Little White Lies Page 5

  “If we’re going to pull this off,” Royce said, “then we’ll need to agree on some basic facts.” He looked over at her. “You know—where we met and how long we’ve known each other—that kind of stuff.”

  She nodded her head in agreement and moved on to a succulent rare roast beef with horseradish sauce. “So where did we meet, my love?” she asked. Perhaps she was going to enjoy this game after all.

  His brow lifted and he couldn’t seem to stop grinning. “Let me think of where we met and how I proposed. I’ll surprise you!”

  Oh, more surprises. “I didn’t know you were such a romantic, Royce.” Let him handle the hardballs, she would take the softballs. “Let’s say we knew each other three years. I’m not an impulsive person.”

  “This is impulsive.”

  “I know. And it is completely out of character for me.”

  “I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head. “Six months would give us a better excuse for not knowing everything about each other.”

  There was a crazy sort of logic in that nonsense. Madalyn was going to have to start thinking more like him. She nodded in agreement.

  “Let’s live at your place in Chicago,” he suggested, popping grapes into his mouth. “The closer we stick to the truth, the better.”

  “Sure,” she said. “I live in Lakeshore East. Do you know that part of Chicago?”

  That earned her another raised brow. It was a good look on him.

  “Nice view of Lake Michigan?”

  “Uh huh,” she said with a sheepish grin. “I just moved there a year ago. The views are stunning. I use public transportation to get to work. My apartment is my one splurge.” Why did she feel like she needed to justify herself?

  “Hey, no justification needed, baby,” he said, throwing his hands up in the air and winking at her. “I love our high-rise apartment overlooking Lake Michigan.”

  Madalyn giggled. He was so cool about it yet she still couldn’t believe she had agreed to do this. She pushed her empty plate aside and grabbed one of Royce’s hands, deciding to be reckless.

  “I want to elope to Las Vegas and get married at one of those little white chapels. You know, with Elvis conducting the ceremony? I’d never do that in real life. But wouldn’t it be a fun story?”

  He laughed, contemplating her idea, but shook his head. “I don’t know if I’m the Elvis type. Lying is a tricky business, Madalyn. If you stray too far from your true self, it’s difficult to be convincing.”

  Madalyn pulled back and cocked her brow at him. Damn. How often did he lie to others?

  “Not that I’m in the habit of lying often,” he clarified with a boyish grin. “I run a business, Madalyn, and I have good instincts. I can smell a bullshit story.”

  “Alright, no little white chapel with Elvis,” Madalyn conceded, sitting back and folding her arms lightly over her chest.

  “Don’t you want the big wedding? I thought that was every little girl’s dream,” he said.

  “Nope! Been there, done that,” Madalyn scoffed.

  Royce had the grace to wince. “Touché!”

  “Why? Do you want a big wedding, Royce? I don’t want to squash your little-boy dreams.”

  “It’s hard to say.” He paused, thoughtful for a moment. “I’ve never been engaged, nothing even close. I imagine I’d want to show off my bride and be with our loved ones.”

  Madalyn clung to the little revelation. Royce must be in his late thirties. Yet in all that time he had never been even close to engaged? How could that be? He was gorgeous, sexy, and had a great sense of humor—everything women love and want in a man.

  “Have you ever been in a long-term relationship?”

  It was his turn to choke on his drink. “Why does that matter?”

  “Well, if I’m going to do this, I should know if you’re husband material,” she quipped sassily.

  Royce licked his lips and tossed her a skeptical brow. “Does two years qualify as long-term?”

  Madalyn considered his question. “Were you living together?”

  He nodded and lightly crossed his arms over his chest, indulging her with this line of questioning.

  “Did she wear your t-shirts and eat food off your plate at restaurants?”

  “Of course,” he said and chuckled. Royce leaned into the table and motioned with his hands for Madalyn to bring on the heat. He was prepared to prove his worthiness as a mate.

  “Did you introduce her to your mother and allow her to drive your car?”

  “Oh, yes,” he said, “the true test of a man’s commitment to a woman. It seems, by your account, I’ve been in a long-term relationship.”

