“Yes, I will, but I’ve got a business venture in the works and need the funds sooner than later.Without the funds from my trust, I can’t execute this deal.”
“Is that all?”I push onto my elbow, peering down at him.
“What are you getting at?”
“Well, it just seems like you’re going to all this trouble—a fake relationship just to pursue a business venture.”
“I’m simplifying the situation, but there’s more to it than that.”He sounds agitated.
“Well, explain it to me.I’m not stupid, I’m sure I can follow along.”
He pushes onto his elbow and the dynamics have shifted.He’s now above me, forcing me to look up at him.
“Fine.I don’t owe you an explanation but to be fair, I’ll give it to you.”
“Wow, how magnanimous of you.”
“Hey, cut out the sarcasm or you can forget about me sharing.”
“Okay.Go on.”
“This stays between us, okay?”He waits for my compliance and I nod.“Nan sets the parameters of eligibility for the trust and over the years, she’s changed them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Any Rothwell offspring receives a trust at age twenty-five.Morgan has had full access to hers since her twenty-fifth birthday, but Nan has changed my eligibility several times with her latest being age forty or marriage, whichever comes first.”
“Why would she do that?”
My stomach tightens with the mention of marriage.I’m now viewing our deal in a different light.He never mentioned marriage and I don’t think he ever would, would he?
“It’s bullshit, that’s why.”He flops onto his back and runs a hand through his hair.
“Why marriage?If that’s the only way you get your trust before the age of forty, how does our relationship help?”He opens his mouth and before he can respond, I add, “We’re not getting married.”
He’s silent for a beat or two but it feels longer than that and it takes everything in me not to run from the bed, calling the arrangement off and never looking back.But I won’t—not yet, anyway.
He’s kept his end of the deal and the least I can do is hear him out.Up until now, there’s been no mention of marriage.
He’s crazy if he thinks I’m marrying him.
“Relax.”His voice is low and steady.“Nan only needs the promise of marriage, to think I’m serious and settling down, to change her mind.It’s already working.She adores you and just the thought of us getting married one day…”
He might be right.I don’t know his grandmother like he does, but she’s already treating me like family.I understand his logic.
“Okay.What is it about your business idea that she opposes?”
“I want to diversify our business and she’s not keen on it.Withholding my trust is her way of stalling, hoping I’ll move on or forget about the idea entirely.”
“But you have your own money, so what’s stopping you?”
“It’s not that easy.My money is tied up in Rothwell Enterprises.It isn’t as simple as making a withdrawal.My trust fund could cover this venture easily.”
“And Nan stands in the way?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to know what I think?”
