Faking It This Christmas, page 1
FAKING IT THIS CHRISTMAS
A Holiday Romance
Kristen Echo
Faking It This Christmas
Copyright © 2018 by Kristen Echo and Kristen Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book or publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Website: http://www.echoromance.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorkristenecho/
eBook ISBN:978-1-7753433-4-9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
EPILOGUE
AUTHOR NOTE
SNEAK PEEK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER ONE
A sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. The phone rang for the fourth time, which was unusual given my sister was always glued to her phone. She went nowhere without her beloved device. Another ring and still no answer. This was our weekly check in time. I glanced at my watch as I waited for her voicemail to kick in.
“Hi Noelle. Sorry,” Cassie answered, sounding winded.
I stared out my second floor window, picturing my pregnant sister dashing through the snow. We had no snow in the city, but the mountains had plenty. It was only days before Christmas. “Why are you out of breath?”
“I’m not. Oh well, maybe a little,” she admitted. “I must have lost track of time. Darren was… um… tickling me.”
I smiled. Then a pang of jealousy gripped my heart. My sister was married to my high school sweetheart. They were sickeningly cute together. I didn’t envy her relationship with Darren. We hadn’t worked out because we wanted totally different things. I’d been relieved when they started dating because people finally stopped asking when I would get back together with him.
Darren was perfect for my sister. They fit in ways we never had. I didn’t want him, but sometimes hearing her happiness radiate through the phone made me wish I had someone special too. Not that I’d ever admit it to her or anyone else. As far as they knew, I was in a relationship. My little white lie wasn’t hurting anyone. In fact, it made visiting my hometown so much easier for everyone.
“So, that’s what you’re calling it these days,” I joked. “I’m almost certain you didn’t get knocked up from being tickled. Next time, don’t answer the phone while you two are getting busy.”
She laughed, but it sounded off. Something wasn’t right. My sister had one of those laughs that was expressive, loud and contagious. This sounded forced.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
A sigh and a sniffle followed. “It’s nothing. I mean it’s something, but we can talk about it when you come at the end of the week.”
An entire week of worrying would drive me insane. “Tell me now,” I demanded. My over active imagination conjured all sorts of doomsday disasters. I paced my living room, making short work of the long room.
“I… can’t,” she said between sniffles. “That’s why he was tickling me. I can’t stop crying.”
My heart jumped into my throat. “Is it the baby? Is everything all right with you?”
“The baby is fine,” she wailed.
“Hey Noelle,” Darren said. His baritone voice boomed through the line, scaring the crap out of me.
“What’s going on?” I clutched my chest, trying to keep my heart from leaping out.
“It’s your Grams. The girls just came back from a consult with her doctors and it wasn’t good news. She’s got pneumonia. It’s bad.”
“How bad?”
He sighed. “She refused treatment for a long time. They mentioned a blood infection. The doctors suggested without proper care it could be fatal…”
The blood rushed to my head and his words faded. Her last set of scans had been clean. She was healthy.
Grams was one of my favorite people on the planet. We called her Grams even though she wasn’t technically family. Millicent had lived next door to my mom and helped raise us. The woman was a firecracker and had more energy than a pack of wolf pups. She’d battled cancer twice and won. A bacterial infection was nothing.
“I saw her this summer at your wedding and she danced the night away. I’ve never seen the spitfire so happy. Pneumonia’s not that big of a deal. Right?”
“I hate to break this to you, but she’s really sick. I’m not saying she’s dying, but—”
“Isn’t this one step above the common cold,” I interrupted. “She’s larger than life. She’ll fight this.”
“It’s way more serious than that,” he countered.
In the background, I heard my sister crying. Her tears gutted me. For her to be taking it this hard, it had to be serious. Not being there to ease her pain had me choking up. And I never cried. Not at our father’s funeral. Not when Darren broke up with me or when he married my sister. Never.
“Give Cassie a big hug for me. I have to call mom,” I added after a long exhale. “Thanks for telling me. I love you guys.”
“I’m sorry, and we love you too. Good luck with Fiona,” he said and hung up.
Lately, my mother and I were like oil and water. I was not looking forward to my next call. I pulled my recliner next to the window and sank into the worn, brown leather. Outside, the rain dripped from the gray sky. Large puddles of water had formed on the sidewalks. I wished it was snow instead of rain. I turned from the window. In the corner of my apartment stood my six-foot-tall fake Christmas tree fully decorated with memories. Each ornament told a story and, despite the gaudy blue color, I loved it. It was far too big for my space, but it had been a gift from Grams. When I moved away, we hadn’t been in the best place. This was her way of mending our relationship.
She couldn’t die. I wasn’t ready.
My grip tightened on my phone as I dialed my mother’s number. My blood pressure reached the boiling point because she hadn’t bothered to call me with the news herself. No one had even told me she was under the weather. I couldn’t be mad at Grams because she hated when people fussed over her. Plus, we barely spoke anymore. A lump formed in my throat. I should have been at the doctor appointment, holding her hand.
