“There's always divorce,” Lana said. “Anyway, why are we talking about this crap? It's depressing. We should be happy for her, right? How many times have you told me you worried she'd be alone forever?”
Cole blushed and went back to his research. “I just want her to marry the right guy, for the right reasons.”
“Why else would I be getting married to him?”
“I don't know. Money?”
If he hadn't been my brother, I would have punched him for that remark. How dare he!
“What the hell, Cole? I'm not a gold digger and you know that. If I truly wanted to find myself a sugar daddy, I could have.”
“Yeah. They've got websites for that sort of thing.” Lana laughed nervously. “Not that I have any, um, personal experience with such garbage.”
“If you say so.” He shrugged. “But you've got to admit, it seems plausible. Put the pieces together: the shop's not doing so hot. You live in a crappy apartment and drive a car that's falling apart. Haven't bought yourself new clothes in years. It's easy to see why Asher would be so attractive to you.”
“Even if you're right – which you're totally not – why would he go along with such a scheme? Don't you think he's smart enough to know better?”
“Could be there's something in it for him, too. It's the most sensible explanation.” His gaze settled on my stomach. “Unless you're pregnant.”
Lana shrieked and smacked him for me. My belly churned at the possibility of being knocked up with Asher's kid. What a nightmare that would be.
“I am not pregnant, and don't ever mention that again. I swear, if you give mom the wrong idea...”
He didn't seem very sorry. “You do know how it all looks, don't you? Shotgun wedding, being planned at the last minute, with a guy you've never even bothered to bring around until the other night. What's the family going to think?”
I was more worried what they'd think after, when it was all over with. Once Asher had beaten his father and won the game, our marriage would be done too.
That was what we both agreed to. So why did it bug me so much?
“By the way,” he said with a sideways glance in my direction. “Have you heard about that Galleria mall that's being built next year? I saw the signs for it. Think it'll be a great boon for the local economy, don't you?”
My mouth was suddenly very dry. He knew what we were plotting, didn't he? He had to know. No, wait. That was silly. Unless –
“Who gives a crap about the stupid economy?” Lana snapped. “We don't need a freaking mall when it means we'll lose Curiosities in return.”
Of course, she just had to blab to Cole. I nudged her to shut her up before she spouted off anything else. Cole's eyebrow lifted; he was thinking hard about what she said.
Desperate for some distraction, I jabbed my finger at the monitor.
“There, how about that place? Grant City Unitarian Chapel. Looks perfect.”
Lucky that my brother had trouble focusing on more than one thing at a time. He seemed to forget about Lana's remark and returned his attention to the computer.
“I'll give them a call, but don't get your hopes up. It'd be nice if you gave me more advance notice than, say, a couple of weeks.”
Mom was jabbering away on the phone to some far-flung relatives I'd not seen since elementary school, making this wedding out to be the celebration of the century.
“Oh, Maryann, you have to come visit us this holiday. Sarah is getting married! ...Yes, we'll be sending out the invitations right away. I know it's sudden, but it would mean so much to her if you came.”
“She sure is getting into this,” Lana whispered.
“Well, it does make sense. She's been hounding me about finding a husband ever since I was a kid. I think she secretly hopes I am pregnant, just so she'll get that grandchild she's been pining over.”
The Santa Claus figurine on the mantle caught my eye. I pictured Asher, dressed up in that jolly red suit and beard, and I had to smile. He'd looked ridiculous, but how could I laugh? Our big event would have been ruined if not for him.
It meant more to me than words could say. I'd always thought of Asher as a selfish, lazy ass who'd rather party and screw around than act like a grown man.
Was I wrong? And if so, then what did it mean for this wedding? Because it'd be far easier to fake marriage to a man I didn't care about than one I was beginning to fall hard for...
“Hey, girl. What's with the goofy look?” Lana caught me grinning. “Y'know, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were actually kind of enjoying all this.”
“No way,” I quickly protested. “This is Asher we're talking about. Biggest player in Grant City. Why would I want anything to do with him?”
“Well, he did help us out of a serious jam the other day. And, ah, he is pretty freaking hot.”
“Lana!”
“Seems the cute ones are always the biggest jerks.”
I bristled, surprised at how jealous I was over her being attracted to him. My phone rang before I could think of a reply.
“Asher? Didn't think you'd call. Isn't Slicker Image slammed with customers right now?”
“So what? Taking a break is worth it to hear your sweet voice.”
I wished he didn't say stuff like that. Because every time he did, it only made me want him more.
“I actually do have a reason for calling.” He quieted. “Something weird is going on with my mom.”
“What?”
“Ever since I announced you and I were getting married, she's been a wreck,
