Arryn spent most of the morning packing and marking furniture items. Instead of Rhys saying her furnishings weren't worth moving, he'd left the choices up to her. Clearly, he was a man who knew how to deal with people.

Last night she'd offered to get a ride so he wouldn't have to come into the city, and then drive back to his parents' home, but he didn't agree. Said it would look odd to make his bride come with someone else.

His tone told her he had a scowl on his face. Not wanting to aggravate him, she consented. If she didn't challenge him on anything, they might at least be amicable to one another.

When he arrived at her apartment, she followed as he walked through and looked at the marked items. "My dad will come and get the things I don't want," she said.

"Looks like that will be most of it."

"Well, your house is so nice, my stuff won't fit in."

"I'll call the moving company and tell them to bring a small truck. You ready to go?"

Her chest tightened. He'd made no idle conversation since arriving. She decided to fish. "Do I look all right?"

He eyed her from top to bottom, and for a moment, she'd seen a flicker of something in his eyes. Approval? Affection? She wasn't sure. Whatever it was disappeared, and his expression went cold again.

"Fine."

Once they got in the car and headed out of town, keeping his eyes on the road and his tone icy, he laid some ground rules. "Nobody knows the circumstances of our situation other than Ace, and I want to keep it that way. I've taken the blame. Said I've known about the baby for months but took a while to decide on where we went from that since we've only been together half a year. As far as my parents are concerned, we're in love, so I expect you to act like it."

That might not be difficult. When she was near him, things happened. Places jittered and jumped. Tightened and tingled. Flamed and fluttered. She gave him her attention again. He continued to spout instructions.

"Your wedding band is a family ring. My mother may mention that, so I want you to be prepared. You should gush over it. With your acting skills, it shouldn't be hard."

Arryn's breath caught against the knot that'd formed in her throat. "I can't do that." The statement came out as a weak whisper.

He glared at her. "It's a little late for you to develop a conscience, don't you think?"

She wagged her head. "It isn't right. If it's been passed down from generation to generation, you should give it to a woman you truly love."

He chuckled without humor. "Given your casual relationship with the truth, one more lie shouldn't matter."

Tears threatened, but she held them back. The hope of civil companionship evaporated. She'd take the ring, but not wear it. Use the excuse of swollen fingers. A family treasure should go to the love of his life, not the liar of his life.

Rhys pulled into the drive. "Wait here, I'll help you get out."

When he helped her out, he slipped his arm around her and pulled her close as if they were a real couple. Forget her. He should be nominated for an Academy Award.

Arryn's knees weakened, and she stumbled. He tightened his grip. "Are you okay?" The question sounded sincere. He was taking the performance to the max. They stepped onto the porch, but before he reached for the knob, the door flew open, and a bright-eyed older version of Accalia grabbed them in a hug.

"Come in! Come in!" She loosened her hold and backed away for a better look. "Arryn! I'm thrilled to meet you." Then her eyes drifted. "May I touch my grandbaby?"

"Uhm. Sure."

Mr. Wakefield joined his wife. With the same blue eyes, he wasn't as tall as Rhys, but just as handsome. Her future mother-in-law laid her hand on the baby bump, and rubbed as if a genie might appear, then looked up with tears brimming. "You have no idea how happy you've made us. We've waited a long time for Rhys to settle down." Then she leaned into Rhys, and he embraced her.

"Okay, Mom. Don't cry. Arryn's doing enough of that for both of you."

Arryn pinched the bridge of her nose to stop the tears. He sounded so natural. Not a single syllable of disgust. The key to her happiness was to keep his mom or dad with her at all times.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Wakefield, Mr. Wakefield."

The older man shook his head. "Call me Hugh."

"And I'm Tawny." She patted Arryn's belly again.

The door opened, and Ace and her crew came in. Her two girls circled Arryn. "Can we call you Ryn?"

"I'd like that. What's your name?"

"I'm Effy, and this is my baby sister, Olive."

Her face turned an angry shade of pink as she huffed, "I'm not a baby! I'm eight years old. You're only nine, so don't call me that!"

"Hey, you two, cool it," their other mother said, then turned to Arryn. "We haven't been introduced, but I feel like I already know you. I'm Val."

Ah, Val, the photographer. The one responsible for my demise. "Nice to meet you."

After a few minutes, the girls ran outside with Val, Hugh went to watch TV and left Arryn alone with Ace and Tawny in the kitchen.

"Ace tells me your dress is gorgeous. I can't wait to see it. Rhys is so nervous." She looked at her daughter. "Can you tell he's nervous?"

"Yeah. A little." She cut her eyes over to Arryn and smiled.

"If y'all will help me get this food on the table, we'll be ready to eat. Have you considered names for the baby?" Tawny handed both women a bowl, took a platter for herself, and headed to the dining room. They followed.

"I guess we need to get serious about that." Arryn set mashed potatoes on the table. She already felt at home in the cozy kitchen. Early afternoon light filtered in through a large bay window. Pots of African violets lined the sill, their delicate flowers poking above dark green leaves like tiny umbrellas.

"Well, I've made a list." Tawny reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a pink paper. "I'm not making a play for any of them, but Rhys said you liked antiques and old fashioned things, so I thought you might want to consider family names."

