“But people in power don’t just give that up.”
He laughs, which seems an odd reaction. But maybe I’m showing my ignorance about how this place works yet again.
“No, but if I run a good enough campaign, I might stand a chance. Tom’s even been giving me some pointers.” He rolls his eyes. “He considers me one of his greatsuccessstories.”
“Seriously?” I snort. “Honestly, I think I would rather just have him hate me.”
“It’s not all bad. He’s been on council since the Quake, so he knows how to get elected,” says Sid. “And he figures the biggest thing in my way is optics. I’m a big, scary dude and by most people’s standards, still a newcomer. I could use something that softens my image.” And then he winces, as if the next words are painful. “I could use a wife.”
“Oh.” And so we arrive at the heart of the matter.
“You and your sister? You’re kind of perfect. I would get a wife and kid in a two-for-one deal. Even the fact that she’s sick is helpful. People eat that shit up.”
“That’s terrible!”
“I know. But it’s true. You would be very,verygood for optics.”
It’s the least sexy thing a man has ever said to me, yet my cheeks flush. “And… there’s no one you would rather marry?”
“No one who wants me.”
“Shit.” So that’s why he’s willing to settle for my frigid company. I’m also curious how this can even be true, because Sid is a decent man. Even if he wasn’t, he’s a tall, jacked, blonde-haired, blue-eyed specimen. Women have settled for far less. Thereshouldbe someone out there willing to marry him. But she isn’t here. Instead, his earnest eyes are fixed on someone who only wants to use him for his citizenship.
I falter from his gaze. “But won’t people be suspicious? Could we get in trouble?”
“Hypothetically, yes. But you’ve lived here a month already. It’s the end of the world. People get married fast all the time. Once you find someone, what’s the point in waiting?”
Like me and Curtis. If we’d waited, we never would have had any of the happiness we got to share.
I shove the thought of him away. It only makes this conversation more painful.
“So we’d need to make people believe we’re actually in love with each other.”
“Yeah. I guess we would.”
I swallow, terrified at how seriously I’m considering his offer. “You’ve studied this legal stuff, right?”
“Basically since the moment I got here.”
“So… you would tell me if there was some other way? A different loophole? Something easier than…”
“There’s nothing.” His gaze drops away. “Well… youcouldmarry someone else. James might be willing. But the sex thing would be a sticking point.”
“Very funny.” It would be for most people. Even if there are other lonely men on the island, I don’t fancy the idea of turning up at the local watering hole and auctioning myself off to the highest bidder. Like Sid said, most men would want sex out of the deal. So it’s him or…
It’s him. My only option.
“Kiss me.” Who said that? Oh yeah. Me. The words are out so fast, it’s more like an intrusive thought than a well-considered request.
Unsurprisingly, Sid startles backwards. “Excuse me?”
“Kiss me right now, Sid Charles, or I won’t marry you.” When he only gapes at me, I let out an exasperated huff. “We have to convince people! I want some proof you can be convincing before I say yes. Otherwise, I’ll just end up inmoretrouble, withmoredemerits and then I’ll have to give up April—”
“Right. Fair. Very fair.” His eyes flick up and down, taking all of me in. The fact that he’s got a look of outright horror on his face isnotencouraging. But I hold my ground, though not for the reason I gave him. I’m far less worried about his performance than my own.
I haven’t touched a man since Curtis died. What if I recoil at his touch? What if I start crying? Fake or not, being with someone could trigger me in a way that sends the whole charade crashing down.
He scootches closer to me on the bench. I close my eyes and tip my chin, a desperate refrain circling my mind.He’s just a body. Just a body. Just a body with free healthcare.The heartbeat in my ears is at a fever pitch but he’s clearly too nervous to get it over with, so I sit there, awkwardly waiting. I open my eyes, about to tell him to forget about it. We’ve already failed. But my scowl seems to be the kick in the ass he needs. Before I can call it off, his arm scoops me up by the waist.
