Free Her Imaginary Husband (Contemporary Romance) by Lia London Page A

water from the tap.
    “Right here, Ma. I heard everything you said.”
    “No, you didn’t.”
    Nikki crawled back under the covers and grabbed Meriwether from the nightstand. “You told me about your neighbor’s yard being in total disarray, and then you asked about the husband potentials at work.” Experience tells me this will be a lucky guess…?
    Ma mumbled. “Well?”
    “Well, so far there are two single men in my general age range that I’ve been able to locate. Both attractive.” What the heck. Maybe it’ll shut her up.
    Nikki could feel enthusiasm oozing from her mother. “Tell me all about them and I’ll help you decide which one is right for you.”
    “You don’t think I should wait for a few more selections, Ma? Two is not a lot of options.”
    “They’re single, aren’t they? Gainfully employed and good-looking.”
    “Y-yes.”
    “Well, stop being so picky. You can fix anything else they aren’t later.”
    Nikki face palmed herself back onto the pillow, startling the cat into a yowl.
    “Don’t sass your mother.”
    “I didn’t say anything, Ma. That was the ca—”
    “Give me the rundown on each. Pros and cons.”
    Nikki yawned and decided to play along. If she gave just enough information, Ma might talk for several minutes without expecting a response. Nikki could get some more shut-eye. “One is the football coach. He’s recently divorced and apparently dates a lot. He’s kind of a flirt, but he is beautiful.”
    “How old?”
    “Thirty-something?”
    Ma grunted ambiguously. “And the other one?”
    “He’s the campus cop. Maybe a couple of years older than I am. Very much a gentleman. I don’t think he has a significant other.”
    “Cops don’t get paid much.”
    “Neither do teachers, but I’m doing fine.”
    “You’re not supporting a family. Besides, cops get shot.”
    “Not at Riverview High, Ma. Maybe someone will drown him in designer cologne, but—” Nikki held the phone away from her ear and mouthed the words in unison: Don’t sass your mother.
    “Go for the coach.”
    “Even if he’s divorced and chasing women all the time?”
    “You chase him and he’ll stop all that.”
    Nikki drew a deep breath, closed her eyes, and braced herself. “There’s one little problem with the coach. He thinks I’m married.”
    “How did he get that impression? You don’t look married!”
    There’s a look? “I sort of told him I was.” She held the phone away from her ear again while her mother shrieked. “I’ll fix it, Ma.”
    “I honestly don’t know what to do with you.” Ma hung up, and Nikki rolled over onto her side.
    Feeling’s mutual, Ma. And I don’t know what to do with Coach, either.
     
    
     
    By the time Nikki had coughed her way through the first half of the day, she was so miserable she could hardly keep her eyes open.
    “Why are you here?” asked Gayle at lunch.
    “What do you mean? I have to work.”
    “You’re sicker than a dog. Go home.”
    “Who’ll teach my classes?” asked Nikki, shuffling in her purse for some tissue.
    “We’ll cover for you,” said Kristin. “Go home.”
    “But I can’t use up my sick days now. It’s still September.”
    “Honey, everyone uses up half their sick days in September,” said Gayle. “That’s when we all get sick because we haven’t been around the germs all summer.” She handed Nikki a box of Kleenex from a shelf.
    Dusty nodded. “And then we all claim to be sick the last month of school because we can’t wait for it to be summer.”
    Nikki blew her nose and laughed at the same time. “Things they don’t teach you in the Education department at Trench.”
    “That’s why you need us,” said Gayle. “Go home, Nikki. I’ve got my prep period after lunch. I’ll get you covered.”
    “Really?”
    “Really. Are your lesson plans legible?” asked Gayle.
    Nikki considered. “I’m introducing Emerson and—”
    “I’ve taught that unit a million times. Trust me. I’ll