“I understand, Andrew. Don't worry, I'm not offended. Let's put in that I will not purposely get pregnant and he will not coerce me into it either. Does that work?”
“Certainly,” Laura nodded. “Now about your settlement: You'll retain everything you purchase personally during the marriage, including, but not limited to, clothes, jewelry, and household items, as well as any gifts given to you by Mr. Harper. Once he receives his ten-year green card, you'll be provided a place to live for the next year—specifics to be decided by you—and five hundred thousand dollars cash.” Laura scanned further down, then added, “Mr. Jamison, rather than provide her with a place to live for a year in Manhattan, we'd like a home purchased outright and access to Mr. Harper's apartment for a year while she chooses said home.”
Liz looked at Laura incredulously, but Laura placed her hand on Liz’s arm and looked calmly at Andrew.
“I don't see a problem with that. I'll add it in.” He nodded with a smile that looked surprisingly respectful.
Liz’s eyes widened and she nodded at Laura's questioning glance. “When do we sign the final papers?”
“I'll make the necessary changes and have this ready for you first thing in the morning. So if you have any changes you want made or any questions, ask me today. We need to hurry so Harper's paperwork can go through before his current visa expires,” Andrew explained.
“So when do we get hitched?” asked Liz.
Andrew answered, “Will has four months before he has to leave the country. Since Jenny and I have been seeing each other for a while now, we can put out that we introduced the two of you a couple of months ago. I was thinking that you could go ahead and get married next weekend. That gives you a little over a week to get seen and hopefully photographed to legitimize the relationship. Then we'll all go to Vegas and you two can tie the knot. We'll tell the press that Jenny and I had been planning on going and you decided to join us. Spur of the moment you decide to go ahead and get married. Maybe we'll tell them you were drunk—we can figure out the particulars later as long as we have you two married by the end of the month.”
“I think I've got it. Walk out with me, Laura?”
At the elevator, Laura leaned in to whisper to Liz. “Lizzy, do you want to ask for more? I'm pretty sure he'd go to a million.”
“Laura!”
“Hey, it's my job to get you the best possible outcome and he's desperate. Despite popular belief, there aren't many women who are willing to do this and keep their mouths shut. He needs you. Capitalize on that!”
“I don't know, Laura. I don't think I'd feel right asking for more. He's being really generous as it is. Half a million dollars and a house!?! I don't want to take advantage of someone in a desperate situation. That can't be good karma. Besides, I have to live with this guy for the next two years. I don't want to piss him off before I even move in!”
“Whatever you say, Liz. But think about it.”
“I will. I'll see you tomorrow, Laura.”
“Aren't you going down with me?”
“Nope. I'm going up to have lunch with my fiancé,” she said with a sly smile as she pointed upward. Laura just laughed and rolled her eyes as the elevator doors closed.
***
“Elizabeth Barrett to see Mr. Harper,” Liz told the receptionist outside the elevator on the thirtieth floor.
“Down the hall and to your right,” she said, pointing out the way.
Liz walked down the hall reading the names and titles on the plates outside the doors. So far she'd passed three vice presidents of various departments and at the end of the hall was a double door with the label CFO outside it. Wow. If William's office was up here, he must be important.
She turned right like the receptionist told her to do and came to a set of carved wooden doors. There was no label outside the door, so she hoped she wasn't about to walk into the wrong place. Tentatively, she opened one and peeked inside. After seeing it was a sort of anteroom, she stepped in and walked toward the assistant-looking person behind the desk.
“Hi. I'm Elizabeth Barrett, here to see Mr. Harper.”
“Please have a seat over there. Mr. Harper is just finishing up a call and will be with you momentarily.”
Elizabeth sat down on a leather club chair and thought over the contract, wondering if there was anything she'd missed and if she should add anything.
After about five minutes, the assistant told her she could go on in.
Elizabeth walked into an office that was easily bigger than her entire apartment. Two walls were covered floor to ceiling in windows and the view of the city was spectacular, even from the door. There was a small bar near a round table with four chairs and a seating area that included two armchairs and a leather sofa. On the opposite side of the room was an enormous desk, and sitting behind it, in an enormous chair, was William Harper. He was facing the window, his back to her, on the phone.
“That's fine. Go ahead and make the reservations and we'll have dinner afterward at Bernard's. Yes, all right. Sounds good. Thank you, Evelyn.”
He spun around and hung up the phone. Elizabeth stood in the middle of the room, not really knowing how to greet the man you've just agreed to marry but have no actual relationship with. She smiled, waiting for him to say something.
“Hello, Liz.” She looks better today. Maybe it's the lighting? Or her dress?
“Hi, William.”
“I spoke to Andrew. He said we should have the contract signed in the morning,” he said as he gestured for her to sit in the chair in front of his desk.
“Yes, I don't see why we wouldn't.”
