Calling Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 2) by Leah Atwood Page B
Authors: Leah Atwood
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started. This incredibly awkward situation was the penalty for not listening to himself.
“May I have a word with you?” Anna grabbed Madison’s arm and yanked her inside, not giving her a choice.
To be a fly on that wall.
Gian looked at him, his eyes subtly widening as though he’d only then realized Archer was there. “Who are you?”
“Just the mechanic who fixed Madison’s tire.” Jealousy, to which he held no right, ran rampant. “She’s driving on a spare, so I wanted to make sure she arrived safely. Please remind her to drive very slowly on it.”
“I will.” Gian stared down his nose at him and retrieved his wallet. He handed Archer a twenty. “This is for your extra time and care.”
He pushed the money away. “Keep it. I was just doing my job.”
Gian shrugged, but returned the bill to his wallet. “Have a good evening.”
The dismissal rang loud and clear. No sense sticking around where he wasn’t wanted. “Same to you.” He tipped his chin and left.
As he drove away, crushing disappointment weighed him down. He’d never felt so belittled, not even on that horrid date from several years ago. The entire encounter highlighted the differences between him and Madison. From all appearances, her family had money. The neighborhood Anna lived in was the ritziest in all Maryville. All the vehicles in the driveway except his and Madison’s were luxury models from expensive makers.
And Gian. His obvious disdain for the working class made him feel lower than pond scum. Insecurity wasn’t typically an issue for him, except when it came to money. He didn’t mind that he wasn’t wealthy, and was proud of the work he did, but he hated when anyone made him feel less of a person because of his career. Just when he’d gotten over it with Madison, tonight’s fiasco occurred.
He shouldn’t have left without telling her bye, but he couldn’t stand to stick around and hear her half-hearted, piteous pleas to stay. Being the fifth wheel didn’t invoke much fun for him, and he’d rather spend the evening with Gran and Landon than sit by his wife during a dinner at which no one knew they were married and expected her to show interest toward another man.
A fake fiancé was the second dumbest idea he’d ever had. The first was entering a marriage of convenience. Four months was a long time to continue this sham marriage. He’d call Madison tomorrow and ask for the annulment now. He’d tell Gran she’d been called away on business and would be gone a minimum of a month. That would buy him time to think of something else to tell her.
As soon as the annulment was finalized, he wouldn’t have to see Madison again. The hollowness in his heart grew. The ache in his chest spoke too loudly to ignore. This wasn’t what he wanted, but it was for the best. They came from different worlds. He’d never be able to offer her all that Gian could. Not that he thought Gian deserved her—she was much too humble and kind hearted for an arrogant man like him.
In a funk, he drove home instead of to the hospital. Gran needed optimism and good cheer, and he didn’t think he’d be able to muster any tonight. If she’d been alone, he would have gone, but Landon was there.
He went inside to an empty house. I should get a dog . Too bad he wasn’t home often enough to take care of one. He tossed his keys on the counter and grabbed the box of leftover pizza from the refrigerator. Lifting a slice to his mouth, he took a bite. Cold pizza was his ultimate comfort food.
Three slices and a full stomach later he crushed the empty box and threw it in the dumpster outside. Needing mindless activity, he threw a load of laundry in the wash and escaped into the weight room. He was adding five pounds to the bar when the doorbell rang.
At the front door, he held an eye to the peephole. Madison? Why was she here? A fierce scowl sharpened the lines of her face.
He opened the door.
“You have a lot of nerve,” she
“May I have a word with you?” Anna grabbed Madison’s arm and yanked her inside, not giving her a choice.
To be a fly on that wall.
Gian looked at him, his eyes subtly widening as though he’d only then realized Archer was there. “Who are you?”
“Just the mechanic who fixed Madison’s tire.” Jealousy, to which he held no right, ran rampant. “She’s driving on a spare, so I wanted to make sure she arrived safely. Please remind her to drive very slowly on it.”
“I will.” Gian stared down his nose at him and retrieved his wallet. He handed Archer a twenty. “This is for your extra time and care.”
He pushed the money away. “Keep it. I was just doing my job.”
Gian shrugged, but returned the bill to his wallet. “Have a good evening.”
The dismissal rang loud and clear. No sense sticking around where he wasn’t wanted. “Same to you.” He tipped his chin and left.
As he drove away, crushing disappointment weighed him down. He’d never felt so belittled, not even on that horrid date from several years ago. The entire encounter highlighted the differences between him and Madison. From all appearances, her family had money. The neighborhood Anna lived in was the ritziest in all Maryville. All the vehicles in the driveway except his and Madison’s were luxury models from expensive makers.
And Gian. His obvious disdain for the working class made him feel lower than pond scum. Insecurity wasn’t typically an issue for him, except when it came to money. He didn’t mind that he wasn’t wealthy, and was proud of the work he did, but he hated when anyone made him feel less of a person because of his career. Just when he’d gotten over it with Madison, tonight’s fiasco occurred.
He shouldn’t have left without telling her bye, but he couldn’t stand to stick around and hear her half-hearted, piteous pleas to stay. Being the fifth wheel didn’t invoke much fun for him, and he’d rather spend the evening with Gran and Landon than sit by his wife during a dinner at which no one knew they were married and expected her to show interest toward another man.
A fake fiancé was the second dumbest idea he’d ever had. The first was entering a marriage of convenience. Four months was a long time to continue this sham marriage. He’d call Madison tomorrow and ask for the annulment now. He’d tell Gran she’d been called away on business and would be gone a minimum of a month. That would buy him time to think of something else to tell her.
As soon as the annulment was finalized, he wouldn’t have to see Madison again. The hollowness in his heart grew. The ache in his chest spoke too loudly to ignore. This wasn’t what he wanted, but it was for the best. They came from different worlds. He’d never be able to offer her all that Gian could. Not that he thought Gian deserved her—she was much too humble and kind hearted for an arrogant man like him.
In a funk, he drove home instead of to the hospital. Gran needed optimism and good cheer, and he didn’t think he’d be able to muster any tonight. If she’d been alone, he would have gone, but Landon was there.
He went inside to an empty house. I should get a dog . Too bad he wasn’t home often enough to take care of one. He tossed his keys on the counter and grabbed the box of leftover pizza from the refrigerator. Lifting a slice to his mouth, he took a bite. Cold pizza was his ultimate comfort food.
Three slices and a full stomach later he crushed the empty box and threw it in the dumpster outside. Needing mindless activity, he threw a load of laundry in the wash and escaped into the weight room. He was adding five pounds to the bar when the doorbell rang.
At the front door, he held an eye to the peephole. Madison? Why was she here? A fierce scowl sharpened the lines of her face.
He opened the door.
“You have a lot of nerve,” she
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