“Hello,” Fiona answered after the first ring. “I assume you’ve spoken with your sister.”
“I have, and I’m pissed you didn’t call me right after you found out. What the hell, mom?”
“Don’t talk like that,” she admonished. “I’m sure you’re hurting. We all are but be respectful. I raised you better than that.”
Grams raised me; I thought but held my tongue. As a single parent, my mother had done her best. My father had passed away when I was four, forcing my mother to work two, sometimes three, jobs to pay the bills and put food on the table. I admired her work ethic, but she was hardly around. We weren’t close.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. Please tell me what’s going on.”
“Millie’s appetite is gone, and she’s getting weaker every day. The doctors ran some tests and confirmed it is double pneumonia. It’s touch and go right now. They’re pumping her full of meds. The lady has more sass than your average teenager, but this had knocked her down.”
“I’ll catch the next flight.” I couldn’t imagine not seeing Grams before she left this world. She needed to know I loved her and appreciated everything she did for me.
My small town wasn’t the easiest to reach. From where I lived, it entailed a flight and a few hours’ drive through the mountains. I hated that drive during the winter, but I’d been doing it once a year for the past five years since I’d left.
“Don’t even think of coming home alone,” she said. “You’ll need Barker with you.”
Shit. My best friend, a.k.a. fake boyfriend, was heading out of the country for the holidays. Moreover, his new girlfriend wasn’t thrilled about our arrangement. A fake breakup had been planned for after Christmas. I guess it got bumped up.
“I’ll be alone. Barker and I broke up.” I winced, waiting for the barrage of questions and pity.
“Oh no. You’ve been together for a few years. We were sure an engagement was on the horizon. Maybe a ring under the tree.” She cleared her throat. “Are you okay? When did this happen? Are you still going to be able to write together?”
The questions kept coming as expected. “It’s been awhile, but I didn’t want to say anything until after the holidays. I’m fine and we’re still friends. He’s my business partner and co-writer. Nothing has changed. We’re just not a couple anymore.”
It felt liberating to finally be honest. Barker and I had never dated and never would.
“Pffft,” my mother harrumphed. “Grams wants to see you girls settled and happily married. We both want that. Your sister got married this past summer. Now, it’s your turn to step up. We’ve been waiting long enough. Is this because of Darren? Noelle, you need to move on. You are almost thirty.”
My teeth gnashed together. “I’m well aware of my age.” Twenty-eight wasn’t thirty. “And this has nothing to do with him.”
That broken heart had mended a long time ago. Had he not asked for space, I never would have moved to the coast and started writing. I never would have met Barker and written a book that hit the bestseller list for over a month. Everything had worked out for the best and I had no regrets.
“Why can’t you keep a man? You know this news will devastate her. She still feels guilty.”
The insult landed a direct hit, winding me. I hated the pity projected from miles away. I also hated the thought of hurting Grams. My failed relationship wasn’t her fault. She’d suggested I move to broaden my horizons after the breakup. I took her advice. It was my choice. Cassie and Darren had bonded in my absence. I didn’t blame her for giving their relationship her approval, but she apologized all the time for playing matchmaker.
“Don’t be too upset. I’m… not single,” I said, instantly regretting the words.
“Oh. Well please bring your new man. If things take a bad turn, you’ll be glad he’s by your side.”
“I… he wouldn’t be able to come because… um… he’s with family,” I stuttered.
“It would make Grams happy,” she said. “She could be dying, Noelle. She wants to see you happy and in love.”
Lying to Grams about my love life or lack thereof had never felt right, but it would be even worse to fix it on her death bed. Making her smile was all that mattered.
“He has commitments. I—”
“Given the circumstances, I’m sure he can re-arrange his schedule. Please don’t walk through those doors unless you’ve got that man with you. And Noelle, you'd better make it home for Christmas.” She hung up.
Her expectations were unreasonable. I slapped my forehead and winced. Why had I started faking love instead of trying to find the real thing?
Dropping my head between my legs, I breathed in and out slowly. That’s how Barker found me over an hour later when he let himself into my apartment.
“You having a panic attack or trying some new yoga move?” he asked, sinking to his knees beside me.
“Grams might be dying,” I spat, after a minute of letting him rub my back.
“Damn. I’m sorry, Noelle. Are you okay?” He continued to provide a soothing touch.
“I’m the opposite of okay. I have to go home earlier than expected. My favorite person in the world is going to die unhappy because of me. Because you can’t come with me to be my fake boyfriend.”
“Whoa. Don’t pin that on me.” Barker removed his hand and stepped away.
I sat back and stared at my best friend and business partner. Barker had big green eyes and a mane of tamed, perfectly styled blond hair. He loosened the collar of his dress shirt. He was attractive in a polished and refined, business man way. I wasn’t attracted to men in suits. “I hate being single,” I whined.