He shifted his eyes around the room uncomfortably. “Liz, this is a rather awkward situation for both of us. I know the lawyers are going over our... relationship with each of us individually, but I thought it might make things a little easier if we covered a few of the more intimate details face to face.”
She nodded, gesturing for him to proceed.
“We'll need to appear as a real couple in public. I've been giving this some thought, and I am not an overly demonstrative man.” She bit back her sarcastic comment. “It would appear incongruous with my past behavior if I were to suddenly become publicly affectionate. However, the thought has also crossed my mind that in the past, I never would have run off to marry a woman no one had ever seen me with before—especially to Vegas. In order to make our quick elopement appear legitimate, I may need to modify my behavior to seem more...”
“Spontaneous?”
“Yes, thank you. I don't want to appear foolish or make you uncomfortable in any way, but I think we should try to seem...”
“Smitten? Besotted? Head over heels?” She may have been enjoying this a little too much.
“Yes, something like that.”
“Don't worry, William. I minored in theatre,” she said proudly.
He looked slightly terrified at that and she smiled guiltily.
“Seriously, it'll be fine. I've had a boyfriend before. I will look at you adoringly and laugh at all your jokes. Everyone will think I've bewitched you and that's why you're acting so strangely. We'll be fine. Don't worry.”
He gave her a relieved look.
Just then Evelyn knocked on the door, Harper bade her enter, and she came in with two large white bags which she quickly began emptying at the table.
“I've ordered in lunch. Shall we?”
Liz nodded and followed him to the table.
After finishing her salad, she smiled and said, “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why do you and Andrew call each other by your last names?”
“We met at Eton, and everyone there goes by their family name. It tends to stick. When we moved to the States we tried to use our given names, but it was hard to change after so many years. I suppose we use a mix of both now. Sorry if it’s confusing.”
“No, it’s not, I just wondered.”
He nodded and put the straw into his drink.
“Uh -”
“Oh, no! You're not famous are you? Are you some big famous guy and I don't have a clue who you are?”
He flushed slightly and shifted in his seat. “No, not really, although I am in the public eye at times.” She looked at him questioningly. “Well, I think Jennifer mostly had it right. The Harpers could be described as 'old money'. I am mostly known for my position with the company.”
“What position is that? You must be high up to be way up here in this enormous office.”
“I'm on the board of the Taggston Corporation, but most of my time is spent with HarperCo,” he said plainly. “I'm the CEO.”
Her eyes widened. “You're the CEO? Of the entire company? But you're so young!”
“Yes, well, my age and position combined have made me something of an oddity, hence the press. But don't worry, I'm not hounded by paparazzi or anything. Mostly just photographed at events, nothing invasive.”
“So you're no Paris Hilton?” she teased.
He chuckled lightly and shook his head. “Afraid not. Sorry.”
She moved on to her entree and they ate silently for a few more minutes.
“So where do you live, William?”
“Central Park West. It's a bit of a trek to work, but the security's great. I think you'll like it.”
“Good. Closer to Columbia.” She took a few more bites and waited for him to say something, but he ate his fish in silence. “So, Andy thinks we should get hitched next weekend in Vegas. He and Jenny could be our witnesses.”
“Yes, we spoke about it. I was thinking of modifying his plans just a bit.”
“How so?” she asked with interest.
“I think we should see each other as much as possible in the next week to let the press get used to the idea, then have a public engagement and subsequent announcement before going to Vegas. I think it would be more believable if we went there to celebrate the engagement, then got caught up in the excitement of it all and eloped, than if we were just dating and all of a sudden got married.”
“What do you mean by public engagement?”
“I'd propose, somewhere we were likely to be seen, and some lucky person can sell the story to the Post. Of course, we'll probably use a plant.”
“Start a rumor that you're about to pop the question?”
“Exactly. Having someone see you at the jeweler’s looking at engagement rings is usually the easiest way.”
“How devious of you! I wouldn't have pegged you for the sneaky type.”
“What type would you have thought me?”
“Jury's still out,” she replied coyly.
He grinned and after a few minutes of eating in silence, Liz spoke.
“So let's talk about sex.”
Harper spluttered and nearly choked on his fish. After taking a drink of water and a moment to calm himself, he said, “What do you mean?”
“You know, sex. When a man and a woman-”
“I know what sex is! I'm wondering why you want to talk about it,” he said with eyebrows raised.
“Oh, come on, William! We're both adults here. We're going to be in this for at least two years, possibly closer to three, and I've got a no-cheating clause in my contract. That's a long time to go without!” She made a mental note to have them put in a no-cheating clause for William as well. It was only fair.
He looked at her skeptically. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“That we have sex with each other.” His eyebrows went higher. “If I sleep with someone else, I'm in trouble. If you do, you're in even bigger trouble and will probably get deported and I'll go to jail. We'll be living together and spending time with each other and acting like crazy newlyweds. What's the harm in sleeping together? After all, we will be married.”
He looked at her silently for a long moment. At first his expression was shocked, but then it transformed to amused and intrigued.
