Faking It with my Billionaire Grump

19. Tilly

19

Tilly

Okay, so maybe I am a little bit paranoid. And maybe I should have trusted Jake when he told me that the town hasn’t held a grudge for all these years. I mean, if his closest friends have forgiven me, I can only assume that just about everyone else has done the same.

The barn is heaving with people, and all I’ve seen so far are knowing smiles and nods of acknowledgment. Besides, Chris, Phil, and Joey always did make me laugh.

When we get to the dancefloor, though, I can feel eyes on us. Maybe it’s just because what we’re doing is such a novelty for a small town. Well, realistically, it would be a novelty anywhere, right? I mean, how many people pretend to get married to get rid of an ex?

“Relax, Tilly,” Jake says, clearly picking up the vibes I’m giving out.

He’s pulled me in close, and we’re twirling around on the floorboards beneath us. We’re not alone. The dance floor is packed with people.

“Easier said than done,” I reply. I have to speak a little louder to make myself heard over the music.

“I don’t know what else I have to do to convince you. You want me to get up on that stage and get everyone to vote?”

“Don’t you dare!” I hiss.

He’s smirking down at me, and I laugh. As the music continues, I feel myself relaxing. But I feel more than that. With Jake’s arms around me and the soft scent emanating from just beneath his shirt, I feel something else entirely.

In fact, this moment could easily be a snapshot of our years together before I left. The years I was madly in love with him and wanted nothing and no one else. The years we spent laughing, and joking, and messing around. The years I threw away because I thought I wanted something else.

What an idiot!

All this time, I could have been living my happiest life here. But would I have appreciated it as much as I do now if I’d never left? Would I have pined for a different life, having never experienced anything outside of Baskington?

I can’t answer those questions, and now, I suppose I’ll never know. All I do know is that right now, in this moment, being held in my fake husband’s arms, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.

A little later, when we’re back with a beer in hand, Mel and Greg wander over with their three children. As usual, Thomas is sitting comfortably on Mel’s hip.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” Greg says with a knowing smile while at the same time throwing a hand out to Jake.

Mel and I share a grin while the men shake, and the four of us talk. Greg to Jake and me to Mel.

“How’s things?” she asks. “Is there any word?”

I know what she means without her having to elaborate.

“The last I heard, he’s back in the city for a meeting, but his text made it clear that he hasn’t given up.”

Mel frowns. “Did he say anything about the fake marriage?”

I shake my head. “No. But he’s bound to have heard. Jake tells me the whole town is in on it.”

“Oh, they are,” Mel confirms. “I was talking to Kitty this morning at the bakery. Everyone knows, and they all know to make mention of it if they see him.”

I shrug. “Well, that’s all we can do, then.”

Mel turns a little so her back is to Greg and Jake. “And what about your other situation?” she says with her voice lowered.

“It’s fine. We’re getting along fine.”

“And?” she presses, giving me a knowing smirk.

I’m not sure how to answer that. Not because I don’t know what she’s asking. We’ve been friends forever, and we both know how the other thinks. The thing is, I don’t know how to describe the dynamic between me and Jake. It seems like we’re in some sort of limbo. More than friends, but not quite girlfriend/boyfriend, either.

“There have been some moments,” I say, matching her low tone.

Mel looks excited. “Really?”

“Shh,” I say, glaring at her intently.

The last thing I need is Jake thinking I’m making any moves on him. I have enough going on. Besides, I don’t want to ruin what we do have. He’s gone out of his way to help me when he didn’t need to. In fact, after what I did to him, I’m still surprised that he has. There aren’t many men out there that would.

“He still loves you, you know,” Mel replies.

My eyes widen at her words, and then I frown at her. “You cannot know that.”

“Sure, I can. I have eyes in my head. I watched you guys dancing earlier, and I’m telling you, he still loves you.”

I shake my head. “I think you’re seeing what you want to see, Mel. He’s just helping me out. That’s all.”

Greg turns and brings us into their conversation then, and our private discussion is over. The four of us continue to talk for a little while longer until Jake turns toward an announcement on the stage.

Billy Shipton, Baskington’s resident band leader, addresses the crowd. “And now, guys and gals, it’s time for our annual hoedown showdown. We need all the gals on the left and all the guys on the right. Let’s see who can win the trophy this year.”

I shouldn’t be surprised. This competition between the men and the women has been going on since before I was born. It’s a long-held tradition, and I smile as I watch the excited townsfolk head to the dancefloor.

“Are you coming?” Jake says, holding out his hand.

“You want me to…?”

“You did it every year you were here,” he replies.

“Go on,” Mel encourages. “You have to go.”

