When Lightning Strikes (Whiskey Creek #1)(8)
Author: Brenda Novak

“I’m glad to hear you think her actions are reprehensible, since destroying someone’s business doesn’t seem to bother your conscience. At least you have your limits.”

He made a face at her. “You asked for what I did. You left Simon in the lurch, then compounded the problem by opening your big mouth.”

“He showed up at his ex-wife’s drunk and tried to bust into her house!”

“Because he wanted to see his son!”

“And accomplished just the opposite. Now she has a restraining order against him.”

“What she’s doing hurts Ty as much as Simon. Ty has to be wondering where the hell his daddy is, and that tears Simon up. Anyway, Simon’s ex isn’t the one who’s paying my bill, so I’ll let someone else worry about what’s best for her.”

“Right now no one is paying your bill,” Gail reminded him. “If you want Simon back, you’re going to have to make him an offer, show him a way out of the mess he’s in.”

“And you think a fake marriage is the ticket?” Suspicion entered his eyes. “Or are you setting me up for failure?”

Gail spread her hands wide. At this point, she wanted them all to regain their footing, even Ian, so they could move on. “I’m not setting you up. To prove it, I’ll handle all the PR for this myself, free of charge.”

“Which includes…”

“I’ll get the information into the hands of key people, position it as one of the best-kept secrets in town that Simon has a new love interest. Everyone will be salivating to learn who the lucky girl is. Meanwhile, you can find the best candidate. Once that happens, I’ll sell the exclusive to  People, and he can use those funds to pay her if he wants.” Satisfied that she’d come up with the perfect fix, she raised her hands palms up. “Or Chelsea could take my idea and run with it.”

“No way,” he said, shaking his head. “Why would Pierce Mattie be willing to get involved in this, to put their reputation on the line?”

“The money? Or the challenge—”

“No way. They’d never go along with it.” He cracked his knuckles.

“Then I’ll do it, like I said.”

“That’s better. But how am I supposed to find an innocent woman in the circles Simon’s been hanging out with lately? He’s so afraid he’ll actually be tempted to trust someone he’s sworn off all women except the most jaded and easy. You’re the only one he knows who—” His head jerked up. “That’s it!”

Gail wasn’t sure why, but she took a step back. “What’s it?”

“You’ll be his wife. That way even Chelsea won’t have to know. It’ll stay between us. The three of us.”

“You’re not serious….”

“Of course I am. It’s got to be someone he knows or people will see this as the ruse it is. Besides, you owe us, and you need the money a lot more than Chelsea Seagate. She has all your old clients, remember?” he added with a devilish grin.

“How could I forget? But I’m not cut out for the part of Simon’s wife!”

“Sure you are. You’re perfect. No one will pay attention to the rape claim because they’ll know that if you’re marrying him, it couldn’t possibly be true. Everything will be tied up with a neat bow.”

Was she really the one who’d come up with this idea? She was beginning to feel faint again. “But Simon and I aren’t the least bit compatible. Seeing us together, the way we interact, will be a dead giveaway.”

“He’s an actor, and a damn good one. He can pretend to love even you. And you’re a PR agent, which requires no small amount of stretching the truth.”

She considered what his suggestion would entail and gulped. “Wait a minute…”

“For what?”

For the room to stop spinning. “What about my business? I’m needed here.”

“You said you don’t have any business left.”

“I don’t, but I was…hoping that—”

“We’ll send your staff on vacation until we have everything set up and ready for you to return.”

“That won’t work. My employees can’t survive without a paycheck, even for two weeks.”

“Then they can stay and work. Simon will cover your payroll.”

He was overcoming every argument. “And the rent until we can make a comeback?”

“Simon will cover that, too.”

Her knees buckled, and she sank into a chair. She had to admit she’d had her fantasies about Simon. What woman in America hadn’t imagined his mouth on hers? She’d imagined a little more than that. But those were silly daydreams about characters who didn’t exist, not the flesh and blood and very fallible man who played those larger-than-life parts. At least, that was what she’d always told herself….

“I’m not sure I can do this.”

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Ian came closer. “Why not? Who better than a PR pro to stay at Simon’s side night and day? If that won’t keep him out of trouble, what will? Besides, you’ll know exactly what to say when someone shoves a microphone in your face.”

Gail grabbed for the one remaining argument she could think of. “How can you promise that Simon will pay my employees and my rent or anything else on his behalf? Last I heard you were fired.”

He winked at her. “Simon needs us. He’ll understand that once I’ve had a chance to talk to him.”

Maybe he’d refuse. He wouldn’t like this idea. No question about that.

But if he thought it would give him Ty he’d do it in a heartbeat.

5

“Seriously? This is what my life has come to? A fake marriage?”

Suddenly finding it too much of a distraction, Simon put the football game he’d recorded on his DVR on pause. Ian was hoping to retain his job, so it was understandable that he’d come here with some crazy idea that was supposed to save the day. But even if it had been a good idea, Simon doubted he’d take him back. In his opinion, Ian had revealed some disturbing character flaws.

Then again, Simon knew he probably wasn’t anyone who should be pointing a finger.

Ian sat on the edge of his chair. Showered and ready for the rest of the day, his sunglasses dangling from one hand, he looked refreshed and energetic, which counted for more than anything he’d had to say so far. His manner made him convincing. Simon needed someone who felt ready to tackle the world. He felt as if he’d just been hit by a truck.