“I'm not suggesting we jump each other’s bones out of the blue. But if the mood strikes and we're in the moment, why not?”
He smiled broadly. “You know, Liz, I think we're going to get along just fine.”
She kicked his leg under the table. “Typical man!” she muttered under her breath.
He couldn't help but laugh and reached across the table for her hand. “No, but seriously, Liz, I appreciate your forthrightness. It's a topic that needs to be covered and you're right; we're both adults and two years is a long time. Rather than put ourselves in the way of dangerous temptation, we should take care of things at home.”
“Are you always this proper?”
“What do you mean?”
“Never mind. So we're agreed. Sex with each other is okay?”
“Yes, sex with each other is okay.”
3
The Date
Mid- April, Thursday
8 Days to Marriage
“Jenny!”
Jennifer held the phone away from her ear and answered her sister. “Yes, Lizzy?”
“Guess what?!”
“What?”
“I signed the papers! And before I left, Andy gave me a big envelope filled with cash! He said I should buy clothes for the next week of 'dating' since I won't have my cards until after the wedding. Can you believe that?” Her voice calmed for a moment. “I mean, officially, I'm offended, my clothes are great, but now we get to go shopping!” Liz stomped her feet and squirmed in her seat with excitement.
Jennifer laughed at her sister's enthusiasm. “How much did he give you?”
“I don't know. I quit counting when I got to ten grand. Can you believe it? And guess where I am now?”
“Barneys?”
“No, not yet. I'm in the back of a limo with a privacy screen and everything. They insisted I take the car and told the driver to take me wherever I wanted to go. I won't have to carry my bags on the subway!” Elizabeth squealed a little and sighed, leaning back into the plush leather. “Come shopping with me? I need to get a cocktail dress for tonight. William's taking me to a show and dinner after at Bernard's.”
“I'll meet you at Barneys in an hour.”
Four hours later, two exhausted women stumbled into Liz's Lower East Side apartment.
“That was amazing,” said Jennifer as she collapsed on the couch.
“Completely.”
“Fantastic.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Orgasmic.”
Liz held her sides as she dissolved in a fit of laughter. “Oh, Jenny! I can't believe all this is happening to me!”
“I know. Just think—last week, you didn't know how you were going to pay rent and today you spent a small fortune at Barneys.”
“This is so surreal! And this time next week, I'll be in Vegas getting married. Mom is going to freak.”
“Speaking of Mom, what do you plan to tell her?”
“Nothing now. After we get married, I guess I'll have to tell her something. Definitely not the truth, though. She couldn't keep a secret if it was glued to her.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes. “What about Dad? He'll be upset he didn't get to give you away.”
“It's not a real wedding, Jenny. And you can't give away something you don't have. I'm a grown woman, not a fifteen-year-old girl. I can get married if I want and I don't need my parents' permission.”
“Okay, Gloria Steinem! Easy! I was just saying that you and Dad have always been close and he'll be sad he missed it, that's all.”
“I guess I'll call them after I get settled in over at William's. We'll probably have to go down there. I certainly don't want them coming here—Mom would have a field day with that. They don't read the New York papers there anyway, so hopefully they won't know about William's millions and I can just pass him off as well-off or something like that.”
“It'll be hard to fool Dad. He knows you to
o well.”
“I know. That's why we should make it a short trip.”
“Good luck with that,” Jennifer said sarcastically.
“Maybe you'll get engaged to Andy and take the attention off me,” she sniggered.
“I don't know, Lizzy,” Jennifer said, suddenly serious. “We've only been dating a few months—I don't know how serious it is.”
“You're exclusive though, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Has he said the L-word yet?”
“No,” Jennifer sighed sadly.
“Have you?” Liz asked suspiciously.
“Of course not! You know I'd never break a cardinal rule!”
“Good. Because telling the guy you love him first is just asking for heartbreak. I think he loves you, though. Or at least he's well on his way.”
“You think?”
“Oh, yeah. He can't stop looking at you and brings your name into every conversation. It's getting annoying! Kind of like someone else I know...”
Jennifer hit Liz with a pillow. “Not funny, Lizzy! I don't bring Andrew into every conversation!”
“All right, sorry, Jen. But tell me, do you love him?”
She let out a frustrated sigh. “I don't know. Sometimes I think I do. I swear, when he looks at me with those big brown eyes and tells me he can't wait to see me again, I nearly swoon. It's pathetic! Is five months long enough to know if it's love and not just some infatuation? I don't know if it is.”
“And?” Liz asked with one raised brow.
“And what?”
“You know what!”
“Lizzy!”
“What? You used to give me all the details, even the ones I'd rather not know, but since you've been with Andrew you've become surprisingly close-lipped.”
“Well,” Jennifer answered evasively, “you've been really busy and we haven't been spending as much time together as we used to... and -”
“And you've been spending all your spare time doing the nasty with Andrew!”
“Elizabeth Mae Barrett! I can't believe you just said that to me!”
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