Thankfully, Chase never pressed her for more information. Most likely she couldn’t have answered appropriately anyway. She was too busy concentrating on not leaning into his side. Not giving in to the relief snaking through her with Chase beside her. Not letting herself weave her fingers around his and hold on as if he was suddenly her anchor. That was all kinds of foolishness for someone as levelheaded as her.
Nichole greeted the hostess for the restaurant and followed the woman toward a private dining room. Two men wearing black suits and ties rose and stepped around a square table. Floor-to-ceiling wine shelves encased in glass made up two walls. The other two were lined in cork for an intimate setting. A setting for business deals, tough negotiations or romantic interludes. Nichole’s four-inch heels failed to stiffen her spine.
“You look really good, by the way.” Chase’s voice whispered across her neck. “Powerful and in charge.”
Nichole offered a quick nod. His hand dropped onto her lower back and propelled her forward. When had she stopped walking? She inhaled a deep breath of Chase’s spicy cologne, which scattered her already short-circuiting focus.
The executives she only knew by name after several emails and two phone calls came forward. Neither one bothered to hide their excitement that an all-pro football player stood before them. She had to make this happen. It was now or never for her business deal.
Nichole stepped slightly in front of Chase and blurted, “Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to my husband, Chase Jacobs.”
CHAPTER FIVE
MY HUSBAND.
Nichole’s matter-of-fact words slammed inside Chase’s head like a helmet-to-helmet hit. He waited for the ref’s whistle. The shrill sound that would disrupt the momentum and pause the moment.
Two gentlemen in coordinated business suits stepped forward, hands outstretched in greeting, smiles restrained by the boundaries of professional politeness.
Time continued to run down. No one called an audible. No one changed the play—the one that called for a pretend marriage. The moment never paused.
“Congratulations. I’m Vick Ingram.” Vick, the stockier of the duo, his midsection relaxed by more than one good meal, shook Nichole’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you and your new husband.” Vick turned to Chase. Speculation added dimension to the man’s plain brown gaze. “Offensive player of the year three seasons straight, four-time Pro Bowler and more than three hundred and fifty touchdowns. That’s quite a career.”
“The news of your sudden marriage is quite big too. I’m Glenn Hill.” The knot on Glenn’s tie was one tug away from sloppy. The unfastened top button of his dress shirt signaled his lack of effort with his attire. As if he wasn’t serious about this particular meeting.
“It’s a recent development.” Nichole’s words rushed out.
So recent, Chase hadn’t been aware marriage vows were part of the favor owed.
“We’re still adjusting to our new status,” Nichole rambled on. “There’s a lot of details to be worked out.”
So many details that they’d need a lengthy one-on-one conversation to hash through them all.
Vick’s grin appeared genuine. “Love can be a whirlwind.”
Or a complete hoax.
“But it also makes for the best headlines.” Glenn rubbed his hands together. “It’s surprising I haven’t read about the sport’s favorite playboy bachelor finally getting hitched. You’re one of the internet’s favorite topics.”
The best headlines were often the most lucrative. Chase wondered about the guy and straightened into his full height.
“Vick and Glenn are senior partners in Fund Infusion.” Nichole shifted toward Chase. “Their firm has offered to invest in the app I designed and built.”
So much hope swirled in Nichole’s hazel gaze. Too much. She trusted these two men with her dream. Why? Chase trusted these men about as much as he trusted any defensive player to tag him rather than tackle him during a game. In other words, not at all. Concern, not confidence, stiffened his shoulders.
“Aren’t you going to share the details of your wedding?” Glenn adjusted his tie as if their wedding news was more than worth his full consideration. “I’d love to know. After all, we’re friends.”
Friends. Not exactly. Chase wrapped his arm around Nichole, tucked her into his side. “We’d like to keep this affair private. As friends, I’m sure we can count on your discretion until we’ve made a public announcement.”
“Of course.” Vick’s gaze slanted sideways toward his business partner, making the assurance in his words all the more suspect.
“If you change your mind, we’re more than interested in hearing a good love story.” Glenn’s smirk was obvious despite the mustache covering his entire top lip.
“Perhaps you’d also be interested in reviewing the business plan I put together.” Nichole’s crisp professionalism was clear, but the underlying plea caught Chase off guard.
That wasn’t a challenge. That was a dropped ball on what should’ve been a touchdown scoring pass. Chase glanced at Nichole.
Chase Jacobs, you’re a cheater.
Yes, I am.
That admission had rocked Nichole’s bluster, but she’d never wavered. Never walked away.
Where was the Nichole who’d always challenged Chase’s motives and his integrity? She looked like the slightest nudge would topple her over. He secured his hold around her waist and his guard.
“Now that you’ve married Chase Jacobs, you could simply give your program away for free.” Glenn’s mustache twitched, revealing his smirk again.
Chase smoothed out his smile. The man had dismissed Nichole’s program. Dismissed Nichole. Surely Nichole noticed that slight. Surely Nichole would challenge Glenn now.
“I did not marry Chase for his money.” Although the sudden lost thread in her voice hinted at her uncertainty.
Chase searched Nichole’s face. What would motivate someone like Nichole Moore to marry someone like Chase? He blinked. Definitely not the topic for this evening. But the question stuck inside him like a clump of grass smashed into his face guard. An unavoidable nuisance and difficult to remove.
The doubt and worry lingering in Nichole’s gaze reinforced his conviction. For the first time in far too long, Chase wanted to rescue someone other than himself.
Chase took Nichole’s hand and pressed a
