Brody sat in the driver’s seat of the nondescript, four-door sedan that looked more like a prop from a detective or FBI television show than a rental car. No one passing by glanced his way, but why would they? All strangers could see was a guy wearing sunglasses, a faded baseball cap, and an oversized hoodie. The outfit was typical bro-wear, especially with his cargo shorts. What his assistant, Ainsley, called his incognito costume, but the disguise hadn’t failed him yet. He hoped today wouldn’t be the first time.
His phone rang, but Brody ignored it for the hundredth time that day. He had no statement to make. He didn’t want to talk to his agent or his publicist again. He just wanted to do what had to be done so he and Cara could move on.
The sooner, the better.
Once this is over, we’ll…I’ll…draw the line with Caitlin. Tell her we won’t fix her problems anymore.
You’ve been coming to her rescue for years. Will you be able to tell Caitlin you’re done saving her?
I have to unless I want to spend the rest of my life at Caitlin’s beck and call. I don’t want that.
He didn’t. Not for himself or Cara.
Which meant he couldn’t screw this up, for either of them.
Brody had nailed tougher roles than playing Cara’s adoring fiancé. How hard could pretending to be engaged to her be when she’d once been his best friend, closer to him than anyone?
Except the gnawing in his gut suggested this wouldn’t be a slam dunk because he needed her help to pull this off. And though she’d agreed earlier, she’d been hesitant and worried.
Typical of Cara.
But an anxious bride-to-be wouldn’t fly.
He wasn’t sure how to help her, though.
Eyeing the entrance to Cassandra’s Attic, he tapped his thumb against the steering wheel, but that did nothing to loosen the tension knotting his insides.
Pull yourself together, Simmons.
Maybe he was the one worrying too much. For all he knew, Cara had calmed down during her morning shift. If she hadn’t, she would have even more stress to deal with, especially after she discovered her twin-sister drama was not only trending, but also the hottest news of every internet gossip website.
Cara would hate that. Unlike Caitlin who’d called him an hour ago.
My Insta followers are up ten percent. Yours, too. Everyone loves a juicy scandal.
With a churning in his gut, Brody squeezed the steering wheel. Caitlin’s excitement with her growing popularity due to being a so-called victim rubbed him the wrong way, reaffirming his need to break free.
Cara stepped out of the bookstore. As she studied the cars parked along the curb, the expression on her face was the definition of worry.
He wanted to lessen the tight lines around her mouth by telling her no one had followed him thanks to Ainsley in L.A. who posted online that Brody had been spotted at a café in North Beach. The location must have been believable because the paparazzi had disappeared faster than mice scurrying toward a cheese board.
The moment Cara recognized the car—he’d texted her a picture of it—she hurried over and slid into the passenger seat. The door slammed shut. She winced. “Sorry.”
He was the one who should be apologizing. “How was work?”
Her gaze darted around. “Quiet.”
As Brody pulled away from the curb, he had to ask. “Any trouble?”
“A grouchy customer couldn’t find the book she wanted, but other than that, no. There weren’t any reporters, photographers, or sketchy types out for a story.” She faced him. “How about you?”
“I had a few calls, but nothing that can’t wait.”
“So we survived day one.”
“At least the morning.”
She glanced at the time on the dashboard. “That’s better than I thought I’d do.”
He didn’t like the way her shoulders drooped. Maybe he could cheer her up. “Now the fun part begins.”
“Fun part?” She sounded dubious.
Not that he blamed her. “I made an appointment with the wedding place you mentioned. They’re expecting us in fifteen minutes.”
Cara sucked in a breath.
Okay, maybe this didn’t qualify as her idea of fun. “It’ll be fine.”
She rubbed her forehead. “Is planning a fake wedding necessary?”
“My publicist thinks so, if we want to make the engagement appear legit.”
She rubbed her hands together. “Guess more people pretend to be in relationships than I realized.”
She sounded resigned, not upset. That was progress. At least, he hoped so. “We’re going to make this work.”
Brody said the words for both their benefits before raising the volume on the car radio. He hit the scan button until music played.
The drive passed in silence other than the Top 40 hits playing. The quiet wasn’t uncomfortable, but that didn’t surprise him. When they were younger, Cara never felt the need to always be talking.
He parked in front of a sign that read The Bay View House. It was a picturesque wedding venue in Pacific Heights. “Ready?”
Cara bit her lip before she unbuckled her seat belt. “Let’s get this over with.”
Brody met her on the sidewalk. The blue sky provided a movie-worthy backdrop for the elegant Victorian. “You mentioned attending a wedding here.”
