He scowled in return.
June smiled when Craig’s cheeks and ears turned bright pink. He looked so adorable.
“Kids. I don’t see why we have to hang around here. We’ll see you soon, Junie. Craig, I’ll make your favorite, snickerdoodles.”
“Thanks, Mama Rebecca.”
Vivienne and Craig took turns hugging June’s parents. James and Rebecca gave June fierce hugs then left. Her mom waved and cried the way June wanted to cry—openly.
“I hate seeing you cry, June,” Craig said.
June could tell he still hadn’t stopped brooding. “I’m just happy, Craigy.”
“Bullshit. Despite all the kisses and hugging, I’ve never seen him look at you without a scowl.”
“Please, Craig. Everything will work out fine.”
“Marrying Henry is not the solution to your problem. It’s creating another one.”
Vivienne sighed. “Stop. We already established that, Craig. You’re right. We should have talked to you, but we didn’t. Now June is pregnant
and
married. There’s nothing we can do about this but hope that June’s you-know-what doesn’t progress and she survives.”
Craig’s expression turned even darker. “Where is your husband now?”
“With his friends, I assume. Craigy, come on. Smile.”
Craig winced. He never liked it when June used that name on him, especially when out in public. “Oh, don’t worry. No one can hear.”
“You should have come to me. I could’ve helped. I have the money, June.”
“Well, we didn’t because you would have disapprove of our plan.”
“Damn right. You’ve been in a hell of a situation before. Now this.”
June cupped Craig’s cheeks then kissed him on the lips. “I love you, Craigy,” she whispered. “You’re the best.”
Craig’s eyes turned misty, his shoulders sagging. He looked so defeated. He pulled her in a tight hug. “He’ll make you cry over and over. But you can do it, June.”
“I can do what?”
“Make him fall in love with you.”
* * * *
From where he stood, Henry watched the Greenwalds. He could see June crying. Judging by the hurt he’d seen in her eyes when he’d opened the door and found her standing on the other side, he’d bet his life that she’d seen everything. He’d fucking made her cry on their wedding day.
I’m an ass.
Yes, she’d pulled a fast one on him, but he’d benefitted from it also. He now had the money to build the business he so dreamed about.
Fuckin’ A
. He knew it was a bad idea when Stacey had asked him to see her in the house. There were many eyes focused on them. But he couldn’t ignore Stacey’s letter, begging him to come and talk to her. Stacey believed that she, too, had been a victim of June.
June had created a domino effect. She’d deceived him, but in return, both of their parents had deceived her too. They’d all agreed to a contract that June hadn’t known about—all to avoid hurting her feelings. Hell, that he didn’t understand. No matter how he looked at it, June would be hurt when she found out about it. But that was just it. Everybody believed she wouldn’t find out. All of them held a secret.
What a fucking mess.
He watched as June’s friends joined them. No one could deny it. Those three were beautiful people. He’d seen women ogle Craig while John and Trey gave Vivienne lustful looks. But June… She set herself apart. She looked amazing.
Then June had kissed Craig. The fuck! What was that about? Well, he didn’t give a fuck so long as he wasn’t touching his wife. Didn’t June realize that reporters were still around? Oh, hell. Hadn’t he just done the same thing? Kissed and touched Stacey as if he were still available.
Mixed emotions rioted deep inside him. He hated June’s trickery, but he shouldn’t be an ass. In six months, he’d be free again. June would be just a short memory in his life, like a passing ship. Most likely, he wouldn’t see her and the baby again. And he would get the rest of his inheritance. Henry raked his hair with his fingers. Son of a bitch. Why did she have to lie to him?
Vivienne was saying something about helping save June. He wondered what it was she supposed to do to save his wife. And from what?
This secrecy is driving me fucking batty.
Someone touched his elbow. He didn’t have to look. He knew who it was. Stacey’s perfume gave her away.
“I don’t think your wife will mind if you don’t spend your wedding night together. Looks like someone is willing to warm her bed up.”
“They’re friends, Stays.”
“Friends with benefits, the way I see it. Just check out the way he’s looking at her. I can feel the heat from here. That friend has been scowling the whole time. To me, he’s like a man who has had his candy stolen.”
