Page 126 of Fake it for Keeps

“I’m glad you came around,” I said to Frankie as we headed back toward the house. “About Hallie, I mean.”

She was quiet for a moment. “I’m still processing everything. The lies, the original plan, all of it.” She paused. “But when you called me that morning, after you’d been on the phone with Hallie at four in the morning, and you told me what happened—how she stayed on the line with you, how she didn’t push, how she just… was there—I realized something.”

“What?”

“That she loves you. You. Not the idea of you or your money or your status. Just stupid old messy you. The broken, complicated, occasionally infuriating you.” Frankie bumped her shoulder against mine. “And anyone who loves you that much deserves a second chance.”

My throat tightened. “Thanks, Frankie.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m still going to be watching her like a hawk for the first year of your marriage.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

We went inside the house, and I was struck again by how much work needed to be done. The place really was falling apart. But it had good bones. And with Hallie’s vision and my resources, we’d make it beautiful again.

We’d already talked about how we’d split our time between Manhattan and here, how we’d restore the house together, room by room, making it ours while keeping all the parts that mattered to her.

It was going to be our project. Our home.

I headed upstairs to the small bedroom that had been set up as my prep space. My tux hung on the door, freshly pressed. Everything I needed was laid out and ready.

I got dressed methodically, then adjusted my bow tie in the mirror, trying not to let jitters spook me too much. My path was clear. I was getting married. To Hallie. The woman who taught me to love again.

She had suggested a pre-nup, in case there were any lingering doubts about her motives for marrying me, but I declined. She was it for me. There were no other options. If she left me, she could take all my money.

I wouldn’t care. It would be losing her that did me in. The thought still felt surreal.

Me. Married. A husband.

No one was going to believe we actually got married. Not that I cared what anyone thought. It was all about me and Hallie. We knew what was real.

Downstairs, I heard voices as guests started arriving, a few of my close friends and business associates who’d been able to make it on short notice. The Valenteen board members had been uninvited. This wasn’t about business anymore.

“Knock, knock.” Frankie’s voice on the other side of the door got my attention.

“Come in.”

She walked in and held up a bottle of whiskey and two plastic cups. “Thought you might want to calm the jitters.”

“I don’t have jitters. Mostly.”

My sister smiled. “Well, I do. Drink with me.”

I laughed and watched as she poured some of the whiskey into the plastic glasses.

“To your wedding,” she said, raising her glass.

“To new beginnings,” I added.

We clunked glasses and drank.

“Mom and Dad would have loved to be here,” Frankie said softly. “They would have been so happy for you.”

I thought about my parents. About my father’s stern face and my mother’s warm smile. About how they’d loved each other through everything, through illness and loss and the daily grind of building a life together.

“Dad would have given me shit for doing this so impulsively,” I said.

“Probably. But Mom would have loved Hallie. She always wanted you to find someone who made you laugh.”

“Hallie does, yeah.” I smiled thinking about her. “She also drives me crazy, puts me in my place, and makes me want to be better.”

“That’s how you know it’s real.” Frankie set down her glass. “I’m happy for you, Colt. And I’m sorry for how I reacted when I found out about the revenge plot. I should have given you both a chance to explain.”

“You were protecting me. I get it.” I put my arm around her shoulders. “You’ve been protecting me since Lauren died. But Frankie? I don’t need protecting anymore. I need this. I need Hallie. I know better than anyone that love is a risk. No more being scared.”

“Good.” She leaned her head against my shoulder. “Just promise me you’ll be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”

“I promise.”

We stood there for a moment. I felt grateful for her. For everything she’d done for me over the years. For being there when I fell apart. For helping me put the pieces back together. Things were changing. Hallie would be my rock now. I understood that it was going to be an adjustment for Frankie, but I also hoped it meant she could worry less about me and have her own life.

“I can’t wait to start off on a better foot with Hallie,” Frankie said. “We need a do-over. I was so awful to her.”

“She understands. And honestly? You’re going to fall for her just like I did.” I squeezed Frankie’s shoulder. “She’s impossible not to love.” I paused. “Just don’t stand her up on a beach date. She really doesn’t like it.”