Sebastian winces, telling me he already knows the answer.
“The will contains a clause prohibiting transfers from any trust, family account, or company shares to any party not meeting the guidelines outlined in the will. If breached, the entire trust can be revoked. He created an ironclad set of guidelines to ensure you followed through with his request.”
“This is complete bullshit!”
“Listen, take a few days to wrap your head around this, and reach out with any questions that come to mind. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.” William stands and walks around the desk. “I suppose wishing you luck is in order.” He shakes my hand, then Sebastian’s. “One year is longer than it sounds. You might be surprised once your mind is open to the idea.”
I’m shaking my head, speechless on the way out.Fucking A. What the hell just happened? I must be in an episode ofThe Twilight Zone. Or did I hit my head harder than I thought yesterday, and this is all a dream? Definitely a bad dream. Is it even possible to find a woman in that amount of time? Do I sayfuck itand just give everything up? Or since I have the money now… I could pay someone to marry me. Or I could take my money and run.
“What are you thinking?” Sebastian breaks the silence after we settle in, and Darryl closes the door to the town car.
“Too many things to run through.” I sigh. “How the fuck can I get married in a year?”
“Did anyone come to mind by chance?” The innuendo is obvious.
“Don’t play coy. Just spit it out.”
“You and Cici seem to be cozy these days. Is she a possibility?”
“If she were, I wouldn’t be so frantic at the moment. Cici has made it very clear what I am to her and that she has no plans to stay in San Diego. Otherwise, I’d ask her tomorrow.”
“What if you explain the situation and convince her?”
“You think that’s how I want my marriage to start? I don’t want Cici marrying me out of pity. The only way I want Cici is of her own free will. She needs to choose me because shewantsme, not to help me. Plus, we’d never survive a marriage that started that way. She’d resent me for forcing her into something she wasn’t ready for. Her will runs too deep. Just look how far she moved away to escape her parents’ plans for her.”
“Have you talked to her about a relationship that goes beyondsex? You could at least try before you give up entirely. Weren’t you the one who told me to pull my head out of my ass when I wouldn’t tell Lily how I felt about her? Now, here you are doing the same thing. It seems you need to take your own advice.”
“My, how the tables have turned. I can’t believe you’re lecturing me on love.”
“I didn’t mention love. But now thatyouhave, is that what it is for you?”
“It’s… complicated. She has an aversion to relationships or some shit. I’ve already had to convince her to keep seeing me twice. Plus, she wants to go back to Bozeman.”
“You still didn’t answer my question. Do you love her?”
More than anything. I wouldn’t think twice about spending the rest of my life with her. She’s the last thing I think about before falling asleep and the first thought I wake up to. She grounds me in a way no one has before and inspires me to be a better man. I’d move mountains simply to hear her laugh. The thought of her leaving makes me want to hold on tighter, beg her to stay, and do everything I can to keep her.
“Yes.” And I’m pretty sure I’ve been in love with her longer than I ever realized.
“Then it might be time to have a serious talk. At least tell her how you feel, even if you don’t go into the trust issue. She should realize what she’s walking away from. Don’t you think?”
“I’m not sure what to think at the moment. I wasn’t planning on having to marry someone in the next year. I thought I’d have more time to mourn the loss of her and lick my wounds. I also thought I’d have another chance with her, even after she leaves, but if I lay myself on the line and she rejects me for good, then that’s it. Game over. I’m not ready to close the door yet.”
“What other choice is there? If you let her go without even trying, you’ll never be able to move on. Who knows, maybe she’ll surprise you. And if not, at least you’ll have tried and can gain closure.”
We’re approaching the office, so it’s time to wrap this up. I look at Sebastian and see genuine sympathy. It gives me little comfort, but I’m appreciative nonetheless. “Yeah, you might be right. I’ll figure it out. In the meantime, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave this between us. Lily couldn’t keep this from Cici, and it’s unfair to ask that of her, so I’d like you not to share this with your wife. I realize that’s a big ask, but it doesn’t do her any good to know and no harm to not.”
“We don’t keep secrets from each other, but in this case, I agree. I won’t say anything if you back me up, verifying that it was only because of your insistence when the time comes. She won’t be happy with me, but it’s the least I can do, considering you’re in this position and I’m not. I’m grateful for that. I’d have ended up paying someone to fake it for two years.”
That may be what I end up doing.
Days later, my week turns for the worse, going from terrible to downright dreadful. Jackson called today to say he finally found Mia’s dad and would be back tomorrow if everything goes as planned. I’m the shittiest friend in the world to be upset over his success. I should be thankful that it took him seven months to do it, but I think that still makes me an ass. Regardless, that means the deadline is up to win Cici’s heart, and it’s now or never to make my move. It’s time to tell her I love her, and simple words won’t be enough to prove how serious I am, so I’m taking the next step tonight, before Jackson returns.
After driving to jewelry stores the rest of the day, making it through dinner was trickier than expected, knowing what I’m about to do. We’re seated in the restaurant’s upstairs private dining room at an intimate round table with our backs to the room so we can face the city and bay views out the large corner windows. The atmosphere is perfect for the evening, and the staff were given instructions not to disturb us after the dinner plates are cleared, which happens to be now. I can tell Cici’s becoming suspicious, which is confirmed by her following words.
“What’s up with you? You’re off somehow.”
“I’m disappointed that it’s our last night together since your brother’s coming home.” It’s true, but not the reason for my strange behavior.
