Page 11 of Temporary Vows

“Dad—”

“No.” He holds up his hand, cutting me off. “These are my final terms and conditions. You have three weeks to either give me the name of a woman suitable for marriage or accept the options I have provided for you. Personally, I think any of the Harrington or Mayfield girls would make a good match.”

“Absolutely not.” I won’t let him choose for me. And I would never go for any of the Harrington or Mayfield girls. They’re his friends’ daughters, so I get why he wants us to marry, but he doesn’t know those viperous women like the rest of us do.

“Failure to meet my demands will result in you forfeiting your rights to the COO role when I head to England,” he continues as if I didn’t speak. “If that happens, your cousin Parker will take the position.”

My stomach bottoms out. “Parker?”

“You heard me. He’s flying over from England tomorrow and will be joining us here for work come Monday. For now, he’ll work as your subordinate, but should you fail to meet my demands, he’ll take over your current job in prep for the COO position.”

“You’re replacing me with my asshole cousin?”

“If you agree to the terms, I expect you to get married as soon as possible.” He ignores my comments completely. “The press will label the Grace fiasco as a fling and move on with something more positive about you. Following the marriage, I will give youa three-month trial that must be satisfied before I even consider giving you the role.”

Fuck. How did this get worse?How? “That’s it? Those are my options?”

“That’s it, son. Take it or leave it.”

I glare at him. No way am I leaving anything. Definitely not in the hands of my cousin.

So, I’m back to ground zero.

And I have to find a wife.

Chapter 3

Elodie

Ipark across the street from the dealership and take a deep breath. My hands are locked around the steering wheel like it might bolt if I let go.

Or maybe that’s just me. I feel bad for being here asking for money I know Jack won’t have.

I’m also stealing time I don’t have. I left the school early to get here, and I have to get back to the coffeehouse for the late shift. And I’m going to be late. Beth won’t like that, but I’ll just have to find a way to get around her.

I take another breath and glance around my surroundings, taking in the gloominess of the place.

Harper Auto Sales. This was what became of our family’s investment firm.

Everything about the dealership looks temporary. Like it was never meant to last.

Sun-bleached flags flap weakly above rows of cars packed too close together, their paint dulled by age and exposure. Handwritten price tags stare out from windshields. The asphalt is cracked, weeds pushing through in stubborn little lines that refuse to die.

This isn’t where my brother was supposed to end up. But such is life.

I spot him through the glass office window.

He hunches over a cluttered desk with a calculator in hand. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up, the fabric at the elbows worn thin and shiny.

He looks… tired.

Not the kind of tired that sleep fixes. The kind that settles into your bones when life keeps taking and never gives anything back.

My chest tightens.

For a second, I consider starting up the engine and leaving. Then I remember the man Marcus sent to scare me.

He’s getting too close for comfort. I’m at the stage where I need to try everything.