If nerves could be bottled, Leah was certain she could power a small city.

She checked her reflection in the mirror one last time - soft curls, neutral lipstick, the black dress Adrian's assistant had delivered that morning with a note that simply read, "Dinner. 7 p.m. Dress code: elegant."

Elegant. Right. The last "elegant" event Leah had attended was a hospital fundraiser where she'd spilled champagne on her supervisor.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Adrian:

> Driver's outside. Don't be late, Mrs. Blake.

Leah rolled her eyes. "Bossy much," she muttered, grabbing her clutch and heading out.

---

The car ride to the Blakes' estate felt like something out of a movie - long driveway, manicured hedges, and a mansion that could easily double as a luxury hotel. Leah stared out the window, trying to ignore the knot forming in her stomach.

"This is ridiculous," she whispered to herself. "Just smile, be polite, and don't faint."

The driver opened her door, and there he was. Adrian stood on the steps in a charcoal suit that looked tailored by angels. He checked his watch again - of course he did - before turning toward her.

"You're on time," he said, sounding almost surprised.

"Try not to sound so shocked," she said, stepping out.

His eyes flicked over her briefly - assessing, approving, maybe even impressed. "You clean up well."

"Gee, thanks," she said flatly. "You make it sound like I usually crawl out of dumpsters."

His lips twitched. "I meant it as a compliment."

She gave a small huff and followed him up the stairs.

---

Inside, the house was a museum of perfection - gleaming floors, crystal chandeliers, and artwork that probably had its own insurance policy. Leah tried not to gawk, but her eyes betrayed her.

"You live here?" she whispered.

"My grandmother does," Adrian said. "I have an apartment downtown. Less... dramatic."

"'Dramatic' is one word for it. 'Castle' might be another."

Before he could respond, a voice floated from the grand staircase - warm, commanding, and utterly delighted.

"Adrian! And this must be my new granddaughter!"

Leah turned, and there she was - Eleanor Blake - the kind of woman who could run a company, a family, and possibly a small country without breaking a sweat. Her silver hair was swept into an elegant chignon, pearls gleaming against a tailored navy gown.

Leah smiled nervously. "Mrs. Blake, it's such a pleasure-"

"Oh, nonsense," Eleanor interrupted, taking both her hands. "Call me Grandmother. We're family now."

Leah blinked. "Right. Grandmother."

Adrian gave a faint cough, clearly suppressing amusement.

---

Dinner was served in a dining room large enough to host a wedding reception. Leah sat between Adrian and Eleanor, who seemed determined to learn everything about her new "granddaughter."

"So, Leah," Eleanor began, ladling soup with graceful precision. "Adrian tells me you're a nurse. How wonderful! You must have such a kind heart."

Leah smiled, trying to appear composed. "I like to think so. Though sometimes my heart's just tired."

Eleanor laughed softly. "Honesty. How refreshing. Adrian could use a little more of that."

Leah risked a glance at him. "Oh, I don't know. He's very... straightforward."

"Stubborn," Eleanor corrected.

"Focused," Adrian countered smoothly.

Leah added, "Control freak."

Eleanor's laughter filled the room. "You two are perfect."

Leah nearly choked on her soup. Adrian shot her a warning glance that clearly said, Don't ruin this.

---

Halfway through dinner, Leah started to relax - at least until Eleanor said, "So, how did you two meet?"

The spoon froze halfway to Leah's mouth.

Adrian didn't flinch. Of course he didn't. The man probably had backup stories for backup stories.

"At city hall," he said smoothly. "I was signing documents for my firm, and Leah was there-"

"Filing for a marriage certificate," Leah blurted before she could stop herself.

Eleanor gasped, delighted. "Love at first sight?"

Leah blinked. "Um-"

Adrian cut in, "Something like that."

Eleanor clasped her hands together. "How romantic! I always knew you'd find someone unexpected, Adrian. The universe has a way of surprising us."

Leah forced a laugh, praying her face didn't look as guilty as she felt.

---

Dessert arrived - something French and delicate that Leah was afraid to touch. As she toyed with her fork, she felt a nudge against her hand. Adrian's.

She glanced up, startled.

Eleanor was watching them with an indulgent smile. Adrian leaned in slightly, voice low. "Smile," he murmured through his teeth.

Leah's pulse jumped. "You're enjoying this way too much," she whispered back.

He didn't deny it. His thumb brushed her hand, just once, before pulling away.

The gesture was simple - necessary, even - but Leah felt her stomach twist all the same.