  Royce grabbed her hand and brought it to his face, rubbing it against his cheek. He brushed her knuckles softly against his lips before gazing into her eyes. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”

  The softly spoken words caressed her like a kitten nuzzling up in the crook of her neck at naptime. Madalyn felt a gentle fluttering start in her chest and travel slowly through her body, permeating all her extremities. He certainly knew how to sweep a girl off her feet.

  “Yes,” she murmured, her voice husky with desire. “You’ll do fine!”

  He leaned over to whisper in her ear, “Oh, Madalyn, I’ll do better than just fine. I plan to rock your world.”

  Her lips parted to respond. But what did one say to that? She sincerely hoped he wasn’t joking. Raw excitement exploded in her chest, sending blood coursing through her body.

  “Let’s compromise,” he said, sitting back again. “We’ll have a Las Vegas wedding at Caesar’s Palace.”

  She winked at him. “I love a man who can compromise. It’s such a rare quality.”

  He looked like he wanted to spank her on the butt and she thought perhaps she’d like to let him. Madalyn cleared her throat in an attempt to clear her mind.

  “So is this our first marriage?” she asked.

  “I’ve only ever had eyes for you, baby,” he said and leaned over to brush a chaste kiss on her lips.

  She smiled and placed her hand on his knee, stroking it gently back and forth. “Can’t wait for the honeymoon to begin.”

  “Maybe tonight,” he said, his voice rough.

  A shiver shot down her spine as her eyes dropped to his full lips. She leaned into him, hoping for a kiss, and it paid off. He had such soft lips; they were sweet from the grapes he had eaten. They felt delicious on her lips, but how would they feel grazing their way across her body? She struggled to develop any more coherent thoughts.

  He shrugged his shoulders. “Anything else?”

  “Oh, I know,” she said, a thought popping into her head. “What do we like to do for fun?”

  “Dancing?” From the smirk on his face she knew he was alluding to their evening at the disco. She recalled his hard groin pressed against her behind and felt her cheeks flush.

  “Definitely dancing,” she said, glowing from the memory. She needed some distance to cool off. Things were getting a bit too heated for a public dining room.

  “How about playing cards with friends?” she offered up as an alternative. “I used to play in a Euchre league in college. It was a riot.”

  “You’re in luck, then,” he said. “I’m a mean Euchre player!”

  Madalyn couldn’t imagine Royce being “mean” at anything, but it piqued her interest. She wondered if Susie and Liz knew how to play so she could put him to the test.

  “Do you think well on your feet?”

  She nodded. “Well, maybe I should qualify that. I can’t be sure how I’ll be impacted by the fact that we’re big, fat liars. Quite honestly, the pressure might throw me off. I never lie.”

  “Never?” he said and shot her a skeptical look. “Those are bold words.”

  “Rarely,” she revised with a smile, remembering her little white lies to Susie and Liz.

  “Then I’ll improvise the rest,” he said, standing up and winking at her. “A little white lie never hurt anyone. Right now
I’d like to go check out that awesome dessert buffet. Are you coming?”

  “Definitely,” she said, taking his offered hand. “But then I have to work out! If I keep going at this rate without exercise, I’m going to gain twenty pounds!”

  Royce pushed her in front of him and checked out her behind, “Deal.”

  Madalyn smacked him on the arm for that one, shocked by his audacity.

  “I’ll join you,” he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder for a little hug. “Maybe after that we can go to the spa for a hot stone massage. I want to be relaxed for our first appearance as husband and wife at dinner tonight.”

  “Now you’re talking!” she said. “I’ve never had a hot stone massage but I can be persuaded.”

  She was already imagining Royce on a table with nothing on except for a small white towel covering his bottom. Now there was a delicious thought!

  Chapter Five - Newlyweds

  Royce knocked on her door at precisely 8:25 P.M. His eyes followed the length of her pendant necklace, stopping just short of her cleavage ensconced in the little red dress, form-fitted to accentuate her ample chest. Ruching on the left side flattered her waist, while silver strappy sandals completed the look—simple yet elegant. She wore her hair straight, parted on the side, and pulled behind her ears.

