Free Accidentally Married by Victorine E. Lieske

too stunned to make a sound, her throat closing. Red flamed Patricia’s cheeks. “That’s not why—”
    “You don’t have to explain to me, hon.”
    Jared came back with a glass of ice water and gave it to Veronica. “Here you go.”
    She took a small sip. “Thank you, darling. You’re a life saver.” She brazenly kissed him on the cheek. “I must be going now. I’ll show myself out.” She handed him the glass and sashayed out of the room.
    Everyone seemed to be in a trance until the front door slammed.
    “Of all the…” Patricia rounded on Jared. “Why did you let her in here?”
    “Don’t be rude. Just because you don’t like her—”
    “Don’t like her? You should have heard what she said. She’s mean, Jared.”
    He frowned. “She was pleasant. You shouldn’t let past quarrels get in the way of how you treat people.”
    Patricia huffed. “Why was she even here?”
    Irene came into the room and set her purse down on a chair. “I take it that was Veronica?”
    Jared cleared his throat. “Yes. She stopped by. I guess she saw me out shopping so she knew I was in town.”
    Patricia rolled her eyes. “Great. I suppose you invited her to the wedding?”
    “What was I supposed to do? She’s an old friend.”
    Patricia muttered something under her breath and stomped out of the room.
    Jared looked so uncomfortable, Madison decided not to ask any questions. It wasn’t like she really was his fiancée, anyway. None of her business. So what if he was into this Vanessa, or whatever her name was. She didn’t care.
    She peered up at Jared and noted his strong jawline and high cheekbones. He really was a handsome man. And he deserved to find happiness. There was no reason he shouldn’t be involved with someone.
    Then why did she feel this unbearable jealousy streaming through her?
     
    Chapter 9

    J ared stood at the sink, brushing his teeth. The bathroom door was closed, the only thing separating him from Madison. She was in the guest bedroom changing into some of Irene’s silky nightwear. He tried not to think about it…just kept scrubbing away. After he had the cleanest teeth in town, he rinsed, spit, and dried off his face.
    Was she done changing? He didn’t want to barge in on her. He paced the bathroom for a minute, then tentatively knocked on the door.
    “Come in,” her soft voice called.
    He opened the bathroom door. She was in the bed, the covers tucked up to her neck, and laying so close to the edge she had to have one cheek off.
    He suppressed a laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
    Relief flooded her face. “Thanks.”
    The closet contained a quilt and an extra pillow, which he plopped down in the floor next to the bed. He smoothed out the quilt, then sat down. Not very comfortable, but it was the honorable thing to do.
    “Nice pajamas,” she said with a giggle in her voice. She was peering down at him over the edge of the bed, her hair falling forward, a cute half-grin on her face.
    Jared looked down at the dark blue material. It wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t have orange fish with kissy lips all over it. “Yeah. I’m sure Dad gave me these to embarrass me.”
    “Where does one even purchase fish pajamas?”
    He chuckled. “Off the half-price rack, I’m sure.”
    Her laughter bubbled up, and Jared realized he liked the sound. She didn’t politely twitter like many of the girls he’d dated. She wasn’t afraid to let it loose. The sound comforted him. Let him know she wasn’t trying to hold back. She was being real with him.
    He climbed under the blanket and tried to find a comfortable position on the pillow. She propped her head up with her hand, her elbow on the bed. Her gaze flickered over him.
    “What?”
    “Nothing. Just wondering what you were like as a kid. You’re so serious most of the time. Surely you weren’t always like that.”
    “I’m not serious. I’m practical. There’s a difference. And yes, I was practical as a kid.”
    She