GRACE
Asher watches me from the corner of his eye. I think he expected me to jump at his deal. And for the sheer amount of money he’s willing to pay me, maybe I should be leaping.
Asher Caine is absolutely gorgeous; I could do worse for a fake husband. I’m not sure why agreeing to this feels so scary. It’s a temporary marriage, one that would be mutually beneficial for both of us.
He gets to take over his family's company, and I get to not be broke.
The idea of paying off my student loans and still having money in my bank account brings a smile to my face. I wouldn’t be dependent on anyone, wouldn’t need to go back to Michigan with my head down, waiting for my parents to sayI told you so.Not that they would, but even so, the words would be looming over me.
They thought moving here for college and then staying after was a terrible idea. My father even sat me down to talk through how expensive this city is.You can write from anywhere, Gracie.He wasn’t wrong. But being a writer in New York Citywas my life’s goal.How was I supposed to walk away from something I’d been dreaming about for my entire life?
After four and a half years here, it’s starting to make sense. I thought I’d just magically make things work, but it’s not that easy. Money speaks a language more effective than words. And when you don’t have it, you might as well be useless.
Asher’s offer seems too good to be true. I know there has to be a downside. A million dollars doesn’t come without strings.
"Do you pay all your girlfriends?" I'm surprised when the snarky comment pops from my mouth.
Asher's lips tic up into a slight smirk, and he leans back into his chair, smoothing his hands over his dress pants. "Well, you'd be my first."
“Does he mean I’d be your first girlfriend or the first girlfriend you’vepaidfor?My eyes narrow.
“I’ve never hired a woman to date me before, Miss Morgan.”
"Then why are you now? Surely, you could get someone to date you without paying them." I gesture my hand to him, waving it up and down, as he sits across from me. He's attractive, and more than that, he exudes power. I'm surprised women aren't falling to their knees, begging him to take them home.
Why does he needme?
“Most women want the whole nine yards. They want a rich husband, a dominant partner, and someone to share their life with.”
“And you can’t be all three?” I question.
“Something like that." For a moment, his eyes dart away from me, and sadness pulls at his features. The flicker of emotion lasts only for a second before it disappears, and I wonder if I even saw it or if I made it up.
“So you decided to hire someone instead…”
“I find things work better if clear expectations are set from the beginning.”
“Like our breakup date?”
Asher laughs at that, and I find myself smiling with him. Laughing Asher puts me at ease, and the tightness in my chest loosens, letting my lungs have a chance to breathe evenly.
“Yes,” he says, then explains, “No one gets hurt if it’s not real and we both know our parts.”
I nod along. “You get your company and I get paid.”
“Exactly.”
I swallow, feeling more at ease about the whole situation. Asher Caine doesn't seem like a bad guy. If anything, he seems dedicated to his work and a bit…lonely.How bad could it possibly be pretending to be his wife for a year? Especially knowing that at the end of it, I'll be financially stable.
“And while we're together…” I trail off, nerves seeping into my tone again. “What is it that you expect of me?”
This is just a little detour along my path, and I need to make sure that it doesn't derail my whole life. I still need to find a new agent and finish my book. Or maybe choose a new career.
"As long as you don't create any scandals or tarnish my image, you're free to live your life, Miss Morgan."
I nod. So I can spend the next year writing and querying. There's just one more problem…
"Uhm, the waitressing job, it… well… it paid my bills." Shame coats my skin. I don't like the idea of having to ask for help. But without my job at Haven, I'm not sure how I'll pay my rent, and the number in my bank account is getting closer to zero every day.
