Read Online From Friend to Fake Fiancé by Jules Bennett - Free Book Online Page B

fling. Mac took a hard pull from his beer and realized he was no better than Martin—as difficult as that was to admit. Martin had used her and Mac was attempting to do the same. Oh, Mac could justify his means by saying he’d always wanted her physically, which was true, but after this week he would go back to his life and Jenna would be left with...what? She didn’t have feelings for him beyond friendship, but she was the type of woman who wanted that fairy-tale ending. Hadn’t her sister just stated as much?
    The only role Mac would ever play in a fairytale would be a villain. The villain never got the princess.
    â€œMac?”
    Blinking, he sat his glass back down and looked to Amy. “I’m sorry, what?”
    â€œI asked what happened.” She nodded toward his injured hand still curled around his frosted mug.
    â€œHe had a slight altercation,” Jenna chimed in. “No big deal.”
    Oh, hell, no. She wasn’t coming to his defense or making lame excuses for him.
    â€œI punched Martin.”
    Jenna sighed and dropped her head. Amy jerked back in her seat and Nathan narrowed his eyes.
    â€œWhy?” Amy demanded in a whispered tone.
    â€œHe cheated on Jenna and—”
    â€œAnd nothing,” Jenna stated, her voice rising over his. “Let’s just leave this conversation for another time.”
    â€œHe cheated on you?” Amy asked, her wide eyes turning to her sister. “I knew you guys broke up, but you never said why. Oh, honey, I’m so sorry you have to walk with him during the ceremony.”
    Mac clenched his teeth. The thought of Martin getting close to Jenna only made him see red all over again.
    Amy turned to Nathan. “Did you know about this?” she demanded.
    Nathan held his hands up in his defense. “He’s my best friend, but I had no clue. I’d say he didn’t tell me for obvious reasons.”
    Jenna reached for her wineglass. “Seriously, it happened a few weeks ago and I didn’t want to ruin the wedding, so let’s forget this conversation ever happened.”
    As she sipped her wine, she turned just enough to glare at Mac. He wasn’t going to apologize. Amy and Nathan needed to know what kind of asshat was in their wedding party posing as a friend and all-round good guy.
    Mac couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the jerk sporting a shiner for the ceremony. Probably not something Amy would find amusing, but Mac sure did. They should be thankful Mac hadn’t broken the guy’s jaw, or worse.
    â€œPlease, don’t let this ruin anything,” Jenna begged.
    Amy studied her sister and finally nodded. “So, tell me what you’ve decided on for your wedding. Surely you have a date in mind or some details.”
    Hell. He was going to need something stronger than beer to get through this.
    â€œActually, this is all still so new to us.”
    Yeah, like two days.
    â€œI want to focus on your wedding before thinking about my own,” Jenna went on. “Did the resort get with you on the time I can start setting up in the dining area for the reception?”
    â€œThey told me after the rehearsal would be fine. Does that give you enough time?”
    â€œOf course.” Jenna’s tight smile implied the arrangement was anything but fine, but she’d never tell her sister anything different.
    Nathan asked Mac about the auction business and Mac kept his answers vague. Though O’Shea’s was thriving even more than usual, Mac’s mind was on the scrolls and how Ryker was doing with his lead. Ryker wasn’t one to just send random check-ins, though. He wouldn’t contact anyone until he discovered something substantial.
    When Mac’s cell vibrated in his pocket, he slipped it out just enough to see his sister’s name on the screen.
    â€œExcuse me,” he stated as he came to his feet. “I need to take this.”
    His sister wasn’t