“Not all friends are like us, Stacey.”
“Defending your wife?” Stacey bit out the words.
Henry didn’t reply. His eyes remained trained on June and her friends.
“Henry, are you listening?”
“Yes, Stacey.”
“Stop watching your wife. You know as soon as you turn your back, she’ll find another man to entice and pretend she’s his gift.”
A week ago, he would have had believed that. Not anymore. No. Something had driven June to make that decision. He thought about what Vivienne had said. That he was her worst mistake. Vivienne was a loyal friend, he’d give her that. And the two of them had made plans that had resulted in this wedding.
He hadn’t even been their sole target. There were other men they could have picked for June, but somehow he’d won. Why? Henry’s mind started whirring. June didn’t want a husband. So she must have hand-picked him, thinking he’d easily forget a night with her. Because he, Henry Colchester, had been known as a man who slept from one bed to the next. Possible.
Fuck. My wife’s secret is driving me insane.
He watched as Craig wrapped June in his arms.
“See that? Oh, God. She’s such a whore.”
“Stacey, don’t call my wife a whore again,” he snarled then left Stacey pouting. Time to stop the bastard from mauling his bride in front of the guests. Throwing the rest of his wine on the grass, he walked toward June. They’d better leave now before she made an embarrassing scene.
Chapter Twelve
June stared at the living room filled with presents. There wasn’t even room to move around. Stacks of envelopes piled high on the coffee table and flowers were everywhere.
Located in an affluent neighborhood in Woodway, a small neighborhood in Edmonds, the apartment was tucked in a street away from the main road. Really nice, but it would probably take her an hour walking before she could reach the closest bus stop, which she had yet to find. Without a car, she would have to rely on her parents or Vivienne to come and pick her up if she had to go somewhere. If they weren’t available, she would have to either walk or take the bus.
The apartment was charming with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a huge kitchen. An apartment to the rich, she realized, was a regular-size house for the middle class. Despite the grandeur of her new place, though, she didn’t feel happy at all. In fact, she felt numb. There was no one to blame, though, but herself. She’d made a selfish act. This was the result. Someday, she hoped Jelly Bean would understand.
Shaking off negative thoughts, she scanned the room. Right now she had work to do. A big task of showing Henry that marriage with her wasn’t all bad. He could see Stacey anytime and she wouldn’t say anything. Martyr? No, she wasn’t. But this was the bed she’d made. And by God, she’d lie in it.
Six months. As soon as she delivered the baby, she’d go on a treatment. Her parents would take care of little Jelly Bean. And Henry…who knows where he’d be? He might not even be her husband next month. She didn’t need to involve him. Most likely, he wouldn’t want to get involved anyway.
Still, she couldn’t help but wish for a chance to be friends with Henry.
Earlier in the limo, they had made short talk about little things.
Henry hates guns. He cares for the environment. He hates celery and is allergic to grass.
Considering their circumstances, she didn’t expect him to tell her more about himself, but she was glad. It had made the ride less uncomfortable.
Neither of them had mentioned the baby, the wedding or the apartment, however. They’d only shared tidbits about each another. And it was fun. If only they could live like that.
Make her fall in love with you.
Those were Craig’s words. The idea sounded great. But right now, her horizon looked bleak. June sighed. The future may be cloudy. Her apartment, however, had the potential to be sunny.
She’d create a welcoming home.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
A nickel for your kiss. A dime if you tell me that you love me.
June smiled at her own ridiculous idea. She turned to look at Henry standing on the stairs. He had already changed into faded jeans and a polo shirt.
“I’m just overwhelmed by all this.”
“I know. This place is okay with you?”
“Yes. It’s really big. When you said apartment, I expected an
apartment
. This is a mansion.”
“Not quite.”
“Anyway, thank you.” She made a sweeping motion. “It will take us months before we can finish opening all these presents.”
“You can start unwrapping them if you want.”
“Don’t you want to do it together so we can ooh and ahh?”
“I have to see John. We have loads of work to do to start the business.”