---

After dinner, Eleanor insisted on a photo "for the family album." Leah stood beside Adrian, trying to ignore how close he was - the faint scent of his cologne, the warmth radiating from his arm.

Eleanor positioned them expertly. "Closer, darlings. Yes, like that. Oh, Adrian, put your arm around her - perfect!"

The photographer snapped the shot. Leah exhaled, willing her heart to calm down.

When it was finally over, Eleanor kissed her cheek. "I'm so happy you're part of the family, dear. Don't let him work too much."

"I'll try," Leah said softly.

"Good girl. And Adrian," Eleanor added, turning to him, "I expect you both at the charity gala next week. I want everyone to meet your lovely wife."

Leah's smile faltered. "Gala?"

Adrian gave a tight smile. "Wouldn't miss it."

---

Outside, the cool night air hit Leah like relief. She folded her arms and turned to him. "You didn't mention a gala."

"It slipped my mind."

"Slipped-Adrian!" she hissed. "I can't go to some high-society event pretending to be Mrs. Perfect! I don't even own shoes that won't murder my feet after two hours!"

He looked at her, calm as ever. "Then I'll buy you a pair."

"That's not the point!"

"Then what is?"

She hesitated. "The point is... I don't belong in your world."

Something flickered in his expression - just for a second. "Maybe not," he said quietly, "but tonight, you handled yourself better than most people I know."

Leah blinked, caught off guard. "Was that... a compliment?"

His lips curved. "Don't let it go to your head."

She sighed, climbing into the car. "You're impossible."

"And yet," he murmured, holding the door for her, "you agreed to marry me."

Leah shot him a look. "By accident."

He smiled faintly, the corner of his mouth lifting in that maddeningly confident way. "Accidents can be... interesting."

As the car pulled away, Leah stared out the window, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest.

Six weeks, she told herself. Just six weeks.

So why did it already feel like trouble?

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Leah had seen chaos before - emergency shifts, triage lines, adrenaline and fear mixed in the air - but none of it compared to the chaos brewing inside her head every time Adrian Blake looked at her like that.

It had been three days since the dinner at his grandmother's mansion, and the memory refused to fade: the way he'd slipped his hand over hers at the table, the warmth of his voice when he'd said, Smile.

She'd told herself it was part of the act.

It was just pretend.

But her pulse hadn't gotten the memo.

---

The hospital corridor hummed with beeping monitors and hurried footsteps. Leah was halfway through a double shift when her phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number.

She almost ignored it - until she saw the message:

> We need to talk. – A.B.

She rolled her eyes, typing back between patient charts.

> I'm literally saving lives. Talk later.

A minute later, another buzz:

> I'll send lunch. Consider it an apology.

Leah frowned. "Apology for what?" she muttered aloud, but an hour later, when the receptionist wheeled in a catered tray with her name on it - complete with pasta, salad, and a small note that said, For the world's busiest nurse – Adrian - she found herself smiling anyway.

"Who's Adrian?" asked Nurse Bella, raising a teasing eyebrow.

Leah's ears burned. "Just... a mistake I married."

Bella nearly dropped a syringe. "You what?"

"Long story," Leah said quickly, tucking the note away. "Let's just say it involves city hall, the wrong form, and a very confused clerk."

Bella grinned. "Girl, if he's sending you gourmet food, that's not confusion - that's interest."

Leah tried to laugh it off. "Trust me, Adrian Blake doesn't do interest. He does control, contracts, and caffeine."

But the warmth in her chest betrayed her words.

---

Later that evening, she was walking out of the hospital when she saw him - leaning against a sleek black car like he'd stepped out of a magazine.

"Adrian?" she asked, startled. "What are you doing here?"

"Picking up my wife," he said smoothly.

She stared. "You could've texted."

"I did. You ignored half of them."

She crossed her arms. "Some of us work twelve-hour shifts, you know."

He opened the car door. "Then you deserve dinner. My treat."

Leah hesitated. "Is this... about the gala?"

"Yes," he said, too quickly. "Among other things."

That "other things" hung in the air, heavy and unspoken.

---

The restaurant he took her to was quiet and dimly lit, with soft jazz playing and candles flickering on every table. Leah tugged at her scrubs self-consciously.

"I could've changed, you know," she said.

"You look fine," Adrian replied, not even glancing at the menu.

"Fine?" she echoed. "That's not exactly flattering."

He looked up then, his gaze steady. "You look... real. It's refreshing."

Leah blinked. For a man who spoke mostly in bullet points and legal jargon, that sounded dangerously close to sincere.

