“Does he loveyou?”
“Well, I guess we’ll both find out next week when he returns home.”
“That’s cutting it a little too close to the wedding to be so unsure.”
She shrugged. “The invitations haven’t gone out yet.” She put her fork down, then rested back in her chair. What could it hurt to tell him the truth? She took a sip of her mai tai, then said, “Can I trust you with something?”
“Sure, lay it on me. I got a pretty high national security clearance.”
“Please don’t tell anyone, but ... Darcy and I have a marriage contract.”
He laughed. “Pardon my language, but what the fuck? A contract? Who does that?”
She laughed. “It’s true!”
“But why?”
“Because I have loved him forever, and I’m tired of dating losers to get to the one I’m supposed to be with. He said he’d take care of me so long as it remained platonic, and I upheld my end of the contract. So, I signed it. Darcy is safe, and,mostof the time, it feels like the right decision.”
“You mean you have loved hismoneyforever and that he’d keep you in the comfort you desire?”
She felt the burn on her cheeks when admitting, “That certainly helped.”
“But why the ex-girlfriend? Now?”
“Because he still loves her. She’shisforever person, not me, and I want him to be super happy, not tied down with someone he doesn’t love or even want to knock boots with.” She cupped her boobs. “I mean, what was the point of spending a fortune on these? I’m a healthy woman with a healthy sex drive, and my fiancé doesn’t want to touch them!”
Rick raised both eyebrows, then took a sip of whiskey. “Um ... just my advice, of course, but you shouldn’t settle for a sexless marriage, let alone a loveless marriage. There are plenty of eligible bachelors who’d die to have a girl like you as their life partner.”
“Pfft! I have yet to meet one who’s not a bona-fide loser.”
He raised a single eyebrow, followed by a smirk. “Sure, you have. And just my two cents ... I think you got your money’s worth.”
Oddly, there was no flutter at his innuendo but ... there was the even odder, unfamiliar sensation of butterflies in her stomach.
The Unexpected Moment Before the Unexpected Moment
What could possibly go wrong with dinner at Gallaghers Steakhouse with Darcy’s military cousin, Rick? As first impressions went,only everything.
Watching him strut into the bar area, wearing a nicely tailored suit and black T-shirt, immediately arrested her heart, setting her off kilter. The straight-backed, broad-shouldered retired US Army colonel oozed dominant confidence. Although Richard Fitzwilliam projected a “Don’t Mess with Me” attitude, when he smiled his whole persona softened. In fact, the man’s entire package, from gorgeous, wavy ginger hair, warm hazel eyes, and muscular physique knocked her off kilter. His handshake and eye contact introduced him as an attentive man with focused purpose and consideration. Before he ever uttered a word, Caroline respected him and wanted to know him better. Usually, it took a few drinks, some small talk, or dinner before determining a guy’s worth—or hook up potential. She just hoped Darcy hadn’t noticed her attraction. Her cheeks felt flushed, and she couldn’t stop smiling.
Rick and Darcy hugged. “Hey, so great to see you, buddy,” Rick said.
“Likewise. It’s been too long. Rick, this is my fiancée, Caroline.”
“Yeah? String Bean! Charlie’s sister, right?” He took her hand in his, not squeezing too hard but seemingly unwilling to let it go. There was a warm familiarity to him, yet she couldn’t remember ever meeting him.
“Um ... yeah, that’s ... that’s right. Although they call me Beanz now.”
“Darcy and Beanz. Wow. Congratulations you two. I’m sorry I missed the engagement party.”
“No worries. It was a small affair of only about two hundred!” Darcy chuckled. “One half was Caroline’s side of crazies and the other half Aunt Catherine’s lunatic fringe.”
“Then, I’m glad I was stuck in Germany.”
“Our table’s ready, if you’re hungry,” she said, trying not to sound so eager.
“Great!” Walking through the dining room, Rick beamed. “Heck, I haven’t been to this place in years, but now that I’m out, it’ll be good to get back to living like I was born to.”
