Page 100 of Make-Believe Match

“It’s so exciting! Is Gran happy?”

“Yes. Everyone is, except for Tabitha.”

Winnie rolled her eyes. “What’s with her?”

“A lot of things, but mostly she wanted to sell because Gran evidently promised her a chunk of money once the sale went through. Now she’s just being weird.” I picked up a piece of prosciutto and popped it into my mouth.

“Weird how?”

“Secretive and smug. Like she knows something I don’t. It’s hard to explain.”

“What could she know?”

I lifted my shoulders. “I have no idea. Devlin’s former company, the one trying to push the sale, reached out to her, like maybe they thought she’d have influence over Gran, but nothing ever came of it.”

“And now you’re the owner, right?”

“Yes. Devlin and I own it together.”

She grinned. “I can’t wait to see it.”

“I’d love it if you and Ellie could drive up and help me brainstorm some events to bring guests in. Maybe a wine tasting? Or an opening party?”

“Of course! We’d love that!” She munched on another cracker. “Now tell me about married life.”

“Married life is...good.” I sipped my wine. “Better than I expected. Maybe too good.”

“Yeah?” Her eyebrows went up.

“Yeah.” I stared into my pinot noir. “I’m actually kind of concerned.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not really pretending anymore, Win.” I met her eyes. “I have feelings for him. Big fat feelings that aren’t just going to go away when this marriage is no longer necessary.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.” I took a deep breath and forced myself to admit the truth. “I think I might actually be in love with him.”

She gasped. “Whoa.”

“I know. It’s bad.” I tried to blink away tears. “And it’s dumb. Like, I knew what this was.”

“But you can’t control your feelings,” she argued.

“Ican’t. That’s for sure. So why didn’t I see this coming? I should have predicted it—I always fall for the ones who leave, Win. Always.”

Her blue eyes were wide with sympathy. “Have you talked to him about this? Maybe he feels the same way.”

“No.” I shook my head vehemently. “He doesn’t. I mean, I think he cares about me, but he is not interested in any kind of long-term thing. He’s made that very clear. And his last relationship imploded because his girlfriend expected him to propose when he’d been completely up front about the fact that he never intended to get married.”

“He marriedyou,” she pointed out.

“That was about business. Not feelings.” I took a shaky breath, pushing back at the sob that wanted to erupt. “He doesn’t want to settle down or plant roots. He doesn’t want a family.”

“Not ever?”

“No. I think—I think a lot of his aversion to the idea stems from losing his mom so young,” I said tentatively. “I think his coping mechanism was constant motion. Always looking ahead. Striving for things. He doesn’t allow himself to look back or even be still for too long.”