Just for Kicks by Tracy Solheim

Nineteen

* * *

ANDI TOOK MERRIT’Scredit card and swiped it through the machine.

“I am so glad you introduced me to Clive.” She turned her head from side-to-side, admiring her up-do in the mirror above the salon’s reception desk. “Now I’ve just got to make sure my kids keep their sticky fingers out of it for the next four hours.”

“I’m glad you like him. Your hair looks amazing.” Andi handed her back her card. “It’s the least I could do for all your help with my accounting class.”

“I’m glad the test went well last night.” Merrit’s face softened. “But you still look stressed. Is everything okay?”

No. Everything wasn’t okay. Not by a long shot. After all her efforts to keep her heart safe and protected from her fake husband, she feared she was beginning to fall for the man. And of all the mistakes she’d made in her life, that one would be the most reckless.

These types of marriages aren’t built for love.

Agent Figueroa’s words haunted her all week. But they were exactly the wake-up call she needed. Apparently, she wasn’t exactly the big girl she claimed to be with regard to no-strings-attached sex. So, she’d have to take sex off the table. She nearly chuckled at the thought because, well, there had been a few times when they hadn’t quite made it to his bed and a table or wall had been their next best option.

“I’m just a little strung-out from the hectic week, that’s all,” she eventually responded.

Merrit gave her a knowing smile. “And missing your husband, I’ll bet. That darn fog. They got in long after you left for work this morning.” She patted Andi’s hand. “But the team has the entire weekend off, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make up for lost time. And, lucky for you, there will be no kids to interrupt, er, whatever it is you both will be doing.”

Fortunately for Andi, Clive walked up to the desk, saving her from having to answer.

“Okay. Cinderella, it’s your turn to get glamorous for the gala.” He draped an arm over her shoulders. “Behold the before, Merrit, because you will be dazzled by the after.”

“She deserves to be pampered,” Merrit commented. “Enjoy. I’ll see you tonight.”

He handed her a robe as he steered to the back of the salon. “Your throne awaits. When I get through with you, you’re going to rule this gala like the beauty queen you were born to be.”

Queen.

His word choice stoked up memories of her quirky wedding and suddenly she was having trouble swallowing. As silly as their ceremony was, Andi had made a promise. She’d signed a contract to portray Dex’s wife, but in that ridiculous wedding chapel, she’d promised to love him. She staggered slightly at the thought.

“When was the last time you ate something?” Clive demanded as he guided her into the styling chair.

Andi wasn’t hungry. She hadn’t been for days. Apparently, she was love-sick.

“This morning.” Maybe.

Abruptly he began rattling off orders to the salon staff. Peanut butter crackers and an apple appeared before her.

“Eat,” he commanded. “I’m not going through all this trouble playing Fairy Godmother to have you pass out on the red carpet.”

She dutifully nibbled at the food while he applied color and foils to her hair. An hour later, while her hair was processing, the salon’s esthetician began applying hydrating patches beneath her eyes and on her décolletage. Another woman was polishing her nails. Alone with her ping-ponging thoughts, she considered her options. How could she continue her role as Dex’s pretend wife and maintain her sanity? Especially now that she was certain she loved him.

“Andi? Is that you?”

She snapped her eyes open to find Mrs. Hilbert seated in the chair next to her.

“Hi there, Mrs. H. Were you on the books today?” She was certain the woman didn’t have an appointment.

“Not with Clive, but Amy Curl had an open slot, so I grabbed it. You’re not the only one getting dolled up for the gala.”

“Your son was able to get you a ticket?” Tickets for the fundraiser sold for a thousand dollars apiece. In spite of the exorbitant price, the event sold out months ago.

“He gave me his tickets. The silly man went to rainy Portland to visit a winery instead.” She snorted. “I’m sure his wife talked him into it. Not that I mind. Especially since Fred is a Growlers fan and he owns a tux.” She winked at Andi. “Best of all, my neighbor will be in such a snit when she sees us stepping out together.”

Andi had to laugh. “Well, that sure did work out nicely for you.”

