Chapter Five
The next day, Emma entered the cafeteria with Macy, anxiety quivering her stomach. It was nearly time to start the ruse. Her last shot at Stephan.
“I’m not going to stay long,” her friend said, sitting down with a smile on her face to rival a Cheshire cat. “Just long enough to meet your man. I can’t believe you found someone so fast. Damn, girl, my cousin Latisha has nothing on you. You’re a quick worker.”
She sat facing Macy and the cafeteria entrance in order to keep an eye out for Vince. Earlier that morning, she’d filled her friend in on Dom’s brother and their tentative plan. “I just got lucky.”
“Well, this location was genius.” Eagerness lit the woman’s gaze as she glanced around the room. “There’s quite a bit of staff here. Word is bound to get out. Whose idea was it?”
She brushed an imaginary crumb off the table, finding the Formica cool and reassuring to the touch. “Vince’s.”
Last night, he had insisted on walking her home. Unnecessary, but sweet. And during the one-and-a-half-minute walk to her house, they made plans to meet for lunch during Dom’s physical therapy.
“I can’t wait to meet Vince,” Macy said loud enough for everyone at the nearby tables to hear.
Emma tried not to cringe. Maybe this wasn’t the best place to meet until they discussed a game plan and rules—the very purpose of this lunch. Well, that and getting the rumor mill started.
It wasn’t like she had a ton of time. Emma just hoped they didn’t appear too awkward, considering they knew next to nothing about each other.
“I bet he’s hot. He is, isn’t he?” Grinning from ear to ear, the woman practically vibrated in her seat.
Dammit. Macy was still using her outdoor voice.
Behind her happy expression, at least, Emma hoped it appeared happy, she sent her friend a warning glare. “Yes,” she replied in a much quieter tone. “He’s tall, dark, and handsome.”
All true. Emma was determined to keep as much truth in the ruse as possible.
“That’s wonderful,” her friend said in a much quieter tone. “I hope for your sake he’s good in bed.”
She sucked in a breath. “Macy.”
“What?” The woman shrugged. “It’s hard to find a guy who is handsome and good in bed. I got lucky with my Dupree. That’s how I knew he was a keeper.”
“I’m not going to find out. It’s not like that.”
“Oh, I get it.” Macy winked. “He’s actually not handsome.”
Emma shook her head and leaned closer. “No. He is very attractive. But this is fake, remember? F.A.K.E.?”
How many times did she have to drill it into her friend’s thick head? It was Macy’s idea in the first place.
“I know. But if he was…and you two did…no one would blame you,” her friend insisted. “It’s all right to get into character…and for the character to get into you.”
Emma gasped. “Macy!”
Her crazy friend blinked. “I’m just saying, if he’s hot and you’re in the role…go for it. Ride the Lone Ranger.”
She smiled. “He’s not that kind of Ranger.”
“What kind is he?”
“The late kind.” Vince stood by the table, appearing out of nowhere.
Emma’s heart leaped. “Hey…hi.” Heat flooded her face as she scrambled to her feet, wondering if he overheard any of that conversation.
“Sorry,” he said. “It took longer than expected to get Dom out of the car and downstairs.”
An image of her stubborn neighbor flashed through her mind. She smiled. “Let me guess, he refused to use a wheelchair.”
“Correct.” A mischievous gleam entered Vince’s eyes. “Care to guess what he told me to do with it?”
She laughed. “No need. I’m sure I know.” No doubt it included several colorful words and Vince’s well-formed backside. Not that she noticed that. Yeah. Okay. Yesterday, she totally did.
The clearing of a throat drew her attention to her friend, now standing with a huge grin on her face, her curious gaze raking Vince down, then up. Worried about what might come out of the woman’s mouth, Emma made a quick introduction.
Smiling, he shook her friend’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Macy.”
Appreciation lit Macy’s face. “Likewise. You two lovebirds enjoy your lunch. I need to pick my guy up at the repair shop. His car is on the fritz again.”
Emma had no idea if any of that was true, but she went with it. “All right. See you back at the office.” The heat returned to her face when Macy gave her a fist pump of approval behind Vince’s back. Making sure he didn’t turn suddenly and see her crazy friend, Emma grabbed his arm and pulled him in the opposite direction to the food. “So, shall we get in line?”
A few minutes later, Emma sat down with him at a table off by itself in a quiet corner. She didn’t want anyone to overhear their conversation, plus it lent to the appearance of wanting to be alone.
“How long is Dom’s appointment?” she asked, wanting to keep their talk light while they ate.
“An hour,” he replied. “So this works out great.”
She nodded. “And we’re already getting curious glances.” A few people she knew were smiling at her, and several of them fanned themselves.
Even though it helped with the facade, she wished her foolish body would stop blushing. It made no sense. This wasn’t real, and yet, heat still swarmed her cheeks whenever she received a thumbs-up.
“Then I’m guessing this will help.” He reached across the table to cover her hand with his.
Her stupid blush wasn’t the only thing to increase. Her heartbeat surged, too. Blaming it on the unexpected contact, she refused to believe it had anything to do with his light, warm touch, or the delicious scrape of calluses across her skin.
