Lifting Macy’s hand, he kissed her knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hannah. I’ve heard a lot about you. And you must be Hannah’s mother.” He turned to the woman with calculation in her eyes.
“Yes, I’m Lilah.” She extended her hand for a dainty shake.
“Obviously you know all about us. But we know nothing about you. Macy, how could you spring this on your sister?”
“I was planning on sitting Hannah down and introducing them this weekend, but you’re here, and you said you were taking Hannah for the night, so I called Jaxon to come over now,” Macy explained, not missing a beat.
Lilah glanced between Macy and Jaxon, the wheels obviously turning. She was looking for any angle to help herself or figure out Macy’s plan.
“I want to go with Mom.”
Macy was unable to hide the full-body flinch her sister’s words caused.
“And you can’t stop me from taking Hannah.” Lilah pulled her daughter closer to her.
“Actually, I can prevent you from leaving. I have custody.” She glanced at Hannah, her gaze softening. “But I won’t as long as you’re home in time for dinner tomorrow.”
“But–”
“It’s called compromise,” Macy informed her sister, but Jaxon knew she was communicating with Lilah.
“Fine,” the other woman said through clenched teeth.
“Hannah, finish packing. Lilah, a word?” Macy tipped her head toward the door, and Lilah dutifully headed into the hall.
Macy shut the door behind her before either of them spoke.
“Lilah, what is it you want? Responsibility for a teenager can’t really be it.”
The other woman paused, and for a moment, Jaxon thought she was going to admit to something beyond wanting her daughter back. But he could see the minute she changed her mind and decided to continue her charade, whatever it was.
“I want my child. And I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but marrying a partying baseball player isn’t going to win you custody.”
“Oh, no? A stable family who can afford to take care of her?”
“Not to mention a safe home with two adults who have her best interests at heart,” Jaxon picked up where Macy left off. “We’ll be meeting with a lawyer and you can expect a fight.”
Ice formed in Lilah’s gaze. “A quickie courthouse wedding isn’t going to convince a judge you’re the right place for Hannah.”
Pulling Macy close, he savored her floral scent before he grinned at Lilah. “Who said anything about a quickie courthouse wedding? My bride deserves the best, and that’s what she’s going to get.”
Beside him, he felt Macy stiffen in shock. He was pretty surprised himself, but something about this woman pushed his buttons and annoyed him to the point where he was all in on this wedding and everything it entailed.
He hated to use his wealth to pull strings, but money bought anything, including the ability to throw a last-minute show that would convince a judge this wasn’t a quickie, just-for-custody marriage. With Bri’s help and a few phone calls, he could have his entire huge family and all his friends in his house by next weekend, a caterer hired, flowers delivered, and a convincing wedding would happen. It might not be as big as his brother’s last weekend, but it would have every appearance of reality and true love.
Jesus. Who was he? Go big or go home, he guessed.
“Nobody is going to doubt what we have is real.” He’d do whatever he needed to in order to get Macy custody of her sister. Not only did he owe her, she was right. Lilah was a schemer, and he didn’t like her trying to take advantage of Macy and her younger sister. The woman wanted something. What, they’d have to figure out together.
Macy rested her hands on his shoulders and leaned in close, surprising him with a kiss on his cheek before glancing at Lilah. “Watch it, Lilah. Jaxon doesn’t like to lose. And neither do I.”
With a huff, Lilah called out for Hannah, and a few minutes later, they gathered at the door, ready to go.
“Call, text, whatever,” Macy said to her sister.
The teenager rolled her eyes and they walked out the door.
* * *
Macy hadn’t realized how much she’d appreciate having someone to share the burden of Lilah with until Jaxon had stood up beside her. He’d been more supportive than she’d anticipated, and now she felt as if she had an ally. Although she worried about bringing Jaxon into Hannah’s life and having them bond only to divorce at some point in the future, her current circumstances didn’t give her a choice. She’d just have to deal with her disappointment when the time came. She’d probably be equally disappointed herself. Jaxon was a good man, and she was lucky he was willing to step into this mess with her.
“That was crazy,” Macy said to Jaxon. “You didn’t have to promise a big event just to prove a point.”
His gorgeous indigo-colored eyes met hers. “If we’re going to do this, might as well do it right. And if it helps us both get what we want out of the deal, then why not?” He grinned, looking more relaxed than she’d expect considering he didn’t want to get married any more than she did.
“Why are you so calm?” she asked, her own heart racing.
He shrugged, those muscles working beneath a white tee shirt. “Once I made the decision for a temporary marriage and realized how much it wouldn’t just help me but you, too … it felt right. I wasn’t going to let my life screw up yours.”
She nodded, but he deserved to think things through and know what he was in for. “You do realize I have a huge fight on my hands, right? And now you’re involved, too? It’s not too late to back out. I know what I’m getting out of this, but are you sure you need to take such a huge step to right past mistakes?”
He nodded. “Believe me when