“And for you too, deary.”

Not exactly.

She hadn’t realized she’d spoken the words out loud until Mrs. Hilbert responded. “Nonsense. You outsmarted that fool, Kenny, and you landed a sexy husband to boot.”

The manicurist and the esthetician finished and returned to the spa side of the salon. Andi lowered her voice.

“As I keep telling you, my marriage is only temporary,” she reminded the other woman. “You know that. It was your crazy idea in the first place.”

Mrs. Hilbert huffed. “It’s not so crazy if it gets the job done. Your loans are paid off and he wasn’t deported.”

“But who cares if I end up with a broken heart when it’s over!” she blurted out.

“Who says it ever has to be over?”

Andi’s frustration mounted. “The contract. There’s a firm end-date.”

“Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Mrs. Hilbert waved her hand in the air. “Those are just words on a piece of paper. They can be changed or the contract torn up. It’s what’s in here that matters most.” She tapped her chest. “And you forget, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You have the upper hand here.”

“The upper hand?”

Mrs. Hilbert shook her head. “What is wrong with young women these days? Why do you continue to believe you have to wait for a man to make the first move? You can chase after him, you know. Take advantage of his obvious desire and see where it leads. Better yet, tell him how you feel. You might be surprised. Perhaps he thinks you’re the one who wants things to end when the time comes.”

Amy walked up just then. “Mrs. Hilbert, are you sure you want me to weave fairy strands in your hair?”

“Of course, I’m sure.” The woman jumped from her seat, gesturing to her hair. “One gold strand on each side of my face. Andi can’t be the only princess at the gala, you know.” She winked at Andi again. “Oh, and I still want those extra soaps you promised me. They’ll be perfect as the ante for my Sunday night poker game. Everyone will be bidding for a bar.”

The other stylist shot Andi an amused look before leading Mrs. Hilbert away.

Was it that simple?Could her relationship with Dex outlive its contracted termination date? More importantly, did she have the guts to even try?

Clive came up behind her and peeked beneath the foils. “Oh, wow. The color came out perfectly. It’s going to really pop with the dress. Jade is going to shrivel up with jealousy.” He gave her shoulders a squeeze. “And your husband is going to be fighting his teammates off with a stick. Let’s go finish making you glam.”

Take advantage of his obvious desire. Mrs. Hilbert’s advice rang out within Andi’s ears like a call to action. Agent Figueroa didn’t know what he was talking about. And she was going to prove it.

Hours later, she arrived at the Milwaukee Art Museum accompanying Mrs. Hilbert and her charming date, Fred. Dex was likely peeved she’d left him to ride with Kane and Shaina. She’d lied and told him she needed to help with the swag bags. The truth was, she was still working up the courage to tell him how she really felt. She needed a few more minutes of alone time to convince herself to go through with it.

“Did you know, the museum was named one of the sexiest buildings in the world,” Mrs. Hilbert recited before giving Fred’s arm an amorous squeeze.

Andi didn’t doubt it. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the futuristic building with its gleaming white suspension bridge, ninety-foot vaulted glass ceiling, and operational cantilevered wings, was as much a work of art as the items displayed inside it. The museum had been the site of several fondly remembered school field trips during her youth. She especially loved the Georgia O’Keefe exhibit and the antique furniture housed there. Both reminded Andi of her grandmother.

“This way.” One of the docents escorted them to the staging area where the WAGs were putting the finishing touches on the auction items.

Laughter and the chatter of voices traveled down the hallway. Andi drew in a nervous breath. Her fingers went to the sapphire pendant dangling from her neck, the stone perfectly reflecting the colors of the jewel-toned gown Clive had somehow managed to convince his designer friend to lend her. The dress was daring without being too vulgar. The sheath design hugged her body and the wrap bodice made her appear more endowed than she actually was. Her arms were bare except for a sapphire and diamond tennis bracelet on her left arm. Andi was afraid if she unclenched her fist, the borrowed bracelet would slide off and be lost forever.