Arryn blinked in surprise. He'd discussed her with his mother? Maybe there was a chance for them to be more than a necessity. Then reality set in. It was part of the act. He'd want his parents to believe he was taking an active role. Silly me. "That would be nice."

"Oh, and one more thing. Has he mentioned his grandmother's ring?"

Her throat ran dry, but she plastered on what she hoped was a happy smile. "Yes, and I'm excited. Knowing it's been in the family makes it even more special."

"Do you want to see it?"

"Oh...uh...does Rhys want me to?"

"He won't care. Let me get it." She walked down the hallway and, in a minute, returned and handed a small box to Arryn.

Her hands trembled as she popped the lid back. Inside, resting in the velvet slot, was a band with three diamonds surrounded by filigree. "This is beautiful."

"It's platinum, and each diamond is a half-carat. The filigree work is so delicate."

"Why don't you wear it?"

"I did until Hugh gave me this one for our silver wedding anniversary." She wiggled her hand in the air, the big diamond sparkling in the light. "Then I put his grandmother's back in the box until Rhys found someone he wanted to have it. The youngest son gets it. If y'all have any boys, you'll keep the tradition going."

Boys? As in plural? If she knew Rhys didn't believe the truth was in Arryn's vocabulary, and after this baby, they'd part ways, it would take the J out of joy for Tawny.

Arryn wasn't sure how she'd made it through the evening. Other than smiling and nodding, most of the conversation was jumbled words. They were such a close-knit family, and soon, she'd be blamed for messing up everything.

"We've got to go, Mom," Rhys said from the doorway. "I need to stop by the grocery store before we head home."

Arryn closed the album and scooted her chair away from the table. Along with her future mother and sister-in-law, she'd spent the last thirty minutes flipping through family photos with plenty of Rhys' baby pictures.

Once on the road, she looked over at her soon-to-be husband. "You were a beautiful baby. I hope this one has your eyes." She waited for him to say something, but he didn't. "Your mom and dad are nice." When he still didn't respond, she gave up and rode the rest of the way in silence.

Rhys got a spot near the Publix entrance. "Are you coming in or staying in the car?"

She sighed. Clearly, they were no longer pretending to be amicable. "I need a few things, so I'll go."

This time he held the door for her but didn't help her out the way he had when his parents had been watching. Once she was out, he hit the lock on his keyring, and headed inside, not bothering to check if she was behind him. She pulled her jacket tight and followed.

Inside the store, she got a cart and headed for the cereal aisle. When she rounded the corner to the canned goods, a familiar voice called her name. She twisted around, hoping against all hope, she was mistaken. Then she faced her, and three years of wasted time crashed down on her. "What are you doing here?"

Gianna stepped forward to hug her, and she backed away.

"It's good to see you. I'm in town to close on the condo and get the last few things moved."

Heat rose in her cheeks. She'd not considered what she'd say if she saw her again but now blurted the question. "How long were you cheating?"

Her head jerked. "What?"

"Sydney. How long, Gia? Weeks? Months? Not that it matters now, but I'd like to know."

"Arryn..."

She blanched. "Oh. My. God. It'd been the whole time, right?"

Gianna shook her head. "No. Just the last year. I didn't mean for it to happen, and at first, it was nothing, we were just friends. Nothing happened with Syd and me until we broke up. Once I realized the depth of my feelings, I knew it was time to end it with you."

She thrust her open palm out. "Stop! I don't want the details." Hell, at least if Gia had cheated, then Arryn could land the blame entirely on her. She didn't know what was worse, that Gianna left her for a fling or someone she had genuine feelings for. Either way, it still left a dull ache in the pit of her stomach that had nothing to do with her being pregnant.

As if on cue, her eyes wandered to her belly. "Good Lord." She stepped forward and laid her hand on Arryn's stomach. "You're pregnant."

That caused her to laugh. The baby kicked as if to shoo Gia away. "Strong kick. Must be a boy."

"Are you okay?" Rhys's voice boomed from behind Arryn.

Rhys dropped some items into Arryn's basket, then took a step closer and looked down at Gianna. An impressive contrast, Gia's five-nine frame in the shadow of Rhys's six-two.

Gianna pulled her hand away and frowned at Arryn. "And you have the nerve to ask about Sydney? You didn't waste any time. How long had you been seeing him behind my back?"

Before she answered, Rhys looked at her and narrowed his eyes. Then he turned back to Gianna. "We're done here." Rhys wheeled around and pushed the cart down the aisle, taking Arryn with him.

Her heart hammered against her rib cage. She didn't remember checking out or Rhys paying. She didn't recall getting into the car but now sat in stunned silence while putting the bags in the backseat. When he slid behind the wheel, she leaned her head back and took a quick breath. "I wish I had that on film. Do you think the store would give me the footage from their security camera? She was emotionally cheating and then tried to make it my fault. I can't believe I wasted three years of my life with her."

Rhys snapped his head toward her. "You were with her for three years?"

"Yeah. I convinced myself she was The One. Thank God she dumped me, or I'd still be with her." She glanced at Rhys, and he had an odd look. Something between disbelief and happiness. Strange.

He started the car and stared straight ahead. "She's an idiot."

Maybe he's warming up to her.. just a little :P

TEASER: "why didn't you tell me?"

Wonder whats going on there....