The Borrowed Boyfriend (2 page)

“Spoken like the loving girlfriend,” Allison said with an astonished laugh.

Exactly!
He’d come over to get Kate for their weekly Sunday morning brunch date, and she’d been taking her sweet time “getting ready,” which was obviously code for bashing the guy in her life. Grady was about to yank out his ear buds and complain, when Kate surprised him with a long-suspected truth.

“Okay, listen, Allison. I know Grady’s not your favorite person on earth…”

Why did Grady suddenly feel like the loser in a popularity contest? First Kate was overly critical and now this. So what if Allison didn’t care for him? Plenty of people thought he was awesome, especially his employees at Total Wines. Hadn’t the staff just given him the world’s best surprise party on his thirty-second birthday? With a catered lunch and everything? The fact that the event had been paid for by employee donations, rather than out of the company social fund, had touched him all the more.

“But you’ve got to admit,” Kate went on, “he presents a pretty good package on the outside.”
On the outside…?
“Handsome, articulate, successful…”
 

“You’re telling me you wouldn’t mind this at all? Not even a little bit?”

That was Grady’s question too. His and Kate’s arrangement was casual, but they did have an agreement to be exclusive.

“Why should I? It’s only just pretend!”
 

Ah so, there’s the rub. Something like a fake engagement, but on a lesser scale.
Grady had been dragged along to enough romantic comedy movies to know how those plots went. Of course, in the movies, the guy always got the girl. That’s because he was secretly trying. Grady had never understood those convoluted setups. He certainly hadn’t believed people did that sort of thing in real life. Women could be so diabolical. He’d have to remember to include more of them on his strategic planning team.

Kate lightly cleared her throat, then added as an apparent afterthought, “Besides, I’ll be away at a conference. It will give Grady something to do.”
 

“Grady runs a business,” Allison stated reasonably from behind the refrigerator. “He probably has plenty to keep him occupied.”
 

All Grady could see of Allison was her coffee mug and one flannel-sleeved arm. Kate peered his way and Grady quickly lowered his gaze to his screen, where the ten-day forecast scrolled across the bottom. He’d already set his weather app for Montego Bay in anticipation of all that warmth and sunshine.
 

“Not next week, he doesn’t,” Kate informed Allison. “He had his assistant clear his calendar because we were going to Jamaica. Amanda was supposed to go to this conference, but then she had her baby three weeks early.” Grady could picture Kate shrugging deferentially, but he didn’t dare peek again. “Kind of unavoidable. You know.”
 

Kate had only told him about the change in plans last night, and he still hadn’t decided what his next move should be. Grady was half considering going to Jamaica by himself. Except that Kate had probably booked them one of those love suites with a heart-shaped Jacuzzi overlooking a cove. It might feel a little awkward sipping champagne in it all alone. Kate was always doing things like that, going way overboard on accommodations. He suspected it was because she liked snapping couple selfies and sending them to her older sister, Marie, a stay-at-home mom with three kids and a very happy marriage. Kate was always trying to one-up Marie by proving how glamorous her life was. Perhaps he could change rooms? Or maybe even travel destinations? His meetings had already been moved to the following week, and it would be a headache for his assistant, Diane, to rearrange things again.
 

“And he’d say yes to this because…?” Allison asked.

A sharp silence followed. There was obviously no reason Kate could think of. Grady couldn’t imagine what would make him agree to such a ludicrous idea either. Little snippets of conversation started coming back to him, things that Kate had told him in utter confidence regarding Allison’s nonexistent love life. She had this annual reunion with old college friends during which everyone brought their significant other. For one reason or another, each year Allison had failed to appear with a match. Since Allison couldn’t find a man for herself, her friends had started hunting them for her. Grady guessed Allison was stressed that her friends were applying so much pressure, but seriously, Katie’s plan was totally wack. Not only that, it was patently dishonest.
 

