My heart crumbles. He’s such a good man. Which is even more reason I don’t want to drag him through my mess. The last thing Stetson needs is being caught with the lying woman who broke it off with the wealthy automotive bachelor stepping in to take over his father’s company.
Slander at its finest.
I know if I tell him I risk exposing us all and losing the money. So, I need to get my thoughts in order beforehand. As much as it kills me to prolong it.
I like Stetson. And that’s the unforeseen problem.
Happiness likes to meet me when I’m inches away from turning my life upside down. How unfortunate.
“How about we grab a drink and run through some numbers? Cove. Austin,” Harrison calls. “Let’s also discuss what to expect moving forward. Shall we?”
Austin and I glance at each other, waiting for someone to take the lead. He seems confident that it’s him and reaches for my hand. Everything about this feels wrong, and we aren’t even playing the part yet. Well, he doesn’t know I’m faking it, but the guy knows nothing about me. How can he possibly be okay with this?
Oh, that’s right.Money. Big money, too.
His hands are clammy and soft.
Nothing like Stetson’s. Rough. Calloused. Skilled.
Glancing over at Austin is useless when I can feel his eyes on me—and not in the way I like. Not how Stetson does with pure intention, making me weak in the knees. His hoarse whisper meets my ear as we approach the lounge area of the local bar. “Your father may have mentioned you were from Florida, but he sadly forgot the part about how tasteful you’d look with a suntan and heels.”
I can confirm the hope I had for a decent guy is officially out the window.
Sleezeball, comin’ in hot at ten o’clock.
I plaster a fake smile, one that only someone close to me would be able to read for what it really is, and choke on my own words. “Oh, you don’t know the half of it, Austin. I’m full of surprises.”
His finger caresses the inside of my hand. I’m no stranger to men coming onto me. It’s par for the course with my job. But having to pretend I’m actually interested in this prick? Now, that’s an entirely different situation in itself. One I’d rather chop off my own tits to avoid.
Once we’re less than a foot away, I let go of his hand, dashing toward the closest available chair. It’s oversized and comfy, giving me space to keep to myself. Oddly enough, it’s also at the side of Nathaniel, making me feel slightly more comfortable than being hand in hand with Austin.
It seems I’m accompanied by not one, but three men who deserve poison in their morning coffee.
Not a bad idea, actually.
“Cove, we know this relationship between you and Austin is not traditional,” Harrison informs me as if I don’talready know that. “But I can assure you Austin will treat you well. You’ll never go without, and that’s a guarantee. I will have my lawyers get started on a proper NDA moving forward. For both of your protection, I assure you,” he tells me, nodding between Austin and me.
It makes no sense to me how anyone would ever be okay with an arranged marriage. Especially with someone you don’t love. It’s tragic and frankly reminds me of the endings I read about in prehistoric novels. A sad revelation of love with no hope in the end. Death sounds better.
Harrison continues. “For matters of the press, your coming out will be this week in Waterstone. My team has ensured plenty of paparazzi will be in attendance at the week-long gathering, making your debut as a couple memorable. Or should I say, noteworthy?”
Did he just say…Waterstone?
“Waterstone?” I croak, my throat closing up. “Is that close by?”
“Roughly two hours. Give or take,” Nathaniel answers.
Stetson lives in Waterstone.
My clear thoughts dilute as Harrison explains the plan, Stetson’s proximity the only thing on my mind. “With my retirement transition beginning in nine months, it’s imperative for you to date no more than six months, the wedding to follow two months after. Austin must be on track toward marriage in order to be grandfathered in as CEO of Hartwell Enterprises. Now, I’m not expecting an official union before proceeding with the acquisition, but I need trusted assurance that marriage is to come. You may date apart until living arrangements are in place, especially with how busy Austin will be in the coming months. Give the media something to talk about, and I’ll sign the deal this week.”
I knew the reality of this all would hit me eventually,but sitting here with these two strangers who share a last name—a father and son—knowing they genuinely think I’m in this for the long haul…it makes me feel just as guilty as the absent father beside me.
The Hartwells may be corrupt businessmen, but they arepeople. And to someone like me, that still means something.
But I won’t let it stop me from making sure this happens. No matter how hard I may want to be the grown woman who runs and cries in her mother’s arms.
I can’t.
