“They are. Which is why I need this money to protect myself. They know I’m in Star Mountain, and they’re suing me. I got served earlier today. I’m not sure they have much of a case, but I need to be able to hire a lawyer. And get a really good security system.”
“Winnie, I don’t know about this. It seems messy. Complicated.” He rubs his eyes.
“But that’s the thing,” I say. “It’s not messy at all, because unlike in a real marriage, feelings won’t be involved. That makes it so much simpler.”
Jonah frowns at that, his eyebrows furrowing and his eyes steely, but he doesn’t say anything.
“If you won’t do it, then I’ll find someone who will,” I say, even though I’m not sure I mean it. I envisioned doing this with Jonah, and Jonah only. Why? Who knows. Maybe it’s because I know his reasons for needing money are altruistic, and I want to help him nearly as much as I want to help myself. And when I imagine myself walking down the aisle in city hall, it’s only with him at the other end.
Jonah’s gaze darkens and he snaps, “No. Absolutely not.”
14
JONAH
“If you won’t doit, then I’ll find someone who will,” Winnie says resolutely.
Immediately, I picture her in a white dress, walking down the aisle with some unnamed asshole at the other end. Whoever he is, I’m sure he’s not good enough. And I know all of the men in Star Mountain—noneof them are good enough for her.
And you are?a voice in my head chides.
Well, I’m a hell of a lot better than the alternatives. I won’t take advantage of her.
“No you won’t,” I bark.
Winnie’s eyebrows fly up. “Excuse me? Who said you had a say in this?”
“You did. When you asked me to marry you to the tune of a hundred grand.”
“I asked for your help,” she says primly. “Not your advice. If I was in need of a man who thought he knew better than me, they’re a dime a dozen.”
“Do you even know any other single men in Star Mountain?” I ask.
“Sure I do. Tomás.”
“And you want to marry him?”
“No, but I don’t really want to marry you either.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Well, I have news for you. If you marry Tomás you’ll be marrying into his enormous family, and his mom and his abuela are going to have a hell of a lot of questions for you.”
Winnie frowns. “Well I’m sure it can’t be that difficult to find a man who will marry me. Especially if I offer him money.”
“That’s the problem, Winnie. It won’t be difficult at all. Not for a woman like you. Who looks like a damn super model and who is all inviting smiles and warmth. Most men would agree to marry youwithoutthe money.”
“I still don’t see what the problem is.” She starts to stand up as if to leave, but I pull her back down gently, clasping her wrist in my hand. When she sits, it’s even closer to me than she was before, our knees now knocking together.
“Most men are pigs. Most men would marry you, and then treat you worse than you deserve. They’d take advantage of you.”
“And you wouldn’t?” Her blue eyes flash as she levels me with a challenging stare.
“No, sweetheart. I wouldn’t.” I meet her gaze head on.
“How would you treat me, then?” She flutters her lashes.
“Like…like something precious, alright?”
“Oh,” Winnie says, her pink lips dropping open a bit.
