The Vampire's Fake Fiancée (Nocturne Falls Book 5) (5 page)

Sebastian stared into his backyard, seeing nothing of the gardens or the purple sky brought on by twilight. All he could think about was that he’d made a stupid, rash decision. Evangeline’s presence had that kind of effect on men. And his bold claim of being engaged was proof that she most definitely still had that effect on him.

There was no way the meek little sister of Deputy Blythe was going to convince Evangeline that she was his fiancée. Valkyrie or not, the woman was so bland as to be almost unnoticeable, and if her personality matched her looks, he was doomed. She wasn’t ugly by any stretch, but she was just so plain that she would be impossible to pick out in a crowd. He doubted Evangeline would ever believe he was attracted to Tessa.

The poor woman couldn’t help who she was, though. And he was indebted to her for coming to his rescue, fully aware that it was a tremendously kind act on her behalf. Of course, she stood to gain the dean of library studies job, which she was infinitely qualified for anyway, but he was appreciative regardless. Job or not, he owed her. She barely knew him.

He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had put themselves out for him in such a manner. A tiny spot of warmth bloomed in his heart for Tessa Blythe. The first he’d really felt for anyone outside of his family, which naturally included Greaves. He stayed on that thought for a moment. No matter the outcome, Tessa had proven herself a good person.

Sebastian rubbed his chin. Perhaps Tessa being Evangeline’s exact opposite was a good thing. Maybe Tessa’s mousiness would startle Evangeline into thinking this setup was the truth. That he must really love the woman to be keeping company with her. He couldn’t say.

But no matter how he played the outcomes in his head, he couldn’t shake the feeling this whole mess had the very serious potential to blow up in his face. Tessa should have the job either way. She should not suffer if this plan didn’t work. Because if it didn’t, Evangeline would surely make her suffer.

Sebastian vowed he would protect Tessa from Evangeline, no matter the cost to himself or Evangeline. Tessa didn’t deserve to be hurt because of his problems. Or Evangeline’s unpredictability.

Yes, he’d see to it that Tessa had the job, but he wouldn’t tell her that. He needed her to be motivated, after all. This was not going to be an easy task.

If only they had more time to prepare. But then, they
did
to some extent. Not much more time, but he could go see Tessa tonight. In fact, he almost had to. A day would never be enough to get their stories memorized and become familiar enough with one another so as not to appear like strangers. He sighed loudly.

“Everything all right, sir?”

Sebastian turned. He’d told Greaves everything the minute he’d gotten home. “I need to go see Tessa. There are too many details. We’ll never get them right if we don’t start now.”

“You could just tell Evangeline the truth.”

“And look like a fool in her eyes once again? No. I can’t have her thinking I’ve been waiting for her return all these years. That I’ve just been pining away.”

“Except that you have been.” He held his hands up. “Respectfully.”

Sebastian frowned. “I know what a pathetic fool I am, old man. No need to remind me.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “She looked at me with utter disbelief. As if the thought that another woman was willing to have me was completely preposterous. That I could not possibly be interesting enough to hold the attention of another woman. It may be my downfall, but my pride will not let that lie.”

“No, sir.”

He looked at Greaves. “Am I that difficult of a man just because I am firm in my beliefs and have little tolerance for imperfection in others? Is that enough to make me…hard to love, do you think?”

Greaves pursed his mouth. “I can’t speak for the female population, but you are not Julian, that’s for sure.”

Sebastian snorted derisively at the mention of his youngest brother. “And I never will be if treacly charm and loose morals are what make a man attractive.”

Greaves grunted in agreement.

A hard thought struck Sebastian. He let a few seconds pass before speaking again. “Am I boring, then, Greaves?”

Greaves tipped his head slightly. “I suppose that depends on what a woman finds stimulating. Evangeline’s interests lay beyond the realm of the cerebral, so you two were never going to be a good match. You’re a brilliant man with a mind that seeks higher pleasures. You need a woman with a similar mind.”

“Thank you for that.” Sebastian rolled his shoulders to relieve the stress of the day. It failed to help. “I’m going out to see Miss Blythe. We have work to do. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Very good, sir.”

Deputy Blythe lived in one of the residential neighborhoods the Ellinghams had set aside specifically for town employees. The houses weren’t enormous but they weren’t shoe boxes either and the yards all showed pride of ownership, something that pleased Sebastian. Order was a thing of beauty and these streets had it in spades.

He parked in her driveway next to her patrol car and went to the front door to knock. Deputy Blythe answered a few moments later and he knew immediately by her expression that he was not who she’d expected.

“Sebastian.”

“Deputy Blythe. I realize I should have phoned that I was coming. My apologies for interrupting your evening. I was hoping to speak with Tessa.”

“Did you decide to call the whole thing off?”

“No. But that is why I’m here. Is she available?”

“Sure, come in. She’s in her room. I’ll get her.” Jenna pointed at the couch in the living room. “Have a seat.”

He remained standing. The house was as neat inside as it was out and not overly accessorized. He liked it.

A few minutes later, Tessa walked into the room. She pushed her glasses back and blinked at him. “H-hello.”

A more tentative greeting he could not imagine. He did his best to be casual. “Hi. I’m sorry to drop by unannounced, but I was thinking we should start the process of getting to know each other now instead of trying to cram it all into the hours before dinner tomorrow.”

She nodded, looking relieved. “That’s a good idea. I have to confess, the whole thing is making me nervous. I don’t like being unprepared.”