They ordered. Conversation drifted from hospital chaos to his latest client scandal, and somewhere between laughter and dessert, the edges between fake and real began to blur.

---

When the waiter left, Adrian leaned back, watching her. "You handled my grandmother well," he said. "She likes you."

Leah smiled faintly. "She's wonderful. Terrifying, but wonderful."

"She's already planning the gala seating chart around us," he said dryly.

"Oh no," Leah groaned. "We're becoming an event."

He chuckled - a rare, quiet sound that made her chest tighten. "It's only temporary."

"Right. Six weeks," she said softly, though the number suddenly felt smaller than before.

He hesitated. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

His jaw flexed. "Unless it takes longer to sort the paperwork."

Leah studied him. "You mean delay the annulment?"

"Just for convenience," he said, but his voice didn't sound convinced. "The gala's next week. The media will be there. It would look... inconsistent."

"Uh-huh." She folded her arms, smirking. "Convenience. Sure. Not because you enjoy torturing me."

"Only a little," he said, eyes glinting.

---

The air between them shifted - quieter, charged. Leah reached for her glass, trying to steady her thoughts. "You really think your grandmother won't figure this out eventually?"

"She might," he admitted. "But by then, I'll have explained. Or... maybe she'll convince you to stay married for real."

Leah nearly choked on her drink. "Excuse me?"

He smiled faintly. "Relax, Leah. I'm joking."

But he wasn't smiling like it was a joke.

And that terrified her more than she wanted to admit.

---

Back at her apartment, he walked her to the door. She fumbled with her keys, hyper-aware of how close he was.

"Thanks for dinner," she said, her voice soft.

He nodded. "You're welcome."

There was a pause - the kind that buzzed in the air, full of things neither wanted to say.

Finally, she blurted, "You don't have to keep doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Showing up. Buying food. Playing husband."

He tilted his head, studying her. "Maybe I like playing husband."

Leah's breath caught. "You're impossible."

"Maybe," he said quietly, stepping closer, "but you haven't told me to stop."

Her heartbeat stuttered. He was so close now she could see the flecks of gray in his eyes, the faint shadow of a smile tugging at his lips.

For one dangerous second, she didn't move.

Then her phone buzzed - loud, sharp, reality crashing back.

She stepped back quickly. "I... should go."

Adrian nodded once, the mask slipping back into place. "Of course. Goodnight, Leah."

She watched him leave, heart still racing.

---

Inside, she sank onto her couch and stared at the ceiling. What was happening to her? This wasn't supposed to feel like anything. It was supposed to be fake. Safe. Simple.

But nothing about Adrian Blake felt simple.

And when her phone buzzed again, she didn't have to check who it was.

> You left your cardigan in the car.

I'll bring it tomorrow.

She typed back before she could stop herself.

> You don't have to.

> I know.

She stared at the screen, that simple reply making her pulse race all over again.

Six weeks.

It was supposed to be six weeks.

But for the first time, Leah wasn't sure either of them could keep pretending that long.

---

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Leah's morning started with coffee, chaos, and a notification that nearly made her drop both.

Her phone screen blazed with a headline she hadn't expected to see - or survive:

> "Adrian Blake Secretly Married? Mystery Wife Revealed!"

Exclusive photo from family dinner confirms Blake's new bride.

Below the headline was a photo - her photo - smiling beside Adrian at his grandmother's table. His arm was around her, her hand in his, eyes bright under the chandelier.

"Oh no," Leah breathed, setting the mug down before her trembling hands could make it worse. "Oh no, no, no."

Her phone buzzed again. Bella, her fellow nurse.

> LEAH CARTER. YOU'RE ON THE NEWS. ARE YOU DATING ADRIAN BLAKE?!

> It's not what it looks like, Leah typed, deleting and rewriting three times. Then she gave up and tossed the phone onto the couch.

Her stomach twisted. It wasn't supposed to be public. They'd agreed - six quiet weeks, annulment, done. No scandal. No headlines.

So how had the entire city suddenly decided she was Mrs. Blake for real?

---

The knock on her door came sharp and fast. Leah opened it to find Adrian standing there, looking like a man who'd just stepped out of a storm.

"Good morning," she said weakly. "Or should I say, congratulations, husband?"

He held up his phone. "I'm assuming you've seen this."

"Oh, you mean my glamorous debut as your accidental wife? Hard to miss."

His jaw tightened. "It was leaked. Someone at the gala committee must've sent it to the press."

Leah crossed her arms. "So now the entire internet thinks we're madly in love. That's fun."

