The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(7)

"And what would you have done in my place?" I asked. "Don't tell me you'd grin and bear it patiently."

"Of course not!" she scoffed. "But I wouldn't fly off at the handles either."

"What would you have done, then?" I asked.

"I'd give her a taste of her own medicine," she said.

I leaned back in my chair and looked her over doubtfully. She sat calmly, holding her mug in both hands, a beatific smile on her face--the picture of pure innocence. Stella had always been the epitome of decorum and class, but only those close to her knew of the streak of deviousness that ran in her. Perhaps she was right and I did have to change tactics. All my protests and belly aching were getting me nowhere. Maybe it was time to give my mother a taste of her own medicine.

"All right," I said. "I'll bite. What should I do?"

"Get engaged," she said.

I choked on the sip of coffee I had just taken. "Are you out of your mind?" I spluttered.

"Think about it, Rob. She wants you to get engaged. So give her what she thinks she wants. But make sure it's to someone so wholly unsuitable, she'll regret ever pressuring you to get married in the first place."

I took a moment to digest Stella's words. A slow smile spread across my lips as I realized the brilliance of her plan. "My God, you're amazing!" I said in awe. "Who knew such a brilliant, scheming mind lay inside that pretty little head of yours?"

"Don't thank me just yet. The hard part is finding someone who will agree to this scheme. She can't just be any woman," she cautioned. "She's got to be discreet, believable as your fiancé, and someone Mum would absolutely loathe. And I'm guessing you'd prefer someone attractive."

My smile faltered a bit as the truth of her words struck me. Where on earth would I find someone like that?

"What about Teresa Ashford?" I suggested after a while.

Stella snorted before placing her mug down on the table in a loud clatter. "You've clearly lost your mind. Messy Tessy is not one to be messed with. She's had her eye on you for years. If you're not careful, you might end up married to her for real," she warned.

Stella was right, of course. I knew as soon as I suggested her that it'd be a mistake. Teresa Ashford had one goal in life, and that was to land a rich husband. She'd been known to use any tactic necessary to accomplish her goal, but so far no luck. I wasn't about to hand myself to her on a silver platter.

"Lavinia Marsh?" I suggested.

"Loopy Lavvy? You can't be serious," Stella scoffed.

"Do you have a nickname for everyone?" I asked in growing exasperation.

"Only the batshit crazy ones," Stella said. "You need someone completely unexpected. Mum would be on to your game if you told her you'd just gotten engaged to Lavinia or Teresa. She'd know hell would have to freeze over first before you took that step."

Stella was right again, though I hated to admit it. For this plan to work, I had to pick someone my mother would never expect. Someone who would be believable. I stood up and paced Stella's small living room, as I wracked my brain trying to think of anyone who fit the bill. My eyes landed on a copy of a celebrity magazine, and I stopped. I snatched up the copy and flipped through the pages, scanning the accompanying article. With each word, my hope soared. She was perfect!

"It's her!" I said holding up the magazine for Stella's perusal.

Her eyebrows lifted as she reached for it. "Didn't you used to have a thing with her?" she asked.

"Yes, well sort of," I said. "It was a minor flirtation, nothing serious. She broke it off to go shoot a movie. Anyway, she's perfect. I don't know why I didn't think of her sooner. I mean she's an actress, for crying out loud. Mum would hate that."

"What makes you think she'll agree? She seems to have enough on her plate, judging by this article, without having to deal with a fake engagement."

"We'll see about that," I said smiling smugly.





Chapter 3: Rob



I sat down on a plush couch at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood after arriving a few days ago. It had taken me just as long to track Emilia Holliday down. The number she had given to me when we first met almost a year ago was no longer in service. I had to get the number from my friend, Ryan, who was currently traveling. His fiancée, Mel, worked with Emilia as her stylist.

It had been difficult keeping the purpose of my visit a secret. Ryan had been annoyingly nosy, something I'd normally not attribute to him. I had decided to keep my plans a secret for now. The last thing I needed was for him to butt in and mess things up for me.

I looked up when the door opened, and Emilia strolled in. She looked stunning in a little black dress. Her long black hair hung loose down past her shoulders. I'd forgotten how attractive she was in person. There was just something about her that couldn't be captured in a photograph.

Ever since the moment I first laid eyes on her, I'd always found Emilia beautiful. At the time, I thought she and Ryan were a couple, so I kept my distance. Later when I realized they weren't together, we began a light flirtation. Things never progressed beyond calling, texting, and some innocent stolen kisses.

She left for a movie shoot before things could take off. I was slightly disappointed at the time, but brushed it off quickly. She was just another girl, after all, but seeing her again reminded me of just what had captured my attention in the first place. If I were a different man, I could easily see myself falling for her for real. But I knew that wasn't going to happen, so I had no qualms about having her pose as my fiancée.