“A former coworker got married in a beautiful garden wedding on a gorgeous day like today. Though that was in the summer, not March.” A wistful expression formed on her face but then vanished. “She said the Bay View House offers everything a bride and groom need for their special day. Not that we’re actually getting married, but it sounds like a one-stop shop that might make things easier.”
“Easy works for me.”
“Same, but…” Cara’s complexion paled. She wrapped her arms over her stomach. “I still can’t believe we’re here. Pretending is one thing, but planning a wedding that won’t ever happen?”
Wanting to comfort her, he slid his arm around her waist. “It will be okay, babe.”
She stiffened.
He didn’t let go of her. “What?”
“You…” Her voice cracked. “You’ve never called me that.”
Brody had to think about what he’d said. “Babe?”
Her forehead creased. “It’s what you call Caitlin.”
“I never noticed.” Interesting that Cara had, but then again, she was observant, hanging back whether in a crowd or with her sister and him. “Would you rather I call you something else?”
“I don’t know.” She gave him the once-over. “I guess engaged couples use terms of endearment.”
“I could come up with something different. Baby. Honey. Sweetie. Cupcake.”
A mix of emotions crossed her face. She started to speak but then stopped herself. “Use whatever’s easy for you to remember since consistency is probably best, but it won’t matter.”
That resigned tone of hers had returned. “Why not?”
“People will see through our charade.” She blew out a breath. “Let’s be honest. Someone like you would never marry…me.”
“Hey.” His hand smoothed Cara’s hair. He hated when she put herself down. “You’re an amazing, smart, and pretty woman. Whoever you marry will be the luckiest guy in the world.”
Something flashed in her eyes. Disappointment? No, that didn’t make sense.
“Thanks,” she said finally. “A happily ever after would be nice, but I’d settle for a date with a guy who isn’t allergic to Loki or one who wouldn’t rather go out with you.”
That surprised him. “Slim pickings?”
She shrugged. “I’ve met more men since working at Cassandra’s Attic, but I’ve never been the dance-the-night-away kind of person. Book clubs and lectures are more my style. Which is why I hope Caitlin doesn’t ruin my reputation, or things could go from bad to worse. What guy will want to introduce his family to the woman who stole her twin sister’s boyfriend?”
“The right one will,” Brody said without any hesitation. “You’ll be fine. The press will be looking for a Neal twin. By the time they figure out you’re an O’Neal, this will be over.”
As she held out her left hand and crossed her fingers, her engagement ring sparkled in the sunshine. “I’m not backing out, but this ring feels like a beacon of lies for all to see and expose.”
The way she spoke reminded him of one of Caitlin’s monologues from the second film in their franchise. Probably not something he wanted to say to Cara when what she needed was support. “It may feel that way to you, but all people will see is the diamond and setting.”
Not appearing convinced, she lowered her arm. “If the Bay View House staff or others find out there isn’t going to be a wedding, what do we do then?”
“They won’t.”
“If they do?”
Brody gave her a squeeze, but given her stiff posture, the gesture didn’t seem to reassure her. He needed her to relax the way they used to when they were kids on a hot summer day eating ice cream cones and tossing water balloons in their backyards. If only they could be as carefree as they had been then. Maybe when this was over with… “We tell the truth.”
“Caitlin won’t like that.”
“Too bad.”
Cara nodded. The lines on her face didn’t appear to be as deep.
Smiling, he brushed his lips over her hair. The floral fragrance of her shampoo tickled his nose. He didn’t recognize the scent but liked it. A lot.
“Come on. They’re expecting us.” Brody let go of Cara and then laced his fingers with hers. He headed to the entrance, tugging her along. “Chin up and smile. This isn’t a death march to a bottomless fiery pit.”
Her startled gaze met his. “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”
“Because I know you.” She would likely be comparing this situation to Dante’s Inferno or some other classic he wouldn’t have read and instead relied on SparkNotes and the movie version to pass English.
Cara laughed, a sweet sound Brody hoped to hear more often today. “Once upon a time, you did.”
That stung, but he deserved it. “You haven’t changed that much.”
“I haven’t,” she admitted to his relief. “But you have.”
Regret burned, scorching a path from his brain to his feet. Brody hated that she was correct. Stardom had changed him. Pretending to date Caitlin after they’d broken up. Now doing the same with Cara. That wasn’t him. Or rather, it didn’t used to be. “Not that much. I’m still the same Brody Simmons you grew up with.”
But those parts had been buried deep inside him. Maybe being with Cara for however long this lasted would bring them out. He missed that guy.
As they approached the front door, her steps slowed. “We’re doing this.”
Her voice was stronger than he expected. If she was nervous, she was doing a good job hiding it. Definite progress and just in time.
“We are.” With a deep breath, Brody prepared to go public in his new role. He opened the front door. “After you, my love.”