  “You look fine tonight, baby,” he said and caressed her cheek. He gave it a little pinch as the corner of his mouth quirked up. “I love your chubby cheeks … just like Renee Zellweger. She’s a personal favorite of mine.”

  Madalyn was certain her cheeks were stained a deep shade of red from the pleasure of his simple words. She raked her gaze over him, devouring him from head to toe. His emerald eyes stood out against the long-sleeved black shirt with fine, white pin stripes. The way in which it hung loosely over black dress pants without fully concealing the curve of his round bottom was provocative.

  “Well I love this little cleft in your chin,” she said and reached up to kiss it. His heavenly fragrance washed over her, tempting her to forgo dinner and invite him into her room to begin the honeymoon he had promised. She inhaled deeply. “You smell good enough to eat.”

  He gazed into her eyes. “Maybe I’ll let you have a little taste later.”

  “Maybe I’m not interested in a little taste,” she said boldly. “Maybe I want the whole meal.”

  His chest rumbled with his deep chuckle. “Are you ready for this, Mrs. Spencer?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  • • •

  Madalyn was delighted by the festive decorations throughout the dining room marking the “Uncle Sam” celebration, from the colorful centerpieces fashioned like fireworks bursting in the air, to the red, white, and blue banners and balloons placed throughout the room.

  As they made their way toward the newlywed table, her stomach felt tied up in knots and her legs were beginning to feel like Jell-O. Her conscience wouldn’t take a rest, chiding her relentlessly. Were they really going to do this? Royce gave her hand a supportive squeeze and smiled down at her. It had an immediate calming effect.

  They were the last to arrive. “Hello,” he said to the group. “I’m Royce and this is my lovely wife, Madalyn.”

  He pulled out Madalyn’s chair before taking the seat next to her, and then reached for her hand under the table. She gave him a weak smile.

  “Hey,” said a perky blond. “I’m Jennie and this is my husband Ben. We’re from Atlanta, Georgia.”

  She fit Madalyn’s image of a Southern Belle; long blond hair, exquisite make-up, and a singsong Southern drawl. Ben appeared a bit more laid back and he carried a little extra weight in his face, but he was handsome enough with his brown, curly hair. Madalyn could imagine him in a pick-up truck with big, white wall tires. She clung to the image, letting it calm her nerves and bring a genuine smile to her face.

  A gorgeous young brunette sat to Madalyn’s right. “Jordan and Justin from Royal Oak, Michigan,” she said.

  “But everyone calls me JT,” he said with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Madalyn smiled back warmly. They were a stunning couple, their appearance in stark contrast with each other; her long dark hair and chocolate brown eyes stood out against his light brown hair and deep blue eyes. Jordan wore her hair pulled back in a fashionable ponytail. She had silky thick hair that was pin-straight, a look that Madalyn needed an hour with a flat iron to achieve. JT’s jagged layers on top and cropped sides and back gave him a rugged, just-jumped-out-of-bed look. No doubt their wedding album was spectacular.

  Royce stared at the man sitting to his left for a moment and his brow wrinkled in thought. “Are you Paul Anderson of the New England Patriots?”

  Paul flushed red and shrugged his shoulders. “Formerly of the New England Patriots. I’m retired.”

  “Right,” Royce said, smiling broadly. “You can’t hide that flaming red hair and those freckles!”

  “It gives me away every time!” Paul said, turning to his wife. “This is Andrea.” With her cute pixie-style haircut and petite figure, she was a dead ringer for a black-haired Tinkerbelle.

  JT offered to fill their wine glasses from the bottle of red wine sitting on the table, and Madalyn gladly accepted. She could always use some liquid courage.

  “Glad ya’ll could join us,” Ben said. “Got a little side-tracked yesterday?”

  Royce gave him a knowing smile and shrugged his shoulders, “Newlyweds.”

  “You two missed out on the fun last night.” Jennie pouted. “Each night we’re gonna share something about us as a couple. Ya know, somethin’ to get to know each other better.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Madalyn said, leaning into the table. “What was the topic last night?”