"This isn't funny, Leah."

"No, it's ironic," she shot back. "You wanted a fake marriage to protect your image - and now your image has exploded!"

He exhaled sharply, pacing her small living room. "We can contain it. I'll have my PR team issue a statement."

"Great. What'll it say? 'Oops, sorry everyone, clerical error - my wife's just a temporary glitch'?"

He stopped pacing, eyes flashing. "That's not what I'd say."

"Then what will you say, Adrian?" she asked quietly.

He hesitated, and that silence told her everything. He didn't know.

---

They ended up at his office, where his assistant, Natalie, was already fielding calls like a pro.

"The phones haven't stopped ringing," Natalie said, handing Adrian a stack of printed articles. "Every outlet wants a comment. Your grandmother's on line three, and-"

"I'll call her later," Adrian said.

"Sir, she's called five times."

"Later," he repeated.

Leah glanced around the sleek boardroom, feeling painfully out of place in her scrubs. "Do you want me to wait outside?"

"No," Adrian said. "You're part of this now."

"Lucky me," she murmured.

He gave her a look that almost softened - almost. "Sit. Please."

---

The next hour was a blur of damage control. Adrian spoke to his PR manager, his legal counsel, and someone from a lifestyle magazine that was already drafting a "Top Ten Power Couples" feature.

Leah sat silently, trying not to hyperventilate.

Finally, when the chaos dimmed, she said softly, "Your grandmother's going to find out, isn't she?"

"She already has," Adrian said grimly. "She's thrilled."

"Of course she is." Leah rubbed her temples. "What now?"

He looked at her, that calculating spark back in his eyes - the one that always meant trouble. "We make it real."

Leah blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Publicly," he clarified. "Temporarily. We confirm the marriage and keep up appearances until things die down."

"Adrian, that's insane. You want to lie to the entire city?"

He leaned forward. "Do you want reporters showing up at your hospital? Your friends' homes? They will, if we don't control the story."

Her stomach dropped. He was right - and he knew it.

"So what, we play perfect newlyweds?" she said.

He met her gaze, steady and unflinching. "For a little while, yes."

---

Later that evening, Leah found herself standing in front of a sea of cameras, lights flashing like a lightning storm.

Adrian's PR team had arranged a "brief appearance" to confirm the marriage. She hadn't agreed so much as been swept along by the inevitability of it all.

He stepped up to the microphones, voice smooth as ever. "Thank you for respecting our privacy. Yes, the marriage is real - and we'd appreciate space as we navigate this new chapter."

Flash. Flash. Flash.

Leah blinked against the lights, forcing a calm smile. Adrian's hand brushed hers, grounding her - steady, reassuring.

Someone shouted, "How did you two meet?"

Leah froze. Adrian squeezed her hand gently, then answered, "Unexpectedly."

The crowd laughed, charmed. Leah exhaled, remembering their first disastrous meeting at city hall.

Yeah. Unexpected was one word for it.

---

When they finally escaped into the car, Leah collapsed against the seat. "I can't believe we just did that."

Adrian loosened his tie. "Welcome to the spotlight."

She turned to him, incredulous. "You're enjoying this."

"I'm managing it," he corrected.

"Managing? You just told the entire press we're really married!"

"We are married," he said quietly.

"That's not the point!"

His gaze met hers, calm and infuriatingly unreadable. "Maybe it is."

Leah stared at him, her heart thudding. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying," he murmured, "that pretending doesn't feel so simple anymore."

Silence settled between them - heavy, charged. The city lights flickered past, reflections dancing across his face.

"Adrian..." she began, but her voice faltered.

He turned away first, his jaw tight. "Don't overthink it. It's just strategy."

"Right," she said softly. "Strategy."

But deep down, Leah knew strategy didn't make her heart race every time he looked at her like that.

---

When they pulled up outside her apartment, she reached for the door handle, desperate for air.

"Leah," Adrian said, his voice low.

She looked back. "What?"

He hesitated, then said, "You handled yourself well today."

She managed a small smile. "Guess I'm getting used to being your accidental wife."

"Accidental," he repeated, like the word meant more than it should.

Then, before she could respond, he leaned forward - close enough that she caught the faint scent of his cologne again, familiar now, unsettlingly so.

His lips brushed her cheek, soft, fleeting, but it sent her pulse racing.

"Goodnight," he said, pulling back like nothing had happened.

Leah sat frozen as he stepped out of the car, every thought tangled.

Because that hadn't felt fake.

Not even a little.

---

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