Game for Marriage by Karen Erickson

her heart. “What are you talking about?”
    “Don’t play dumb with me, Sheridan. There’ve been stories about Jared finding some secret woman. Then I see the little mention on that horrendous gossip site that they dug up a marriage license. And your freaking name is on it!”
    Oh. Shit. “Um, well…”
    “Don’t hem and haw to me, sister. So did you really marry him? Is TMZ lying?”
    “We, uh…” Sheridan swallowed hard. “We got married two days ago.”
    A moment of scary silence fell just before her friend exploded. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me! I’ve been beside myself. I’m your best friend and you couldn’t even tell me?”
    “I’m sorry, it’s just—it’s been a complete whirlwind since I met Jared.” That wasn’t a lie. She felt like she’d been on a roller coaster ride from the moment she first saw him.
    “I’ll say.” Willow snorted. “I’m assuming the two of you will be at the restaurant opening tonight?”
    “We will. It’s our first public appearance.” She smoothed a hand down the gold-sequined dress she bought just for the occasion. Did she look stupid? Was it too flashy? And should she wear her hair down or up?
    “Perfect. We’ll talk then.” Willow paused, inhaled sharply. “Are you in love with him, Sheridan? You’ve known him, what? A couple of weeks?”
    Approximately. But who was counting? “It was love at first sight.” Funny how that lie fell so easily from her lips.
    “Huh. Well, he fucks up in any way, he’ll answer to me.”
    “You sound like a mob boss,” Sheridan accused with a nervous laugh. God, she sounded lame. Willow’s reaction made her more nervous than even her mother’s. Willow was sharp, savvy. Willow’s father, who negotiated the damn deal for the love of God—had taught her to trust no one. Valid, though jaded advice.
    “Hmm, well I don’t want to see you get hurt, especially by that womanizing jackass. Oh, hey, by the way. So is it as big as a twenty-two ouncer?”
    Sheridan’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment. “Ha! Like I’d ever tell.”
    “Can’t even give me that, huh?” Willow laughed. “Hopefully he knows how to use it. He must if he got you to get married within two weeks of meeting him.”
    God. He so knew how to use it. Very, very well. Not that she’d ever get the chance to experience him using it on her again.
    “I don’t kiss and tell,” Sheridan said primly.
    “Since when?” Willow sounded incredulous.
    “Since I fell madly in love with Jared Quinn.”
    There was a too-long moment of silence, so long Sheridan started to squirm. She could practically feel Willow’s brain churning with questions. “Is this for real, Sher? You can be honest with me. I won’t tell a soul, I swear.”
    Sheridan collapsed on the bed, closing her eyes the moment her head hit the fluffy-as-a-cloud pillows. That Jared Quinn knew how to live. The man owned the very best in everything. “It’s real, I promise.”
    She hated lying to her friend. And man, how she wished she could tell Willow the truth. But she couldn’t. She’d signed an agreement and she had to stick to it. It didn’t matter if it was her best friend. She owed it to Jared, and she owed it to herself to stick to the contract.
    “You love him.”
    Her eyes popping open, she stared at the ceiling. “Tremendously.”
    “And he loves you.”
    “So much, it’s sickening.” Sheridan rolled her eyes at herself.
    “He’d better look at you like you’re the most beautiful woman in the world tonight. I see one crack in the illusion and I’m calling you out.”
    Sheridan sat up quickly. “Please don’t make a scene at the restaurant, Will. This night is really important to Jared and I don’t want anything to mess it up.”
    “Chill. I wouldn’t call you out in public. I’m sure this night is very important to the both of you, being your first appearance as a married couple and all.” Willow sighed. “I wish you would’ve at least had a