“But what if—”
“Stop borrowing trouble.” Her voice was firm. “Go home, talk to him and see what happens when you actually let someone put you first.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Kandi’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Wait. I just thought of something.”
“What?”
“That contract you’ve been stressing about. Black Embers?” Her voice dropped conspiratorially. “Didn’t you say you needed a husband to get the contract?”
The implication that my pregnancy and single status somehow made me less qualified, despite my proven track record, still stung. “Yeah.”
“So... what if you weren’t single?” Kandi wiggled her eyebrows meaningfully.
“What are you suggesting?” But I already knew, and the idea was simultaneously terrifying and brilliant.
“That man is living in your house, Dee. You need a husband for appearances, and he wants to be involved...” She spread her hands wide. “Seems like a perfect plan to me.”
“You want me to ask Aris to pretend to be my husband? For a business contract?”
The words sounded ridiculous out loud, but my mind was already racing with possibilities. This could solve my most pressing problem.
If I could convince him.
“Why not? He gets practice as your husband, and you get that seven-figure contract. It’s a win-win.”
“We would have to spend an entire weekend together. Possibly sharing a bed.” The thought sent an unwelcome flutter through my belly.
“So what? Wasn’t the dick good? He even made you squirt.” Kandi’s bluntness made me laugh out loud because she was right. “Sex aside, business is something he definitely understands.” She looked entirely too pleased with herself. “Andwho knows? Maybe playing house will help you figure out if you actually want the real thing.”
“I don’t know…” But even as I voiced my doubt, my mind was already calculating the odds of success.
“Think about it, but it’s worth a shot,” Kandi urged, standing and pulling me up with her. “Let’s get you home before that man drives himself crazy wondering if you’re ever coming back.”
“Good,” I muttered, but there was no malice in it.
My mind was already drafting the proposal I’d present to Aris. A fake marriage. What could go wrong?
16
Istared at the books long after Dede left, before setting them aside. There was one person who might understand this situation. One who had always given me honest counsel, even when I didn’t want to hear it.
I checked the time difference—early evening in Greece—and dialed.
“Ari?” my mother’s voice came through. “Calling at this hour? The world must be ending.”
“Hello, Mother.” I moved to the window, watching for Dede’s return. “I find myself in need of your particular wisdom.”
“Now I know something’s wrong.” The teasing in her voice almost made me smile. “Is it about Santo?”
“No,” I paused, suddenly realizing I had no elegant way to deliver this news. “I’m going to be a father again. Twins. A boy and a girl.”
The silence on the other end was deafening. When she finally spoke, her voice was a whisper.
“Twins? But who—” she stopped herself. “Tell me everything, Ari. Now.”
“Deanna is pregnant with my children.”
