“One million dollars.”
…What?
I turned slowly, certain I’d misheard. “You… what?”
“One million dollars. For two days.”
Wow,” I breathed, my mind reeling. “That directorship must pay incredibly well.”
“It does. But that’s not what motivates me. This has been my dream since I was a teenager.”
“Are you really willing to pay all that money,” I asked, “just so no one finds out you freaked out over possibly being a father?”
“Not just for that one detail, but I’ve explained the rest. So… what do you say?”
He extended his hand.
It was insane. I knew it was. I could still ruin my name, make myself unhireable in a field that valued a clean record.
But…A million dollars.
With that, I could erase my debt. I could put a down payment on a small apartment. I could finally,finally, stop just surviving and start building a life.
Just two days of lies.
Just two days.
And with that mantra echoing in my head, I reached out and took Logan Turner’s hand, sealing the deal.
Chapter Five
EVELYN
He said everyone would soon forget about the whole case.
And I hoped that "soon" would come as quickly as possible. Because when we returned to the hotel lobby that afternoon, the journalists were still lying in wait. They swarmed us the moment we appeared, peppering us with questions.
"My office has already released a statement regarding the situation. So, if you'll excuse us, we are here to participate in a medical event. No further questions, please," was all Logan said, clearing a path as I followed closely behind, holding both girls' hands. We made our way into the attached hotel ballroom where the conference was being held.
"What a boring place..." Anna whined. "I want to go home..."
I looked at her, my heart aching for them. They were so little, caught in this completely surreal situation. And all they wanted was to go home.
Did they even understand that they had a new home now?
I wondered if Logan fully grasped it yet, either. He seemed so laser-focused on his dream job that I got the impression he hadn't stopped to process his new reality as a father.
I spotted a food court area and had an idea. "How about the three of us go get some ice cream while your dad does what he needs to at this... boring event?"
Anna just shrugged, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Aurora didn't even glance my way. Logan stopped walking and turned toward us.
"But I need a Spanish translator. I'll probably receive compliments from doctors from other countries after my presentation."
"Have it your way. But you needed a mother for your daughters more urgently, didn't you? I can't be in two places at once."
"Why not?"
"Don't you think this event is a bit boring for two five-year-olds?"