Nope. Couldn’t be that.
“Yes,” she finally replied. Her voice sounded a little breathless to her ears, so she covered her confusion with a smile. “Have you done this before?”
“No.” He laughed and released her hand.
She found the act of breathing a little easier, which was odd, since it was Stephan who usually affected her pulse. For this to happen with Vince, too, caught her completely off guard.
Had to be a fluke.
She eyed the man sitting across from her, smile dimpling his face, gaze warm and open, and her breath caught again.
Shoot. What was wrong with her?
Nothing, her mind reasoned. Vince was a lean, handsome, sexy man, and it was only natural her body would take notice.
Whoa. Hold on. Since when had her body gotten involved? It was just her pulse. Her body was not taking part in this pretense. There would be no notice-taking allowed.
“I figured to make it look real, we need to act as if it is,” he said. “So, we need to say and do things any normal man and woman would do if they were interested in each other.”
Made sense.
She nodded. “And we’ll need to know a few basic things about each other as well.”
“A few basic things. Let’s see…” He tapped his finger on his stubble-ridden chin that she took no notice to at all, since it wasn’t allowed. “I’m from New Jersey. My parents still live there. I’m the oldest of two sons. A Libra. Like to take long walks on the beach at night under the moonlight. Don’t smoke. Will have an occasional beer with the guys. Would do anything for my family and friends. I’m at peace in the kitchen, and I make a mean cannoli.” He grinned. “Your turn.”
His friendly nature immediately put her at ease.
She smiled. “Okay. I’m from right here in Columbus. The only child of a widow. My mom moved to Florida to be with her sister who recently started chemo. I’m a Pisces. Love to lay out under the stars. Don’t smoke. Will also have an occasional beer with the guys, but prefer a wine cooler. Would do just about anything for chocolate. Make a mean peach pie. And I’m at peace reading on my porch swing.”
He grabbed a napkin, pulled out a pen, and started writing things down.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Making a note about the stars. Oh, and that chocolate thing, too.”
She laughed and smacked his arm. “You’re a nut.”
He smiled. “Guilty.”
The guy was such a contrast to his brother’s more serious demeanor. It was a surprise, and admittedly refreshing.
“So, I take it your outlook on life is ‘glass half full’?”
His smile widened. “More like three-quarters full.”
“Never would’ve guessed.”
“How about you?” he asked, digging into his lunch.
“Me?” She’d never given it much thought. But no one had ever accused her of being pessimistic. “Half full.”
“Well, we’ll have to work on getting that up to three-quarters,” he teased. “There may be some chocolate involved.”
Narrowing her eyes, she pointed her fork at him. “Oh, I see what you’re doing there.”
“What’s that?” His innocent gaze didn’t fool her for a second.
And darn it, it was cute.
“You’re speaking my language,” she replied.
He immediately picked up the pen and wrote on his napkin again.
Smiling, she shook her head. “Yep, you definitely got all the sense of humor in your family.”
“Dom has a sense of humor. It’s just covered in layers of sarcasm,” he said, his gaze turning serious. “I have to admit, I’m just a little curious as to why you and my brother never hooked up.”
“Me and Dom?” She raised a brow. The guy was gorgeous, but there weren’t any sparks. “Never crossed my mind. For one, he’s military, and my track record there sucks. And for another, he’s too…”
“Intense,” Vince supplied with a grin.
“Yeah. That.” She nodded. “It’s going to take a strong woman to handle your brother.”
Admiration lit his eyes. “You’re strong, and you handled him just fine last night. I quite enjoyed watching him concede to you.”
Now that was funny. She laughed. “Dom knows I won’t put up with any of his bull. He also thinks of me as family. His whole unit does. They treat me like a kid sister. My chances of getting a date plummet to negative two thousand when they’re around.”
“Warn everyone off, do they?” His lips twitched, while understanding warmed his gaze.
She sighed. “Yeah, despite my protests.”
“I’m guessing they approve of your doctor, otherwise Dom wouldn’t suggest I help you.”
“True.” She reached across the table to touch Vince’s hand. “And I really appreciate your help.”
Awareness immediately shot up her arm and fluttered her pulse. Again. Funny, the few times she’d come in contact with Stephan had never mainlined a zing to her chest. Then again, she’d never touched him outright.
Vince’s gaze narrowed, and his body stilled as if he felt it, too. Apparently, it wasn’t just all the humor this Acardi brother possessed. No. The handsome Jersey boy turned Texan held all the sparks, too.
Not good.
She drew her hand back and cleared her throat. “So, what’s our game plan?”
Other questions—personal ones—resounded in her head, but she refused to ask them. He was not her real boyfriend. Heck, he wasn’t even a candidate. He was an out-of-towner. A visitor. A military man. The guy was a pawn, a tool to help her finally land on Stephan’s radar.
“Depends.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “On what?”
“On what your doctor likes to do.”
“His name is Stephan,” she corrected, tired of everyone referring to the guy as “her doctor” when it wasn’t true. Yet. “And…I don’t know what he likes to do. I only see him at work, although, I’ve bumped into him once or twice at Antonio’s.”
