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meet us,” I told him. “So try and behave.”
    “What makes you think I wouldn't?”
    “You sneaking into a wedding reception doesn't give off a good impression, for starters. Neither do those perverted friends of yours.”
    “Aw, we just like to have fun.” He winked at me over his shoulder. “I'll show you a good time too, if you'll let me. Seems you could definitely use it.”
    Before I could ask him what that meant, exactly, two familiar voices shouted my name from down the corridor.
    “Yoo-hoo! Alicia, sweetheart! Over here.”
    There was grandma, standing on a chair and flapping her arms like she was trying to take flight. Grandpa wobbled on his cane while recording us on video with his decrepit old camera.
    “Well, don't they seem nice.” He reached for me. “Give me your hand.”
    “W-what?”
    “You're my wife from now until we leave here. If you want that inheritance, best make it look convincing.”
    I let him scoop my small hand into his. An electric jolt of pleasure struck me when he weaved his rough fingers through mine.
    He looked at me, and I at him. He'd felt it too.
    “Oh, Ed. Don't they make a beautiful couple?”
    Carter winked. My stomach did flips. I decided it was finally time to accept the truth:
    If I made it through this week without tearing off his pants, it'd be a damn miracle.

Chapter 5 - Carter
     
    Alicia's grandma, Susie, seemed to be quite a character. With her fluffy red hair, thick bifocals, and need for constant chatter, she didn't resemble her granddaughter in the least.
    “We're so very sorry we couldn't make it to the wedding,” she said so quickly, each word blended into the next. “But you know that Ed only just got out of the hospital.”
    “Bones break a lot easier when you're my age,” Ed grumbled, patting his arm in a cast. “That'll teach me to climb on the roof in a rainstorm again.”
    The two of them squeezed Alicia in a tight hug, then turned their focus to me. Man, what if this didn't work? I was a pretty good liar, but these stakes were huge.
    “So you must be our newest addition to the family.” Ed stuck out his hand. “It's very good to meet you, Andy.”
    Alicia shot me a look of apology. “Uh, he actually prefers to go by his middle name. Carter.”
    I thanked her for the quick save. If I had to be called by her ex's name for a week, I'd probably jump off a bridge.
    “Is that so?” Susie frowned. “Well then, Carter. Your mother-in-law has told us many fabulous things about your cooking. I know you're here on honeymoon, but if you could perhaps whip us up a little something...”
    “Damn it, woman, leave the boy alone,” Ed snapped. “He's on vacation. He didn't come to Florida to be your personal cook.”
    “Oh, but Ellen's said his eclairs are to die for.”
    I pulled Alicia aside while they walked on, still arguing, oblivious that we'd fallen behind.
    “What's this about 'fabulous' cooking? The most advanced thing I do is throw burgers on the grill.”
    She chuckled nervously. “Uh, yeah. Maybe I forgot to mention it. Andy happens to be a professional chef at a four-star French restaurant.”
    I thought I might have a heart attack, and I hadn't even turned thirty yet.
    “Are you kidding?” I stammered. “Allie, the only French food I can make is of the deep-fried potato variety – and I get mine frozen from the grocery store to boot.”
    “I'm pretty sure fries aren't actually from France...”
    “Oh, Alicia! Carrrter! ” Susie whistled for us near the exit. “We've made lunch reservations, so hurry along. You wouldn't want to start your vacation on empty stomachs.”
    They'd reserved a rental car – a top-of-the-line Audi, for God's sake. The thing cost two hundred a day, but hey, at least I wasn't paying for it.
    I let Alicia drive, since I'd never been to Florida and she seemed to know the roads well. It was better that she took the wheel, because my head was spinning trying to figure out what sort of disaster I'd walked