The Temporary Wife Read Online Free Page A

Jason’s father got involved, painting Meg as a gold-digging slut, everyone went crazy. Hell,
he
went crazy.
    The Rossis packed and moved off the estate, and Jason didn’t see Meg for years. He saw her when his sister married, and then again the other night, but that was all. He would have seen her at Grace’s funeral if he hadn’t been stranded halfway around the world. He still hadn’t forgiven himself for not being there. He didn’t know if he ever would. So maybe protecting Meg, and making sure Molly was secure, was a way for him to make up for being the absentee brother. Maybe it was a way for him to make things up to Meg, as well.
    He had to convince her.
    “Kevin’s intentions are good, Meg, but you’re going to need more than a defense. You have to show them Molly will have a stable family.”
    “How is it stable if it’s a lie? How is it stable if
you’re
there?”
    “Meg, you know I’m right.”
    “You can’t be right. I can’t just give up my whole life—”
    “We have to. For a little while.
For Grace.
”
    He knew Meg would do anything for Grace and that bringing his sister into this argument wasn’t fair, but he had to convince her. Mentioning Grace seemed to do it.
    When Meg looked up, her green eyes shimmering, her expression resigned, he knew it would be okay. She nodded and then turned, tripping just a little on the edge of the alphabet rug on the floor and Jason felt himself smile.
    “I’ll come by your house later and we can talk this through,” he said.
    “Okay. We’re having pizza for dinner. You might as well come then. You can spend some time with Molly.”
    “Oh, ah, all right. Can I bring anything?”
    “No.” Meg shook her head. “We’ll eat about six.”
    She’d regrouped, steeling herself against the emotions he knew had to be swirling through her.
    But before he turned to leave, to leave this world of children and get back to work, he looked once more into her eyes, and actually thought about what Meg must have been going through. She’d lost her best friend, was raising a child, and now had to face losing the life she’d built for herself. Even if it was temporary, she must be resentful. Things his family had done had wreaked havoc on the Rossi family in the past, and now, once again, her family was taking a hit for his.
    ***
    “Molly, come here and let me do your hair.”
    Jason was due at the house in ten minutes, and she’d just gotten Molly out of her post–soccer practice bath. Of course, the little girl wasn’t interested in doing anything but chasing the cat.
    And Moe Kitty wasn’t interested in being caught.
    “Why doesn’t Moe want to be friends?” Molly asked, shuffling into the room.
    Meg wanted to tell her it was because cats were assholes, kind of like men. They were cute and warm and would cuddle, but they did it on their terms. If they wanted to be left alone, they’d run like hell.
    “Sit still for a second while I braid your hair. Your uncle will be here soon.”
    Meg started working Molly’s long dark hair into a pretty French braid. She was fidgeting, and every noise had the child craning her neck for the cat, but eventually Meg secured the elastic and let her young charge go cat hunting again.
    In the eight months that Molly had been living here, Meg had learned a lot. Mostly that her very predictable life was no longer predictable. She was at the mercy of another person, and it required more than a little patience, especially since Molly was going through some major adjustments. Not that Meg would do anything differently. Taking care of Grace’s daughter was a gift, a way to keep her friend with her forever.
    Meg walked to the kitchen and got herself a glass of water and listened to Molly sing along with one of her favorite videos. Jason was going to be here in a few minutes, and then she’d have to face yet another change in her life.
    There had to be another way. Marrying seemed extreme, but part of her, a very small part,