“Fred and I are going to wander around before they open the red carpet. Can you believe we get to strut our stuff in front of the media? I hope we make the nine o’clock news. The girls fall asleep before the later newscast and I don’t want anyone to miss us.”

She smiled at the older woman’s attitude. There was a lot to be said for her zest for life. Not to mention her knack for getting what she wanted. It was time Andi adopted the same boldness. Squaring her shoulders, she pushed open the door to the room where the other WAGs were assembled. It was time to put her plan into motion.

* * *

“WHAT? NO KILT tonight?”Palmer asked as soon as Dex climbed into the car.

He would have responded with something obscene, but Shaina was also in the car and he found he rather liked Palmer’s girlfriend. Her poor taste in men notwithstanding.

“Ignore him,” she said. “Kane is just jealous he doesn’t own a kilt.”

“I certainly have the legs for it,” the punter bragged. “They’re not hairy and muscle bound like Fletcher’s.”

A snarl escaped Dex’s mouth. He should have walked the ten blocks to the bloody museum. Ever since discovering Andi’s retreat to the guest room, he’d been on edge. After waking in her bed, he’d given himself a stern lecture in the shower. He wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Andi’s actions coincided with his plans. Dex just needed to convince certain parts of his body to play along.

“Hey, I know,” Palmer continued, apparently unaware that his manhood was at risk. “I’m headed to St. Andrews for the bye week to play golf with my dad. While we are there, you can take me to your favorite shop and help me pick out a kilt of my own. Maybe there’s a Palmer plaid or something. Afterwards we can go to your favorite pub and grab a pint. My dad would love that.”

Memories of the last time Dex had enjoyed a pint in his favorite pub washed over him painfully. That night had changed his life irrevocably.

“I won’t be going to Scotland.”

The statement came out more menacing than Dex intended. But he was getting tired of always having to defend his decision not to return to Scotland. His family had stopped asking years ago, but with his marriage to Andi, his mother had recommenced her haranguing about him never coming home.

And then there was Andi. She’d obviously become aware of the upcoming game in London. She’d certainly dropped enough hints the last time they spoke. Was that what prompted her little relocation? Was she miffed? As much as he would enjoy having her by his side when he saw his family in London, he wouldn’t do that to her. Or his family. This thing between them would be over soon enough. There was no reason for them to become attached to Andi and vice versa.

Ma would love her. Annis, too.

Andiwas straight-forward and unpretentious like them. She cared about the people around her. His father would fall under her spell immediately. Sucked in by her quicksilver smile and her grit. Not to mention her intelligence.

No! They could never meet. He’d already brought enough shame down on his family. He didn’t need to add to their pain. It was better they simply hate him.

In the front seat, Palmer exchanged a look with his girlfriend. Dex turned to stare out the window. The museum loomed in front of them, its exterior lit against the dusk. The wings were still open, making it appear like a bird lifting off over Lake Michigan.

He was out of the car before Palmer had time to hand the valet his keys. Andi had finally responded to his texts. She said she would be waiting in a small alcove just outside Windham Hall, the main part of the museum, so they could walk the red carpet together. She may have deserted his bed, but she wasn’t shirking her duties per their contract. He expected nothing less of his Andi.

“There he is. The man who saved our game last night.”

Mrs. Ciaciura’s voice stopped him in his tracks. As much as he wanted to find his bride, it was bad form to ignore the wife of the man who signed his paychecks.

“You look lovely tonight.” He leaned in and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

“Not as lovely as that wife of yours,” she replied. “Who, by the way, is as much of an asset to this team as you are.” She waved a finger at him. “Don’t do anything to mess that up.”

An uncomfortable sensation settled in his chest. This was the very reason he wasn’t taking Andi to London. It was going to be difficult enough explaining things to everyone who had already met her when their marriage ended.

“Speaking of Andi, have you seen her?”

The woman’s eyes twinkled. “I have. And if I were you, as soon as I found her, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.”

One of the team’s community relations’ staff appeared at her side. “Excuse me, Mrs. Ciaciura. They’re ready to line up for the red carpet. We’d like for you and your husband to lead us off.”