  “Last night we talked about how we met as couples.”

  “Give me the one minute version!” Madalyn said, genuinely interested. What woman wouldn’t love to hear about how two people met and fell in love?

  Ben beat Jennie to the punch. “I can do better than that. Here’s the five second version: Jennie and I met on the internet.”

  Jennie gasped and slapped at Ben’s hand for stealing her thunder, giving him a scathing look. She must have enjoyed telling the story herself. Southern belles and their temper tantrums! Madalyn spied Andrea discreetly place her hand over her mouth and cough, trying to hide her chuckle. It was a curious gesture that piqued Madalyn’s interest to know the rest of the story. It must be pretty good to elicit such a reaction.

  “What about you Andrea?” Madalyn asked, hoping to divert Jennie and get her off Ben’s back. The poor guy! He looked like he could use some help.

  “We’re high school sweethearts,” Andrea said. “Paul was on the football team and I was a cheerleader. One day at practice this football went whizzing by, just inches from my head, and Paul came over all concerned to make sure I was ok.” Paul looked shyly at Andrea. “Of course I found out later that he threw it at me on purpose so we could meet.” She poked her finger at his arm. “You’re lucky you didn’t knock me out.”

  Madalyn shook her head with a smile at Paul’s juvenile actions, but he had just been a high school kid so she couldn’t hold it against him. Madalyn looked expectantly over at Jordan and JT.

  “Our story is not nearly as interesting,” Jordan said, shrugging her shoulders. “JT is best friends with my brother.”

  Royce paused to think that over and disagreed. “That could be very interesting depending on how your big brother reacted to finding out his best friend had the hots for his kid sister!” Based on the blush that swept over Jordan’s face, it seemed Royce wasn’t far off the mark.

  Jennie clapped her hands and turned to Madalyn. “Now it’s your turn to tell us how you two met.”

  Madalyn smiled at Royce, “You always tell it so well, baby!”

  He gazed directly into her eyes and told her how they met for the first time.

  “I’ll never forget that hot summer day,” he began, and Madalyn could already
see the other ladies leaning into the table and sighing. She had to admit she was intrigued to hear what he had come up with.

  “I was sitting on a bench in Grant Park, eating my sandwich, and there you were, sitting on the edge of the fountain, casually throwing pennies in and making wishes.” He gave her a besotted smile with his head resting on his chin, as if recalling the moment. “You looked up and locked eyes with me, and I was a goner.”

  “O. M. G.,” Jennie gushed and then fanned her face with her perfectly manicured nails. “It’s just like that song "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepson.” She turned to Jordan and Andrea and they were nodding their heads in agreement.

  What were they talking about? Madalyn wasn’t familiar with the song.

  She nearly lost her seat when Royce started singing to her about trading his soul for a wish, and dropping pennies in a well for a kiss, and about how he wasn’t looking for this, but now she was in his way.

  Madalyn stared at him, stunned into silence; the lyrics were not lost on her. He watched her reaction intently while the girls took over with the chorus. When they finished, they were all giggling and breathless.

  “That’s the sweetest story ever!” Jennie said, closing her eyes and holding her hands crossed over her chest, hugging herself.

  Royce pulled his eyes off Madalyn and turned to Jennie. “Carly Rae is a good friend of mine. I had that song commissioned for Madalyn right after we met.”

  Jennie’s eyes popped open and all of the women stared at Royce, mouths in a wide “O,” ready to swoon by the looks of them. Tears were welling up in Jennie’s eyes.

  “Gotcha!” Royce shouted out and pointed his two index fingers at the ladies.

  The men burst out in raucous laughter, perhaps fueled by the fact that they too had fallen for his bullshit, even if just for a second. Paul was holding onto his side in pain from laughter, while tears streaked down Ben’s face. The neighboring diners leaned over, craning their necks and began giving them curious looks.

  “I can’t believe you ladies fell for that crap,” Royce said, throwing his two fists up in the air.

  Victory was his! It took a few minutes until everyone gained their composure. Madalyn was grinning from ear to ear. Royce was so sweet and funny.