“No, but I am.” My sad and pathetic sperm donor laughs.
“Are you willing to help me, or not? If not, just say it. That way I can send you the middle finger in peace, and you’ll never have to hear from me again.”
The line falls quiet for a moment before he speaks. “I’ll give you the money. Under one condition.”
I knew this was a mistake.
“I’m listening,” I say, knowing I don’t have a choice.
“I’m in the middle of finalizing a major business deal. I can’t give details, but let’s just say my colleague has been…less than flexible. He has expectations that I’ve been unwilling to fulfill…until now.”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
I have a feeling I’m not going to like this.
“Since my daughter, Emma, is off to college and I’m not willing to offer her up, you’re my best option here. I need you to meet me in Texas for one week and warm the arm of my colleague’s son. Allow him to wine and dine you. Make him think you’re open to the possibility of marriage. Play the dutiful daughter, and at the end of the week I’ll give you the money. Simple as that.”
Unbelievable. It’s just my luck that my own fatherwould sacrifice me for his business and protect hisotherdaughter.
What did I ever do to deserve this?
I need to remain composed. The last thing I want is for him to see how much his words destroy me. “I’m not marrying anyone.”
“No need to. Your job is to convince him you will for one week. Until the deal is secured, at least. Then, you’re free to break things off. I need Harrison Hartwell to believe acquisition by McIntosh Motors is the right move. And since he’s nearing retirement, his son, Austin, will be taking over his legacy. He wants Austin married and on the path to success before handing over the torch. His job will be to oversee the Hartwell side of the acquisition. I will be depending on you to fulfill that.”
“So, this is all just a ploy for you to get more money? Lying to people and conning them into trusting you?”
“Oh, I can assure you, Cove. There’s nothing in this world I love more. Acquiring Harrison’s company will put me in an entirely different hemisphere of wealth. In fact, if you pull this off, I’ll not only give you the money you’re asking for, but increase it enough that you never have to contact me again.”
Is he serious? I don’t have it in me to be affected by his low blow. Not when he just threw around the idea of more money than I asked for. How can I possibly feel hope when none of this is ethical or right? I’m not thrilled it comes from him, but the promise that my mom would never have to struggle again? Never have to work back-to-back doubles for the rest of her life? Maybe even afford decent therapy for her back injury? That kind of financial freedom is priceless.
But at the cost of bending to my father’s will and schemes…
Yet, I can’t help but remind myself that it’s time for him to pay his dues. My mom has paid enough.
“This is wrong,” I state. “So fucking wrong.”
“But you’re going to do it anyway, aren’t you?” he counters, only making his villain persona in my head ten times worse.
I can do this. It’s only for a week. I can pretend to be in love with anyone for that long.
“I’m in.”
Clattering across a keyboard fills my ears before he speaks again. “That’s what I like to hear. Pack for a week. Something appropriate for a cocktail party as well. Email my assistant your information, and I’ll have her forward your flight details. We begin in three weeks.”
It seems I’ll have very little time after my work trip to Paris. I need to confirm with my boss that I can take time off, but it shouldn’t be a problem.
But also, he saidwe?
“What do you mean by ‘we?’ I thought this was only about me?”
“As if I would trust you to perform on your own. I’ll be joining you for the week. Just to make sure all goes as planned. Wouldn’t want this deal to be tainted in any way. Trust me, you won’t even know I’m there.”
HA. Doubt it.
Dread sinks to the deepest pits of my stomach, wondering if I’ll be forced to stay with his new wife. “Okay, then. Where are we staying?”
“You’ll find out when you get here. Oh, and Cove?”
