Page 74 of Bad Run

No.

“Sure,” I answer.

She’s going to give me her two cents anyway.

“Marry him. Get the promotion you deserve. Be an utter badass at said job and make your dad eat crow for not changing the rules for you. And while you’re married to the man you’ve had the biggest crush on, get to know him. Ride his baseball bat as much as you can, and if it works out, awesome. If not, at least you got some good sex and the job you’ve always dreamed of out of it.”

I wonder what she’d say if she knew I banned sex from my fake marriage. That aside, can I really do this? Marry Lance and lie to my family? To everyone?

Well, not everyone. Our closest friends will know the truth.

A loud knock on the door startles me.

“Shit. Someone’s here. What do I do?”

Jenna chuckles. “Answer the door. Then go marry your baseball player and call me later. You can do this, G.” She disconnects the call before I can object.

I chuck my phone back into my purse and smooth my curls back, then walk to the door and look through the peephole.

Talia, Savannah, and Grace are standing outside the door, with bags in their hands and wide grins on their faces.

Some of the crippling anxiety I’ve been clinging to disappears as I open the door. “Hey, what are you ladies doing up here?”

“Your fiancé sent us up here with some presents,” Talia says.

She’s a tiny little thing, with black hair, silver-gray eyes, and the kindest soul. Her presence puts me at ease instantly. I’m not super close to Talia, but we got to know one another better when I helped her and Cam organize an Evaders meet-and-greet at the children’s hospital where she works. Watching her and Cam together would turn even the blackest of hearts red.

“We’ve brought gifts,” Savannah says, holding up a white garment bag.

I’ve only just met Nico’s girlfriend, Savannah, who is also Talia’s boss, but she gives off major cool–boss-babe vibes. It also helps that she’s stunning. She’s five-six like me, has wavy brown hair, amber eyes, and golden sun-kissed skin.

“And champagne,” Grace says.

Of all the wives and girlfriends I’ve met while working at the Evaders, Grace is the sweetest and most genuine one in the group. She teaches kindergarten and could make friends with anyone; she’s that friendly. She’s tall, with straight blonde hair and blue eyes. The quintessential California girl next door.

I open the door wider, inviting them inside. Savannah opens the closet door and hangs the garment bags on the hook before joining me, Talia, and Grace in the small kitchen.

“Lance really sent you?” I ask. How did he have time? He left the suite not too long ago.

“Of course. He wants you to have everything you need.” Grace places her hand on my forearms and gives them a reassuring squeeze.

Talia ambles toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. “I thought the room Cam and I are in was amazing, but damn, this suite is insane. The view alone is worth every penny.”

The hotel Lance booked is ridiculously expensive. I can’t help but wonder why he’s spending so much money for one night. Tomorrow, I’m headed home, and he’s headed to Arizona with the guys.

“Let’s pop this baby,” Grace shouts, holding up two bottles of expensive champagne, chasing my thoughts away.

“Please,” I agree.

Maybe a little alcohol will help loosen me up and stop my brain from overthinking. I rummage through the cabinets until I find the flutes and place four on the counter. Grace rips off the gold wrapping and pops the cork, then fills them to the brim.

Talia grabs a glass and raises it into the air. “To Lance and Gwen.”

We toast, but the icky feeling in my stomach makes it flip.

With shaky hands, I place my glass on the table. “You all heard the full story. Lance is only doing this to help me. It’s not a real marriage,” I repeat.

“Girl, no man would put all this together for nothing.” Grace winks at me and takes a sip of her champagne.