“Show time, Declan. Go find your wife.”

He weaved through the crowd of his teammates searching for Andi, ignoring the comments asking about his bloody kilt. People began to “ooo” and “ahh” when the brise soleil wings slowly descended, shrouding the pavilion in starlight from the lake beyond. But Dex wasn’t paying attention to all that. He’d found her, standing alone beside a suit of armor that would look at home in his grandfather’s study.

At least he thought it was his Andi.

Gone was the hair dipped in pink, replaced by a riot of waves that looked as if they were spun from pure gold. Her dress was a sight to behold, its color deepening as the light faded. Simple but stunning, the gown showed off the dainty curve of her hips. A slender leg peeked out of a thigh high slit. He let his eyes slowly travel up her body, stopping briefly on the sensuous mouth he was rapidly dying to taste. She toyed with her bottom lip and the zipper of his trousers was swiftly uncomfortable.

She was nervous. One look into her eyes and he could see her trepidation. It didn’t make sense. She’d been playing this charade for more than a month now, each day with more confidence. So what had her spooked this evening?

“Close your mouth, Fletcher, before you get drool all over the red carpet.”

Van Horn’s acerbic comment snapped Dex back into the here and now.

“Not that anyone here blames you,” Van Horn said beside him. “Your wife is stunning. And very creative.” The quarterback slapped him on the back. “Which begs the question, how did you ever talk her into marrying you?”

Dex clenched his fists.

“Trey!” Van Horn’s non-girlfriend whined. “We’re next on the red carpet.” The woman had the gall to snap her fingers.

Van Horn stiffened beside him.

“I’d say one of us is luckier than the other,” Dex drawled.

His friend sighed heavily. “And it’s definitely you, my friend. You found the rare one worth taking a leap with. Don’t leave her standing there alone, dumbass.”

Dex didn’t intend to. But when he took a step in Andi’s direction, she drew in a tremulous breath. Jaysus. Unease, heavy and unwelcome, settled in his belly. She wasn’t nervous about walking the bloody red carpet. She was nervous about being with him.

“Lass,” he whispered when he was finally in front of her.

“Hi,” she breathed, a burst of cinnamon escaping her mouth. She brought her hand over her lips. “Sorry. Fireball. Would you believe Mrs. Hilbert carries a flask in her purse?”

He would believe anything about that crazy old bat. But Dex was more concerned with his wife’s jitters.

“Something’s amiss. What is it?”

She drew in another shaky breath before reaching out and taking his hand in hers. “Not anymore.” Her lips slowly turned up into a smile, lighting up her face. “I just missed you, that’s all.”

The dread that had been building evaporated with her touch. She had missed him after all. The relief he felt should have terrified him. He didn’t want her missing him. But at this moment, he didn’t care. He just wanted her. His Andi.

He tugged her gently toward him. The heels she was wearing brought her nearly eye-to-eye with him. “I missed you, too, lass. I missed you something fierce.”

Her pupils dilated before her lips found his in an eager kiss. A groan rumbled from his chest in response. He wrapped his arms around her, letting his fingers skim over her body.

A throat cleared behind them. Andi pulled her lips away with a sigh so aggravated in its sound, Dex nearly laughed.

“Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher,” the community affairs staffer said. “But we need you on the red carpet.”

Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher.

Long ago, he’d vowed there never would be a Mrs. Fletcher. Not after the mess he’d left behind in Scotland. Not after taking everything away from Niall. Yet here he was about to parade down the red carpet with a wife on his arm. And it felt so perfect, he didn’t want dwell on the fact their marriage was a sham. Or that it would be over soon.

He brushed a quick kiss over her lips. “Later,” he promised. He wasn’t sure if he meant the promise to her or to his conscience screaming at him not to get into this relationship any deeper than he already was. Turning to her, he extended his arm. “Shall we, Mrs. Fletcher?”

She blushed gorgeously. “After you, Mr. Fletcher.” Linking her arm through his, they made their way to where the press waited in the Windhover Hall.