play coy with me. That kiss. That scorching, toe-curling kiss. You two looked like you were auditioning for a romance movie.” She swoons. “Is he always that intense?”
“It was... nothing,” I mumble, waving it off as we sit down.
“Nothing?” she echoes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Honey, if that was nothing, I’d like to see what something looks like.”
“Melanie,” I hiss, trying to keep my voice low. “Can we not do this right now?”
She smirks, leaning closer. “Fine, but let me just say... now I see why you’re marrying him.”
I roll my eyes, but the blush creeping up my neck betrays me. “It’s not like that.”
“Sure, sure,” she says, winking. “Keep telling yourself that.”
I open my mouth to retort, but then Wade’s mother, Nancy, clinks her glass, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Now that we’re all here,” she says, her voice sweet but firm, “I have the most wonderful idea.”
Oh no. Whatever it is, it’s not going to be wonderful. I can feel it in my bones.
“I was thinking,” Nancy continues, her gaze flicking to me and Asher , “since we’re all together at this beautiful resort, why not have the wedding this weekend?”
Time stops. I’m pretty sure my jaw actually drops. Beside me, Melanie gasps softly, and I can feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on me.
“The... wedding?” I manage to choke out.
“Yes, dear,” Nancy says, beaming like she’s just suggested the most brilliant idea in the world. “Wouldn’t it be lovely? A small, intimate ceremony with family and close friends. It’s perfect.”
Perfect? It’s a disaster. An unmitigated, flaming disaster. My brain scrambles for a response, but Asher beats me to it.
“That’s very generous of you, Mrs. Sinclair,” he says smoothly, his hand sliding over mine on the table. “But Charlotte and I were hoping to take our time planning the wedding. We want everything to be just right.”
I glance at him, startled by how easily the words roll off his tongue. He meets my gaze briefly, his expression calm and reassuring, like he’s got this completely under control.
Nancy’s smile falters slightly, but she recovers quickly. “Oh, of course. I understand. But do think about it, won’t you? It would be such a lovely way to celebrate your engagement.”
“Of course,” Asher says with a polite nod.
The conversation shifts to other topics, but my mind stays stuck on the idea of a wedding. A wedding. This weekend. With Asher. The man I barely know but just kissed like my life depended on it.
I sneak another glance at him, watching as he engages in polite conversation with my father.
He’s so composed, so confident, like this whole situation isn’t completely insane.
And yet, despite his calm exterior, I can’t stop thinking about the way he kissed me.
The way his lips moved against mine, the way he pulled me close, the way my heart felt like it might actually burst out of my chest.
It was too real. Too much.
And now I have to sit here, pretending that kiss didn’t shake me to my core, while Nancy Sinclair is out here planning our fake wedding.
“Charlotte,” Melanie whispers, nudging me with her elbow. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine,” I mutter, forcing a smile. “Just... tired.”
She gives me a knowing look but doesn’t press further. Thank God.
As dinner continues, Asher and I keep up the pretense, playing the part of the doting couple.
He’s attentive, pulling out my chair when I sit, resting his hand lightly on my back when we talk, even brushing a strand of hair from my face at one point.
It’s all for show, I remind myself. But every touch, every glance feels too natural, too easy.
By the time dessert is served, my nerves are completely frayed. I excuse myself from the table, needing a moment to breathe. As I step out onto the terrace, the cool night air hits my skin, and I let out a shaky breath.
This is getting out of hand. A fake engagement is one thing, but a wedding?
I don’t know how much longer I can keep up this charade without losing my grip on reality.
And I feel like Nancy Sinclair is testing us.
Like if we don’t go through with the wedding this weekend, she’ll call the whole thing false.
Am I too paranoid? I mean, she can’t honestly expect me to get married to somebody this weekend.
Every girl deserves the wedding of their dreams, not some mashup wedding thrown together in twenty-four hours.
She’s ridiculous.
The sound of footsteps behind me pulls me out of my thoughts. I turn to see Asher standing there, his expression unreadable.
“You okay?” he asks, his voice low.
I nod, even though it’s a lie. “I just needed some air.”
He steps closer, his eyes searching mine. “Nancy’s idea threw you, huh?”
“That’s an understatement,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. “A wedding, Asher. This weekend. What are we supposed to do with that?”
“We handle it,” he says simply, like it’s the easiest thing in the world.
I laugh bitterly. “Handle it? How? By walking down the aisle in front of all these people and pretending it’s real?”
“If it comes to that,” he says, his tone calm but firm. “But it won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”
I look at him, really look at him, and for a moment, the frustration fades. He’s solid, steady, and for some inexplicable reason, I feel like I can trust him.
“Thanks,” I say softly.
He nods, his lips curving into a faint smile. “You don’t have to do this alone, Charlotte. I’ve got your back.”
And somehow, despite the chaos of the night, those words are exactly what I need to hear.
After we say good night to everyone, we make our way back upstairs. Together. Hand-in-hand. It’s comforting to have somebody to hold onto.
Once we enter our suite, I exhale.
“Do you think Nancy is on to us?”
Asher stares at me for a long beat before answering, “I don’t think she is. I think she’s just trying to push to cause a ripple in our relationship. Most men panic before a wedding.”
I smile, thinking that could absolutely be the reason why she’s suggesting the idea of the wedding. “That makes sense.” I raise a brow. “Most men?” I giggle lightly.
“Not me of course.” He sits on the bed, loosening his tie. “I wouldn’t ask a woman to marry me if I thought for any second I could be spooked.”
I nod, removing my earrings and setting them on the dresser. “Do you have anyone you're currently seeing?” it never even dawned on me that Asher has a life outside of his work. He could be happily married, and this is only an assignment for him.
My stomach drops as I wait for his answer.
He removes his tie, shaking his head. His eyes slam into mine. “Haven’t met anyone that I could see myself going all the way with.”
I release a breath, and try to pretend that his answer didn’t just affect me the way it did.
He stands from the bed, stalking across the room until he’s standing right in front of me.
He lifts his hand, sweeping a strand of hair from my face and brushing it behind my ear.
“I would have never taken this assignment if I was in a committed relationship. It would be cheating, and I’d never do that. ”
I gaze into his eyes, blinking, my heart racing. “Oh,” I whisper, my mind wandering back to the moment he kissed me before dinner.
I want him to kiss me again.
He keeps his hand close to my face, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “It wouldn’t be fair to her,” he says, and I’ve already forgotten what we were talking about.
And then my mind catches up. Her. Another woman that’ll end up with Asher. Because of course there isn’t a world where we end up together.
This is only an assignment. It’s his job. And when it’s all over, he’ll go back to his regular life. He’ll meet a lucky woman, and marry her. Jealousy rages through me, and I step back.
“Right,” I snap out. “I should take a shower.” I quickly move away from him and grab my toiletry bag.
Once I’m in the safety of the bathroom, I let out a small huff. I already hate this fictional woman who I haven’t even met. Who Asher hasn’t even met. I hate her. I hate her so much.
And I close my eyes, imagining I could be that woman.