“You love being single.” He raised both eyebrows as he stood. “I’ve never met anyone who loves her freedom more.”
He had a point. I loved being able to focus on my writing and not answer to anyone’s demands for my time. Darren had wanted a woman joined at his hip and I couldn’t give him what he wanted. Dating sucked. I didn’t enjoy playing the field or playing hard to get. Mind games weren’t for me. I was exhausted of meeting nothing but duds.
“Can you please cancel Bali? Lola will understand.” I put my hands together in mock prayer and batted my lashes.
Barker seemed immune to even my best attempts at charm. That’s why we were friends, co-authors and nothing more. He planned to attend a sci-fi authors’ conference next week and then stay for another week on vacation with his girlfriend. He’d been looking forward to it for months. I hated asking him to cancel, but I was selfish. I needed him.
“No, she wouldn’t understand. And no, I won’t cancel.”
I stuck out my tongue. “You suck. I’m revoking your best friend status.”
“Idle threats won’t work since I’m pretty sure I’m your only friend.” He returned the immature gesture and stepped away.
“You’re right, but I’m serious. I need help,” I droned.
“Fine.” He rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “I have an old college buddy flying in from Italy tomorrow morning. He owes me a favor. I’ll bet it wouldn’t take much to convince him to accompany you.”
“Really?” I leapt from the chair into Barkers arms. “You’re the best!”
He laughed and set me down. “Sure. He moved away before I collected his debt and this will be a fitting repayment. Keep in mind if I ask him, you’ll owe me one.”
The last time I owed Barker anything, he’d forced me to read the alien orgy sex scene at one of our book signings. I had been mortified and blushed through three pages of explicit text. I cringed at the memory.
“Wait. Why would your friend go through with this? What’s wrong with him?”
A deep, throaty chuckle followed. “Nothing is wrong with him. Stefano is a big believer in destiny and cosmic fate bullshit. He’s recently single, which is why he’s visiting. A clean break as he put it. Only it’s bad timing since I’m heading out in a few days. Anyway, he set me up with his sister once because he felt our paths were meant to be connected. Believe me; he owes me big time.”
I wasn’t a believer in fate and heavenly interventions. Miracles didn’t exist. If they did, my Grams would never get sick. And I wouldn’t be alone.
“So, what happened? Why does he owe you this favor?”
“His very crazy, very love hungry, kinky as fuck, much older sister was a nightmare to shake. Pay back is a bitch.” He clapped his hands, laughing at his own joke.
If he thought she was kinky, she must have been into some wild stuff. Barker was no slouch when it came to sexual experimentation. “Oh man. Do I even want to meet this guy? He’s probably just like his sister. So, thanks but no thanks.” I shook my head.
Barker adjusted his wire glasses and pulled his phone from his pocket. “You could use a little kink in your life. Might help your prose. I don’t mind writing all the sex scenes, but it wouldn’t kill ya to add a line or two.”
I narrowed my eyes and slapped his arm. Barker had no filter and no boundaries. “Do not show me porn again. I swear to—”
“Relax, vanilla bean, I’m not trolling porn sites. I already know how prudish you are, which is why setting you up with Stef is brilliant. He’ll bring you out of your shell.”
I yanked the phone from his hand. I pictured a dark-haired businessman with a crooked smile and glasses. An Italian version of Barker. “I don’t live in a shell. We’ve known each other for four years and I’ve never heard of him. Show me his picture. This fake relationship has to be believable.”
We scrolled through his photos but came up empty. “Here’s his website,” he said.
Stefano Ricci was a Naturopathic Doctor. According to the site, he owned a chain of organic supplement stores. While I found alternative medicine interesting and his chosen profession was kind of cool, I schooled my features. Any interest from me would fuel Barker’s ego. I kept my face blank as I searched through the site.
The only picture of Stefano was grainy and taken from a distance. It was clear that he had a decent build and dark hair. Unfortunately, it was impossible to tell whether or not he was attractive. I guess it didn’t matter that much. As long as he could hold a conversation and convince my family we were a couple, I could survive a week with him.
“I suppose he’ll do,” I said, handing Barker back the phone.
“The ladies seem to like Stefano. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen him, but he never used to have a hard time with women. If you catch my drift?”
A player. Great. Just what I needed. “You’re fixing me up with a womanizer?”
“I never said that. Plus, what choice have you got?”
None. Disappointing a dying woman wouldn’t happen if I could help it.
“Tell him to meet me at the airport tomorrow night. I’ll book his flight.”
CHAPTER TWO
A s I waited at the ticket counter with my bag in my hand, I stared at the big clock hanging from the ceiling. This guy wasn’t coming, dammit. I’d called my mother and assured her I wouldn’t be alone. I tore my eyes from the long arm ticking away the seconds and reread the text from Barker.