Greg is nodding alongside his wife, and then I take Jake’s hand and let him lead me to the dancefloor.

“And look, we have our newlyweds here to join us,” Billy announces from the stage.

A great whoop goes up from the crowd, and my face blazes bright red. I throw a playful scowl up at Billy, who grins and gives me a huge wink.

Mom and Dad arrive on the dancefloor, and with a broad smile, Mom stands beside me. When we’re all in our positions, the music begins, and then the dancing starts. Of course, it’s “Cotton-Eyed Joe.” It has been for as long as I can remember, and when Billy counts in the beat, the whole barn comes alive.

The music is loud and fast, and with the thumping of everyone’s feet on the barn floor, the atmosphere is electric, with whooping and hollering as we go. We all move in time, like we’ve practiced this dance a thousand times, and I suppose, in a way, we have.

Joy rushes through me as memories of doing this year after year pulse through me, and in this very second, I’ve never felt more at home since I arrived back. This is the town I loved for so long. These are the people I grew up with. The people who would do anything for each other. The people who have known each other all their lives.

This is my home.

Later, when I breathlessly go to grab a drink, I meet a small group of women on my travels. They’re all smiling at me, and with their comments, they only reinforce my earlier thoughts.

“It’s so good to see you home, Tilly.”

“You and Jake always did make a wonderful couple.”

“Who knows?” Another of them smiles broadly. “Maybe you can make a go of it again.”

After thanking them, I make my way to the bar and order a couple of beers, and while I’m waiting, Jake arrives at my side.

“You haven’t lost it,” he says, grinning down at me.

“I think I could do that dance in my sleep,” I laugh.

The beers arrive, and I take a long draw. I’m super thirsty after that dance. But even as I’m halfway down the pint, I don’t stop. With a gasping breath, I slam the empty glass on the bar.

Jake is staring at me with wide eyes, and then we burst out laughing.

“I need the little girl’s room,” I announce. “I’ll be right back.

The bathrooms are in a separate building outside, and positioning myself in the line, I get into a conversation with the other women waiting. Once again, my fears are allayed as I notice that, just like before, not one of them has a judgmental thing to say to me. All my worries of the town hating me were creations of my own imagination.

I’m heading back to the barn when I feel someone grabbing my arm. Spinning around, my eyes fly wide as I come face to face with Bryan.

“We need to talk,” he scowls, his fingers digging into my arm.

“Get off me,” I bark, pulling my arm away. “I have nothing to say to you. What are you even doing here? This is for townsfolk, not for outsiders.”

“It’s where I knew I’d find you,” he snarls.

“For heaven’s sake, Bryan. Why don’t you just go back to the city? I don’t love you, and I don’t want you here. In fact, I don’t want you, period.”

“I told you before, I’m not leaving this town without you.”

“I’m married,” I cry, lifting up my left hand. “There’s no chance—”

“What’s going on here?” I hear Jake’s deep voice behind me.

A second later, he’s taken a protective step in front of me. A wall between me and Bryan.

“This is none of your darned business,” Bryan spits. “Take your hick self out of the way so the adults can speak.”

But Jake doesn’t move a muscle, and evidently frustrated, Bryan launches toward him and tries to throw a punch. Jake ducks and avoids it easily, and with a long arm, he gives Bryan a hefty shove. Bryan stumbles backward and ends up on the ground, which only makes him angrier.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he rages, hurriedly pushing himself up.

Shaking with anger, he comes back at Jake, but Jake takes a step back.

“I’m not going to fight you, Bryan.”

“Why? Are you a coward? Are you too afraid I’ll—”

Before I know what’s happening, Jake has spun on his heel, and grabbing me at the waist, his lips plunge down to mine. I’m utterly astonished, but that feeling immediately disappears as I melt into his arms. My heart thumps, my stomach does somersaults, and, hardly noticing Bryan’s sudden silence, I slip my arms around Jake’s neck and tenderly kiss him back.

My body comes alive and I feel every sensation. His muscular frame pressing against mine, his soft, sweet lips, his fingers against my rib cage. And then I don’t feel any of it. All the noise around us disappears, and I feel like I’m floating blissfully in some faraway place.

Eventually, he pulls away and gazes down at me, his soft eyes full of everything I used to see when we were together: desire, love, adoration. And then he blinks, and it’s gone, making me wonder if I might have imagined it.

When he turns back to Bryan, Jake’s about to speak when Chris, Phil, and Joey arrive. They wrap their arms around Bryan, jovially telling him that he’s missing the party, all of them talking over each other.

Bryan doesn’t fight them when they pull him away. With his jaw still hanging open, he gives me one long look and then lets the guys hustle him into the barn.