“Same,” Michael said before swiveling his seat. “Why are you allowing this woman to get to you?”
“Because she acted as if my request was ridiculous and that I was an arrogant pig.”
“Well, you are an arrogant pig.” He deflected an air punch, still grinning at me like somehow I was off my rocker. “But seriously. Look at your request from her point of view. From what you told me about her company, she achieved moderate success only to find herself in a difficult position. You throw money around like it grows on trees. You’re handsome, at least according to the tabloids.”
“Fuck you again.”
“I’m serious. She’s thinking, why does this stupid jerk not just find a girlfriend all by himself?”
“You know why. Most women are looking for an easy meal ticket. They couldn’t care less who I am other than how much money I have in the bank. They couldn’t care less if we get along or whatI care about and would like to see for the future. The few who aren’t eager to spend their days swigging back martinis by the pool have some other issue keeping them from even agreeing to a date.”
“You mean they have scruples?”
“Exactly.”
“Just like Ms. Blair. Correct me if I’m wrong.” Michael was giving me one of his bro type looks as if his love life was any better than mine.
“Fine. I’ll concede the point.”
“I’m shocked you even bothered with my suggestions.”
Michael had forwarded three of them, two of which I’d tossed out immediately, although the one about perusing the local libraries for the hottest female employee had indeed been creative. “Unless I wanted to use one of the three dozen escort services, several of which disguised themselves as hiring office help, then I am running short on that creativity you mentioned.”
“Well, at least you found a reputable company. That takes me back to my question. What is the real problem?”
Thank God the bartender brought the drinks quickly. My mouth was bone dry. “Since I’d need a pre-nup with strict rules and no room for negotiation, why not hire a fake wife? What’s the problem? She called it unscrupulous.”
“In her eyes it likely is. Maybe she believes in true love. Did you ever think of that?”
“Ha,” I said as I pulled the glass to my lips. “You know as well as I do there’s no such thing.”
“So you gave her until tomorrow to decide. You handled her just like your clients.”
“She would be a client. If she’d get her head out of her ass.”
“No,” Michael corrected. “You’d be her client. If you really feel like you have no other choices, then you need to mend the fence.”
“And how the hell do I do that? Take her to dinner? Fuck her?”
Michael lifted his eyebrows. “This fake marriage will never work.”
“Fuck you.”
He chortled. “Why don’t you at least show her you’re not such a bad guy. Show her the business and yes, maybe take her out for a drink, just to try and break the ice.”
“The business. As in drive her around to the various companies she’ll know I dismantled? My God, the woman will utterly crucify me. That’s not going to win me any points.”
“Then don’t take her to those. Take her to the special place.” He had a wry smile on his face because he knew why it was very special to me. The development was also personal, something my father and I hadn’t seen eye to eye on.
“Fuck. I don’t know.”
“If your conversation with her included you saying she needed to get her head out of her ass, then trust me, you won’t hear from her. Let her see the real you, not the bullshit you’ve perfected and that everyone believes.”
I laughed softly and bitterly to myself as I took another swig, confident I knew what I was talking about. “Not necessary. I’llhear from her. You better believe I will. If I have my way, soon she’ll be eating out of my hands.”
CHAPTER 4
Vanessa