He was leaving her alone on their first day of being husband and wife. June nodded. Maybe Henry was telling the truth, but she imagined him with Stacey. “Okay. I’m sure there are lots of things to do here to keep me busy. I haven’t looked in the kitchen. Don’t know what’s in there.”
“Everything, I think. Don’t worry. You won’t go hungry. But if you can’t find what you want, the store is close. Less than a ten-minute drive.”
“Okay.”
Real close if I have a car.
“Are you staying out?”
“Most likely. Don’t wait for me. I have a key.”
“I’ll leave the lamp on.”
“Only one bedroom is ready. If you don’t mind, I’ll keep my things in there. I’ll move them when I get back.”
He didn’t want to share a bedroom with her. She should have expected that. “It’s all right.”
Henry raked his hair with his fingers. “June, I…”
“I, what?”
“I’m sorry about earlier. What you saw—”
“I understand.”
Damn it. I don’t want to talk about your kiss.
Henry shook his head. “Will you tell me your reason for wanting to get pregnant?”
“And you’ll hate me less?”
“I don’t hate you, June. Not hate.”
“Someday, I’ll tell you. If you still care to know.”
“I won’t be able to rest in my grave if you don’t tell me.”
“Someday, then.”
Henry stared at her. “You know I like you, right?”
Until you learned that I’d tricked you.
“Yes.”
“You’re a beautiful woman, but…” Again, he raked his hair with his fingers, leaving it standing on end.
“You love someone else. I’m not the one you hoped to pledge your love to. You don’t wish to live with me or have me as the mother of your child. You wish you weren’t here but someplace else. I know all of that. I won’t expect anything from you, Henry. Promise. All I wish for is that someday you find it in your heart to forgive me and to love Jelly Bean the way I love her.”
“I’m sure your baby will be loved.”
Our baby, Henry. Our baby.
June’s heart broke, bled and she felt like dying. But she mustered her strength and kept a smile on her face. No matter what, she wouldn’t break.
Henry checked his watch. “Sorry, but I have to go.” He walked past her.
“Henry,” she called.
“Yeah?”
June ran her hands along her gown. Vivienne had helped her put the beautiful thing on. The rows of buttons on the back were impossible to undo. “Could you help me unbutton this gown? Just so I could slip this off.”
Henry stared at her. He seemed to be debating whether to run or do the favor she asked.
Why did I even ask?
“Oh, never mind. I’ll manage.”
“Turn around.”
“Thank you.” June presented her back to him. Goosebumps appeared on her arms as soon as she felt Henry’s warm fingers touch her back. It must have been her imagination, but she thought she felt a brush of Henry’s lips at the base of her neck. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe, but she could feel. June closed her eyes. Instantly, she had sensation overload. Every touch, every move sent shivers all over her body. Oh, how her body screamed for more.
Then she felt Henry press his forehead against the back of her head.
“June…”
“Yes?”
A loud sigh then Henry walked away from her, his movements fast. “I have to go.”
“Wait!”
Hands in his pockets, he turned around then leaned on the door. “Want me to undo your hair? Take your stockings off?”
If she didn’t see the hint of a smile, she’d think he was making fun of her.
“I could do those. It’s just that…”
Dad had engraved in her mind that before any of the family members leave the house, they should give each other a kiss. The same thing should be done before they go to bed. It didn’t matter if they’d had an argument, were pissed, annoyed or ready to kill each other, just don’t end the day without a kiss. At least if an airplane landed on top of their roof and killed one of them, they’d know that the last thing they’d shared was a kiss. Not only that, a kiss erased all the bad things that had happened that day—just like rain.
She looked at Henry. It was clear to her that he didn’t want to spend their first night together as husband and wife and there was a fat chance that they’d ever spend any nights for the rest of their lives. But at least she had something to hang on to everyday. A kiss from Henry.
“Just what, June?”
“I… Well. I’m not sure if you’ll agree.”
“Tell me and we’ll find out.”
Maybe she should tell him about this tradition later. “Never mind.”
Henry crossed his arms against his chest. “What is it? You look like you have something to say. Just say it.”
“Well, in my house we have this tradition. Kind of weird, really. I think I’ll let you know about it some other time. You’re in a hurry. Have a great day and say hi to John.”