The first time she’d seen him at the Italian restaurant, he’d been with his former girlfriend back when he’d just arrived, and the second time he was with a buddy sitting at the bar surrounded by a bevy of beauties.
“Ah…Antonio’s.” Vince grinned. “It’s still open?”
She nodded. “I take it you’ve been there?”
“Once or twice,” he replied. “Do you remember what day of the week he was there?”
“No. Why?”
Vince shrugged. “Just wondered if he had a pattern we could use to show up there.”
“Oh.” She shook her head. “Sorry. I don’t remember the exact day.”
“It’s all right. How about hobbies? Sports? Art? Charities? Anything he attends regularly.”
Again, she shook her head. “I honestly don’t know. I mean, I’m sure he has them, I just don’t know what they are.” Which, come to think of it, was odd. Why didn’t she know any of that? “He discussed college football with one of the other doctors once, but I don’t remember what team.”
A frown creased Vince’s brow.
“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “For someone interested in the guy, you’d think I’d know more about him. It’s just that he doesn’t really talk about those things at work, and I don’t socialize with him outside of it.”
His frown remained. “Can I ask you a question?”
Uh-oh… “S-sure.”
“Why are you interested in him? Specifically. Why him?”
It was a simple, easy question. So why was she suddenly at a loss for words? That wouldn’t do. She lifted her chin and gave it some thought. “He’s smart. Compassionate. Funny. Good-looking…a-a-and he makes my heart flutter.” That last part sent heat rushing into her face again. It was too weird discussing another man with a man who fell under the exact same description.
Vince held her gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Good enough. Then there’s only one thing to do.”
There went her heart rocking in her chest again. “What’s that?”
“I need to see him.”
She stilled. “See him? What do you mean?”
“He’s a doctor, isn’t he?” Vince lifted a shoulder. “Get me an appointment to see him.”
Emma raised both brows and blinked. “I…are you sure?”
“Yes. Of course,” he said. “It’s a no-brainer.”
And above and beyond.
“I don’t know what to say.” No one had ever done anything like that for her before. To willingly see a proctologist just to get information for her was more than she’d ever ask of him. “You really don’t need t—”
“Ah.” He waved a hand at her. “No big deal. This way I can drill the doc while he’s examining me.”
Emma’s big mistake was sipping her soda. She choked as carbonation shot down the wrong tube. He was too much. She coughed into her napkin. “You and your sense of humor.”
“What?” He half frowned, half grinned.
He was messing with her again. Using the word “drill” when he talked about a proctologist exam. The man was too funny.
“I’m not sure what I did to put that smile on your face, but I like it. You should always smile,” he said, pulling his buzzing phone from his pocket.
Because she didn’t know how to respond to the compliment, or even if she should, Emma decided to ignore it. She jabbed a thumb toward his phone, instead. “Is that the master beckoning?”
His lips twitched as he answered the text. “Yeah. The Earl of Happiness is done with therapy early and demands my presence.”
“I have to get back to work anyway.” She rose with him, and together they emptied their trays, then set them on a stack near the trash can.
That’s when one of her friends approached. “Hi, Emma.”
Quick on the uptake, Vince stepped close and slipped an arm around her waist.
“Oh, hi, Kelly.” She made a hasty introduction, and repeated it several times to various friends before she and Vince finally made it out the door and to the elevator.
He removed his hand from her waist, only to grab her hand and bring her knuckles to his lips.
She swallowed past her suddenly dried throat. “W-what’s that for? No one’s here.”
His warm, firm lips continued to brush her knuckles and steal her breath. “True, but there are several women watching us down the hall.”
“Ah.” Now she heard the snickers and sighs, and did some sighing of her own once they entered the vacant elevator and the doors closed. Gently tugging her hand free, she moved a few feet away and found the act of breathing much easier. “Well, that should get the gossip mill going. Thanks.”
He leaned against the far wall, arms folded across his chest. Sexy grin dimpling his face. “My pleasure.”
Hers, too.
No. She lifted her chin and exhaled slowly. She could handle it. Her stupid deprived body was just thirsty for the attention. No big deal.
It would just have to wait for Stephan.
Then her mom would be happy. She would be happy. Everyone would be freaking happy. Because the alternative wasn’t an option. She wouldn’t even consider it.
The elevator stopped on her floor.
“Don’t forget to make that appointment for me,” Vince said, pushing away from the wall to step to her side. “We don’t have a big timeline.”
She nodded. “I’ll stop by tonight to let you know how I made out.”
Normally, it was tough to get one on short notice, but she was friends with all the girls in the office. Hopefully there would be a cancellation and they could pencil him in that week.
“Why don’t you come over for dinner?” His grin was easy and light, nothing suggestive at all about it.
But still, she shook her head. “Sorry. I’m already doing something with Macy,” she lied and stepped off the elevator.
He was too nice. Too handsome. Too kind.
No. Overexposure to the sweet man was dangerous with a capital D. He confused her. Muddled her brain. Her survival sense kicked in. He was prior military, which was a big negatory. She needed to stay the course and keep her distance whenever possible.