“No, neither do I. Would you like to go out? Get some coffee perhaps?” He hadn’t actually intended that, but it seemed like he’d become quite impulsive lately.

She tucked a loose strand of dirty-blonde hair behind one ear. It was the only piece that had escaped the chignon at the nape of her neck. “Um, sure. I guess if we’re supposed to be engaged, being seen in public together makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. Although now it’s my turn to confess that I hadn’t even thought of that.”

She raised her hand, palm to her chest, and wiggled her fingers. “Something else you might not have thought about. Do you have a ring for me to wear?”

“A ring?”

“An engagement ring. Won’t this other woman expect to see one on my hand?”

He closed his eyes and sighed. There was so much he hadn’t considered. This was why he was rarely impulsive. Actions spawned by emotion were prone to failure. “Yes, she absolutely will. And no, I don’t have one. We’ll remedy that this evening as well. Why don’t you get ready and I’ll make a call and see what I can do about that.”

She glanced down at her nondescript pants and blouse. “I…am ready.”

“Oh.” Plain did not begin to describe the poor woman.

Her mouth thinned to a perturbed line. “No, never mind. I’ll go change. I’ll be quick.”

“Take as long as you like. I’m happy to wait.”

She headed back down the hall and he heard her calling for her sister. He shook his head. He had only himself to blame when Evangeline saw through this. He pulled out his phone and dialed Willa Iscove, the jeweler in town. He needed a ring and he could think of no one else who could provide him with one on such short notice.

There would be no half-measures, either, because in all of this mess, he knew one thing. If he was going down in flames, it was going to be the largest bonfire Nocturne Falls had ever witnessed.

Tessa slipped into her sister’s room and shut the door, leaning against it. “You have to help me.”

Jenna looked up from where she was sitting on her bed playing with Duncan who was chasing a feather on a string, but mostly falling over his own feet in the process. “What do you need? Whatever it is, I’ll do it. It’s my valkyrie duty to protect the worthy and you certainly fit that description, even if you are another valkyrie. Wait, you’re not going to ask me to take your place as Grumpy’s fiancée are you? Because I love you but my answer to that is still no.”

“No, it’s not that and don’t call him Grumpy. That’s my future boss you’re talking about.
If
this works out. He wants to go out for coffee and by the way he looked at my clothes, I could tell he didn’t think much of this outfit. If I’m supposed to be his fiancée, I need to look like a woman he’d actually be seen with. Which I’m guessing I don’t now.”

“And that’s what you want my help with?”

Tessa nodded. “Yes. Please.”

Jenna hopped off the bed and squealed with delight. “I’ve been trying to give you a makeover for years.”

“Hold up. This is not a makeover. I just need help picking out something else to wear. Something more like what a vampire’s fiancée would wear.” Tessa shook her head at the ridiculousness of that statement. “Whatever that is.”

Jenna went over and opened her closet.

Tessa’s brows knit. “My clothes are in the guest room.”

“Which is why I’m looking in here.” She stared into her closet. “Do you have any skinny jeans?”

“Do I look like a hipster?”

Jenna shot her a look. “Regular jeans will have to do.”

“I don’t have any of those either.”

Jenna looked at her sister. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I don’t wear jeans. They’re not work appropriate.”

Jenna tipped her head to the side. “You have a life outside of work.”

Not really, but Tessa kept that comment to herself.

Jenna pulled a stack of jeans off a shelf and plopped them on the bed. “The skinnies are on top. Lucky for you, we’re the same size.”

“You’re an inch taller.” Why would one person own so many pairs of jeans? Weren’t they all essentially the same? Blue and denim.

“Half an inch and that won’t make a difference.” Jenna waved her hands at Tessa like she was trying to shoo flies away. “Let’s go, strip, get into the jeans. And lose that old lady blouse.”

“It’s not an old lady blouse. This is Ann Taylor, I’ll have you know.”

“Forgive me. Lose that middle-aged lady blouse.”

Tessa huffed out a breath but took off her navy chinos and silk shirt and climbed into the pair of jeans Jenna indicated. They were
snug
. “Are these jeans or leggings?”

Jenna rolled her eyes. “Jeans.”

“Are they supposed to be this tight? I think I’m losing circulation in my thighs.”

“Yes, and no, you’re not.” Jenna pulled out a couple of tops on hangers before turning around. “Holy Loki, you actually have a body. And boobs!”

Tessa wrapped her arms around her bare stomach. “Of course I have a body. And a chest.”

“Yeah, but who knew the whole package was this hot? Although, Tessa, seriously? That bra is a real snooze. White cotton? Do you have to special order those from Amish-R-Us?” Jenna curled her lip. “We might be sisters but we are not related by fashion.”

“It’s practical. And I can bleach it.” And they matched her underwear, but Tessa was sure her sister wouldn’t think that was a plus.

Jenna lifted her brows. “What are you doing in your bras that they need to be bleached?” She held up a hand. “On second thought, don’t answer that.” She thrust out the handful of shirts. “Try these on.”

Tessa took the hangers but stared at the shirts. “All together?”

“Oh my word, no. One at a time.” Jenna shook her head and went back to digging in her closet. “You still wear a size eight shoe like me, right?”

“Yes.” Tessa pulled the first top on. It was plum-colored and sort of twisted at the neck but then the fabric fell away in a draped cowl. It was pretty. Lower cut than the tops she normally wore, but not uncomfortably so. Not a color she would have typically picked either, but this was about looking different, so mission accomplished.