“Because, darling, it’s not real. It’s just playing pretend for a few months.” I touch her knee. “And I do think playing with you will be particularly fun.”
“This is not about fun!” she almost shouts as she pulls her knee away.
I haven’t really been thinking about the fun either.
I’ve been thinking about my family…my mother…everything else. The past. The very precarious present.
More than that, I can’t get the sight of my P.I.’s report detailing the sad state of Janie’s bank account out of my mind. She needs this. Badly.
“No, it’s about financial ruin. Both mine and yours. I know you’ve run the numbers and you need the cash or you wouldn’t have agreed in the first place.”
“But I have a plan for that, I’m making money, I’m saving. There are other ways to fix it. Slower, I guess but something other than a marriage contract, there—” she rambles, shaking her head violently. Her hands are shaking too. I grab them.
“There are. And you can do it on your own. But contractual marriages exist because they’re smart. Quick. Beneficial. I’m a wealthy, privileged,very handsomebastard in need of help. Use me, love. Take advantage of me, my position. Just a year and you’ll be completely set. Three hundred and sixty-five days.” She sniffs and looks up at me, her resolve weakening. “And only thefirst ninety of those, between now and new years, those are the only days that really matter.”
“Seventy-eight,” she corrects absently.
“Best to start them now, then. Let’s sign these, get the chapel bit over with, quick kiss photo for the paparazzi, and you’re back in bed by 8 pm.” As if on cue, her stomach rumbles. “Okay, dinner first and then in bed by 9.” One corner of her mouth twitches and I can tell I’ve almost got her. “Don’t make me bring up sweet Gran and the monthly cost of her room and board.”
Her mouth lifts even more, “You really are a bastard.”
“Handsome. Handsome bastard.” I quit while I’m ahead and hand her the pen.
“No kiss photo,” she adds as she takes the pen and signs. As she does, something coiled tight in my chest releases at the sight. She’s in this. With me. I fight the giant smile trying to explode across my face. Don’t want to spook her.
I’m not sure why I’m so excited right now but I’ve got to rein it in or she’ll change her mind.
I’m almost buzzing. Even though marriage is definitely not my dream come true. Plus, my blushing bride will not make the next seventy-something days easy on me.
But I’ve bested my father at his cruel game. I’m saving my family the heartache. I’m saving Janie and her Gran.
Nah, it’s none of that.
It’s the thrill.
I am an adventure seeker through and through, and this is possibly the greatest one I’ve embarked on. I know with this woman, this smart, funny and brutally gorgeous woman, there will hardly be a dull moment. Well, betwixt the hours of 8am and 8pm, when she’ll want to be tucked away. I chuckle at how opposite we are. Makes this whole thing even more interesting.
The grin I’ve been fighting takes over as I accept the pen from her slender hands.
I’m only human.
And she’s already signed on the line.
_____
“Ten minutes and it’s done. Day one begins, seventy-seven to go.” She looks starkly out of place in this old chapel lobby. She fidgets nervously with the horrid fake bouquet that the so-called wedding planner handed her, so I add, “Only three hundred and sixty-four until you’re a multi-millionaire.”
“Uh huh,” she says, startling at the sound of an organ.
“Alright, time for the groom to slip inside before the bride’s grand entrance down the aisle!” the planner chirps.
“Bride,” Janie mutters. She gives me a fake smile. “Happy wedding day.”
“It’s not real, love. You’ll have a real wedding someday.” I make my eyes wide and put up a hand to whisper dramatically, “And just think of the budget you’ll have to pay for it!”
“Go,” she says.
I pause.
