Filed To Story: The Broken-Hearted She and The Icy He Book PDF Free
But to appear more loving and couple-like, she let Jackson come pick her up.
Jackson showed up in a flashy bright red Quicksilver-his “festive edition” car of choice.
Before long, that bold and obnoxiously cheerful Quicksilver rolled up in front of the Luke family’s main house.
Henry and the others had already been waiting outside the living room ever since the front gate security called in the arrival.
Watching Jackson step out of the car in a well-fitted black suit, looking calm and mature, their eyes lit up for a second-then their hearts sank.
It had only been a few weeks, and that Scott boy, already handsome, looked even sharper and more put-together now. Sure, our own grandson wasn’t lacking in looks or build. But… he is gay.
If we are Lily, we’d probably pick Jackson too-young, full of life, and clearly very, very straight.
“Mr. Henry, Madam Grace, Mr. Blanc, Madam Nancy.”
Jackson, eager for Lily’s divorce to go smoothly, looked unusually proper and respectful. That cocky smirk of his was gone, replaced with the polished demeanor of a straight-A student.
He greeted the Luke family elders politely, like a model gentleman.
When his eyes landed on James, he almost called out “ex-brin-law” like he usually did-but thinking better of it, he quickly corrected himself with a sheepish nod.
“James. Ivan.”
Ivan was around Jackson’s age, and they used to hang out a lot.
But now, in Ivan’s eyes, Jackson was the jerk trying to steal away Lily. He didn’t want anything to do with him anymore.
He barely glanced at Jackson and walked straight into the living room.
Dinner was already prepared.
Once Jackson and the others entered the dining room, the housekeepers quickly brought out the dishes. Grace was quick to wave them over, warmly inviting Jackson and Lily to sit beside her.
Lily barely knew Jackson. Honestly, it felt incredibly awkward pretending to be a couple in front of the elders.
And when she caught James staring coldly at her hand, she felt even more uncomfortable-she had no idea where to put her hands or feet.
Then suddenly, it hit her.
His face looks awful… could it be he thinks Jackson and I aren’t acting couple-y enough?
Is he staring at my hand because he wants me to hold Jackson’s?
I wasn’t exactly a social butterfly. Holding hands with someone I barely knew? Not my thing.
Besides, when I had hired Jackson to act with me, I only mentioned faking a relationship-not actual physical contact.
Jackson was supposed to be this pure-hearted, broke college guy. He probably didn’t want me touching him like that either.
If I grabbed his hand now, wouldn’t that be super inappropriate?
It would make me look creepy and gross, like some sleazy woman trying to take advantage of him.
But James’s expression just kept getting darker and darker…
Clearly, he was stressed that we weren’t selling the “loving couple” act well enough-and it might ruin his chance at getting free.
Even though she really didn’t want to make Jackson uncomfortable, she forced herself to move. Her pinky trembled slightly before she finally grabbed his hand.
Whatever. Worst case, I’ll just give Jackson extra money later as compensation.
Jackson, who had been chatting politely with Grace, went completely still.
He couldn’t believe it.
The girl I dreamed about is actually… holding my hand?
There was a bouquet of red roses sitting on the dining room windowsill.
It was like the bright red petals were reflecting off his ears, flushing his whole face. The warmth traveled quickly up to his cheeks, and suddenly he couldn’t breathe evenly anymore.
Even if it was all just for show-even if she was acting-just holding her hand for the first time was enough to make my heart race.
James’s face turned even colder.
Jackson looked like a damn golden retriever getting praised by his owner. Just wag your tail already, why don’t you?
The way their hands were joined made James’s eyes burn.
In fact, he had this sudden, almost irresistible urge to march over there and pry their hands apart
But we’re getting divorced tomorrow. It’d be inappropriate.
So he forced the feeling down.
Grace and Nancy weren’t blind. Of course they noticed Lily taking Jackson’s hand.
They’d been around long enough to spot it instantly-Jackson was clearly over the moon. He was trying his best not to show it, but it was written all over his face.
No doubt about it. That boy liked Lily a lot.
But Lily’s hand-holding looked stiff as a board. It was obvious she and Jackson weren’t close.
She only held his hand because James had basically threatened her with his eyes.
Grace and Nancy exchanged a glance. Years of being in-laws meant they instantly knew what the other was thinking.
They both realized Lily didn’t actually like Jackson that way. Most likely, James had forced her into this weird setup. And Lily, being kind-hearted and loyal, was doing her best to help him get the divorce he wanted.
That punk seriously needed a beating.
Grace’s hands clenched into fists.
Nancy was grinding her teeth in frustration.
But they both knew-if they exposed all this, Lily would be embarrassed.
They didn’t want her to keep getting pushed around like this. Didn’t want her faking affection with some guy she barely knew.
So they silently agreed-might as well approve the divorce.
They had originally planned to visit the Scott family and talk with Hannah about Jackson and Lily’s marriage arrangements.
They’d wanted to make it clear that Lily wasn’t alone, that the Luke family was still her backbone, and that she shouldn’t be underestimated.
But now that they saw Lily clearly had no real interest in Jackson, there was no point in arranging any formal talks.
“Um… Lily…”
Jackson stood there frozen for a long time, like his soul had momentarily left his body before finally floating back in.
He reined in his usual cocky attitude and looked up at her like a happy puppy. His bright eyes sparkled 3 and he seemed ridiculously obedient.
He was breathing so hard from excitement that his chest visibly rose and fell. He couldn’t help himself he tightly squeezed Lily’s hand in return.
Lily stiffened again.
Awkward.
She really wanted to pull her hand away, but doing that would just make it obvious that she and Jackson weren’t a real couple-and could mess up James’s shot at being single again.
So she forced herself to let him hold on.
Still, feeling Jackson actually cooperate a little was a bit of a relief.
At least I hadn’t offended him. He was clearly willing to commit to the role-for the paycheck, anyway.
I’ll give him an extra 1,400 dollars.
“Mr. Henry, Madam Grace, Mr. Branc, Madam Nancy… Jackson and I are doing well together. Please just agree to let James and I get divorced.”
Henry shot James a nasty look.
Fake exactly. And she acts like she actually likes this Scott boy.
And this was all that punk’s fault!
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.