So yeah, maybe pretending to be Allison’s boyfriend would be more of a white lie than a bald-faced one. Grady could see that the intention behind it wasn’t to hurt anyone. In fact, as Kate had proposed things, the reverse was true. Allison would feel less hassled while her friends could finally sit back and relax. Without them having to worry about their regular matchmaking duties—and Allison fretting over their efforts—everyone could truly unwind and enjoy each other’s company. The ruse could work out splendidly for everybody but Grady, who would probably have a much better time in Jamaica.
 

Grady wasn’t obtuse. Even before he’d overheard Kate’s comment, it had been painfully obvious that Allison didn’t care for him. He didn’t know if it was his job or his personality she disliked, but something about him must have rubbed Allison the wrong way. She’d scarcely said two words to him since he and Kate had started dating. And that suited Grady fine. He and Allison couldn’t have been more different if they tried.

Grady was grounded, analytical and in control; she was free-spirited, artistic and
a mess
. Grady had peered inside Allison’s bedroom from the hall. Art supplies and clothing were piled so high you couldn’t even see the floor! And she never
ever
made her bed. There was nothing on earth that could make spending a week at a chilly northeastern beach with her sound better than being in balmy Montego Bay solo,
except…

A little lightbulb went on in Grady’s head, almost like the ones in cartoon bubbles. But this lightbulb was shaped like a wine bottle with a lovely handcrafted label. The kind produced by Allison’s boutique operation, Bella Fortuna Wine Designs. Of course! Why hadn’t he considered that angle earlier? Grady was
this close
to cutting an international distribution deal. Purposeful product repackaging could be the key to his success.
 

Grady had been interviewing advertisers and industrial designers, searching for an entity that could help give his product the proper global slant. Perhaps he’d been casting his net too wide and he needed to narrow his focus? A specialty company like Allison’s Bella Fortuna might be just the ticket to designing packaging with flair—something sophisticated yet fresh that would appeal to the international market. The trouble was that it was well known in the industry that Bella Fortuna Wine Designs prided itself on staying true to its original mission. The label supplier supported local vintners by sticking to an elite client list.
 

Allison had thwarted more than one takeover in the past and eschewed working with large corporations. Perhaps, if she got to know Grady better and came to appreciate aspects of Total Wines’ universal ambitions, she’d be willing to consider a compromise? Grady’s blood pumped harder at the thought of bringing Allison’s tiny venture under his larger corporate wing. It was a match made in heaven; Grady could sense it, and his business instincts were seldom wrong. Just imagine where Total Wines could go if this expansion took off… The partnership could be a boon to Allison’s business too. It was a fantastic idea. Totally brilliant! Grady chided himself for not thinking of it earlier.
 

He’d seen Allison’s work and knew it was superb. Her upscale art was sure to appeal to even the most discriminating global buyer. What better way to sell discount wines than in really lovely bottles? It wasn’t like his wines were subpar. In truth, they were extraordinary. Grady got to distribute them at a fraction of their market costs due to the exclusive contracts he’d orchestrated with their vendors. But even he had to admit that their current plain labels didn’t do much to convey the quality inside.

Grady wasn’t one to believe in preordination, but he’d take a dose of serendipity when it landed in his lap. This beach week with Allison could be a win-win for both of them. Allison could save face with her friends and Grady could seal his deal. But Grady understood that he would need to finesse this. He couldn’t agree to Kate’s plan straightaway, as that might look suspicious. Allison probably wouldn’t want him tagging along if she knew about his ulterior motives up front—even if they
were
to her ultimate benefit.

Grady lowered his tablet to find Kate and Allison goggling at him. He removed his ear buds one at a time and shot them each a charming smile.
 

“Hey, ladies! What’s up?”

Chapter Two

Allison stared at Grady shell-shocked, hoping he hadn’t absorbed any of her and Kate’s conversation. It was mortifying that they’d discussed the whole thing right in front of him. Then again, as Kate always said, Grady rarely listened. Allison sure hoped he hadn’t been listening this time. Kate’s idea was ridiculous. What could make Kate even
think
she and Grady would go for it?

