Amy’s glow of excitement sent a warm surge of satisfaction through Kelsey. This was why she would marry Jared in a few short weeks. She leaned over, hugging her sister again.
“I’m glad. He couldn’t kiss a better girl. I’m so happy things are finally getting straightened out with you two.”
“Me, too.” Her sister bounced on the seat like a four-year old filled with exuberance.
Amy threw her arms wide, falling back against the loveseat. “Everything’s working out for us both! Who’d have thought you would fall for Jared just when I was about to give up on Doug?”
Throwing her love-fogged sister an indulgent glance, Kelsey murmured, “Yeah, what a surprise.”
“And Jared’s such a great guy,” Amy enthused. “So perfect for you. Strong and, you know, masterful. Not like some of those wimps you’ve flirted with. Jared’s absolutely the perfect guy for you.”
“Yes.” Kelsey twisted the antique sapphire ring on her finger, thinking about the man with whom she’d soon be sharing her bed and her life. Jared Barrett was the perfect man for her…for one whole year.
****
Kelsey held the cool champagne glass in her hand, glancing around again in amazement at the crowded room. She had no idea how Jared’s friends had pulled this bridal shower/engagement party together so quickly.
The wedding was all set for a week from this evening, less than six weeks from the fateful day in her office when she’d announced to Jared that she needed a husband. As far as she knew, however, this elegant, if boisterous, soiree had sprung up as an impulsive celebration sponsored by two couples Jared had known since college.
They were a rowdy bunch, despite their accumulated wealth and dignified professions. She’d never seen such a group of normal, cheerful people. Jared ran with a more diverse crowd than she’d have expected. He’d already introduced her to a young, hot architect, a stockbroker, two doctors, an editor for a small press and several struggling artists.
Even Doug was here with Amy in tow. As one of Jared’s executives, Doug had naturally been included any festivities. Apparently, Jared was known to have an egalitarian management style that frequently included socializing with his staff.
Kelsey was excited that Doug and Amy had come together. Even if his glance lingered occasionally on Kelsey, he turned back to his date soon enough. Her sister had never looked happier.
“Kelsey! Come let me introduce you to some people,” exclaimed Jennifer Scoggins, the wife of Jared’s college roommate.
With the other woman lightheartedly tugging at her hand, Kelsey laughed and allowed herself to be towed through the swarm.
“This is Sandra and Dina,” Jennifer said. “They wanted to meet the girl who’s landed our most elusive bachelor.”
“Yes,” Sandra said. “That boy’s broken a few hearts since his divorce. How did you manage to snare him?”
Kelsey chatted with the group of women, laughingly denying that she possessed any secret weapons. They seemed like friendly, intelligent women, although she couldn’t help suspecting that Dina had tried her hand at capturing Jared herself. The short, petite woman greeted her with enthusiasm, but her green eyes held something more than friendship when Jared’s name was mentioned.
As bizarre as it was, Kelsey had to admit to a smidgen of pique at the thought of the other woman angling for “her” man.
As with any cocktail party, the crowd shifted, groups forming and reforming, the sound of laughter and conversation rising and falling.
Listening to Jennifer’s take on the recent opening of an off-off Broadway play, Kelsey caught a glimpse of Jared across the room. His eyes met hers and he raised his glass in a small salute, a smile playing on his lips.
She smiled back, impressed with how comfortable he seemed. The situation might have challenged a less composed man. Here he was being feted by his long-time friends for a marriage that would be as false as a socialite’s kiss. He seemed almost too comfortable with an essentially dishonest situation.
Kelsey refused to hear the small warning bells that rang in her head at the thought. They’d been popping up ever since the situation with the hotel ad campaign and, especially since the revealing business dinner she’d shared with Jared and the union rep. She’d always known Jared was unfathomable, but now she had to wonder how this personality characteristic would affect their agreement.
Of course, she wasn’t in a position to judge. Her need for them to get married, and appear in love while doing so, was greater than his.
But for several weeks now, she’d pondered what she knew about Jared. For the most part, he seemed more honest than a lot of men, even with his sharkish moments. Oddly enough though, the tough, businessman side of him was less disturbing to her than the gentle moment when he’d taken her into his arms on the sidewalk after that business dinner.