“We were just talking about you,” Kate said. “And our canceled trip to Jamaica.”

“Who says it’s canceled?” Grady asked smoothly. “I still might go.”

“Why would you do that?” Kate asked.
 

Grady set his tablet down beside him on the sofa. “Because it’s booked.”

Kate walked toward him and pulled a frowny face. “But baby, can’t you see? You’d be bored.”

“I’ll ask Diane to plan things,” he said. “Chart out a full itinerary.”

“I have a better idea!” Kate took his hand, her face brightening as if she’d just thought of it. “Let’s save Jamaica for later! For when the two of us can go together. We purchased the travel insurance. We can rebook.”

Grady’s hair was nearly black and his eyes were slate blue. At the moment, they were dancing with mischief. Perhaps he
had
overheard her and Kate’s conversation, and now he was toying with them. That devastating dimple in his left cheek deepened as he repressed a smile. “Then what will I do next week?”

“Go to Maine!” Kate proclaimed, as if it were decided.

Grady wrapped his arms around himself and gave a fake shiver. “Not a great choice for springtime. The Caribbean sounds better.”
 

As Allison listened to them, she gave Grady a long look. He wore jeans and a charcoal-gray sweatshirt that stretched across his broad chest and offset his morning stubble. She begrudgingly admitted that Kate was right. Grady did present a pretty nice package—on the outside. Not that she was considering Kate’s ludicrous idea. Not even for a second. Despite his stellar appearance, Grady’s priorities and hers were worlds apart. He ran an empire that crushed smaller businesses into submission…and just look at the overpriced car he drove. Allison couldn’t even pronounce its name.

Kate leaned over Grady with a coarse whisper. “You’re not helping!”

“Helping with what?”
he gruffly whispered back.

Kate motioned him toward her and he angled forward, resting his elbows on his knees while she murmured in his ear.
 

“Hmm. Um-hum… I see… That’s too bad…
Never?
” Grady clasped his hands together with a worried frown. “That
is
distressing.”

Now Kate was going too far. Allison strode toward the couple, raising her hands. “Guys, wait!”
 

Kate and Grady drew apart and viewed her expectantly.

“Kate, look. I appreciate that you’re trying to help… Really, I do.
I think.
But honestly, you don’t have to go there. I’m perfectly capable of defending myself during seven days—”

“And seven nights!” Kate reminded her.

Allison sputtered her reply. “What do the nights have to do with it?”

“You told me yourself, they put the last guy in your room!” Kate rejoined quickly.

“That’s because the house was small! We were tight on space!” Allison set a hand on her hip, thinking it was really none of their business, but she was going to tell them regardless. “Anyway, he slept on the floor.”

“Sounds like a charming vacation,” Grady said wryly. “For the guy.”
 

Kate shot him a look.
 

“What?”
he told her. “I’m not sleeping on the floor!”

“You’re not sleeping in her bed either,” Kate warned sternly. “That’s not part of the bargain.”

Allison wheeled on Kate, her head spinning. “Whose bargain?”

“Your bargain
.
”
Kate gestured between them. “Both of yours!” She licked her lips, then spoke more calmly. “The plan is for you to
pretend
that you’re an item
…
not really, ha-ha,
you know.
” Kate rolled her eyes heavenward. “As if that would ever happen between the two of you.”
 

Allison had probably shared too much with Kate about her dislike of corporate America. Allison’s parents’ bookstore had been run out of business by the big chains, and now the major wine warehouses were threatening to do the same to small and midsize vineyards. Places like Cost Club sold memberships to millions who purchased items in bulk. Total Wines had an exclusive deal with the retailer to supply all of its generic wines at bottom-of-the-barrel prices. It was no wonder the wines were cheap, given their really ugly labels. They were totally bland, with just a big, brick-red “CC” in Verdana font set against a pale yellow background. Seriously? No one could get any more creative than that?