by Haley Travis
Her mouth fell open slightly, and it was a bit nerve-wracking to see her breathing seem to pause.
“Mia? Please say something.”
“I… I don’t know what to say. That’s just such a foreign concept to me I can’t even mentally process it.”
“Okay, let’s start small. Would you be alright with quitting your job, and living here for free? I know the title of ‘housewife’ isn’t very progressive. But for at least the first few months, there will be the wedding to plan, I’m sure you would like to redecorate some of this place to your taste. Once things get settled, you can do whatever you like. Maybe you’d like to take some classes, or volunteer somewhere?”
Mia quickly reached for her glass of wine, chugging the last three sips. “This is really a lot to take in.”
“Baby steps. Do you want to quit your job and work on this marriage project for the year, and save my family house, while earning us both a bunch of money?”
“Yes,” she said flatly. Her bottom lip was quivering, but she was determined.
“You seem to be a little put off by the idea of sudden wealth, but do you think you’ll be able to come to terms with that, and let me spoil you for this year?”
She nodded, but her eyes were tight as if she was doing a thousand tricky math problems at once.
“I have to say, I’ve always been worried that any girl I dated was a gold digger, and just after my family money. Being with a girl who obviously isn’t will be a refreshing change, even if it’s a platonic friendship and a sham marriage.” I grinned, and was relieved when she laughed.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I know I’m really weird about money. It might take me some time to be okay with it. But I’ll find a way, and I’ll play along. You just might have to coach me now and then.”
“Coach you on spending money? I thought that was everybody’s dream?” I couldn’t help laughing.
“When you’ve never had money,” she said quite seriously, “You’re always looking to avoid spending it. Always looking for deals, always looking to make do.” She looked around the room. “The thought of redecorating something that is already absolutely lovely is just... Wrong to me.”
I nodded, sort of understanding. “Most of the women in my family, and at my company, want to redecorate every year or two just to be trendy, and show off to each other.”
Her eyes grew wide with horror. “That is so wasteful,” she burst out. “There are people in the city who might lose their apartments because they are a hundred bucks short on rent, and these rich bitches are flinging money around on a new sofa that they don’t even need?”
She clapped her hand over her mouth, ashamed. “I’m sorry. That sounded really judgmental, and I didn’t mean to…” She stopped, obviously overwhelmed.
I poured her another half glass of wine, while patting her knee before I could stop my hand. “You don’t have to censor yourself around me,” I said gently. “The more I know about how you actually feel, the more I can try to make you comfortable in weird situations. I agree that wasting money is wrong, but on the other hand, it’s how some of my family has always operated, so I see it as somewhat normal.”
Handing her the glass, I said, “For the record, I’m not trying to get you tipsy, I’m just trying to get you relaxed enough to be honest.”
She took another sip, nodding. “Maybe we can balance each other. Maybe this year will be a really important growth experience for both of us. You can show me the fancy side of the city, and I can show you the seedy artsy underground.”
“How seedy are we talking here?” I chuckled. “You’re not going to take me down any secret back alleys to underground illegal clubs, are you? Where I have to say a code word to get in?”
“Actually, I’ve heard of a little jazz club in Kensington Market that is a genuine booze can, and it’s been running for years. I wonder if it’s still there.”
I tried not to look horrified at the thought of her going to such a place. My protective instincts were possibly a little too strong, and I realized that I’d have to be careful not to smother her just because she was playing the part of my girl.
M I A
<<< 5 >>>
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
I woke up, my eyes opening slightly as I stretched out my back a little. It took me a blink to realize that I was in Jacob’s living room. It took me another blink to realize that I was lying on Jacob’s chest, his arms around me as he breathed slow and deep just under my ear.
The last thing I remember was going over details of moving into this place on Friday. I guess we had just fallen asleep, but I’m not sure how I ended up in this position. But I couldn’t move a muscle. I’d never felt so perfect and comfortable in my entire life. He smelled incredible, and being held against the wall of muscle that was his chest was incredibly sensual.
From the beginning, I thought that Jacob was positively gorgeous, but I never allowed myself to think he would be genuinely interested in me. He seemed to think that I was good company, and I adored making him laugh. But he belonged with one of those high society girls, who knew how to behave at country clubs and delighted in things like wedding registries and exotic vacations.
Yet the way he looked at me was riveting. Engaging. I couldn’t tell whether he was infatuated with the idea of acquiring the eight million, plus his uncle’s house, or whether he genuinely liked the thought of having me around.
My glitches about spending money seemed to amuse him. I’m not sure whether he wanted to show me how the other half lives, or open my mind, or whether he was touched that I was not influenced by material things.
No matter what he thought of me, he seemed to be thinking about looking out for me, taking care of my best interests.
I knew that we obviously needed to keep our relationship professional because we could never go anywhere else. But even in the context of faking a relationship, I felt a deep flutter in the pit of my stomach every time he touched my hand or give me a little hug.
How I ended up lying on top of him in his arms, I had no idea. Since I was here and he was hopefully okay with it, I guess I could stay a little longer.
I tilted my head slightly to look at the clock, and his arms snuggled me a bit more tightly as if he never wanted me to leave. It was probably a completely unconscious reaction, and I could have been any girl who was soft and warm in his arms.
Part of me didn’t want to know whether he knew it was me or not. Turning my head just a bit more, I saw it was five in the morning, so I was definitely staying here for the night. But was it proper to sleep on top of him like this?
I turned my head back, trying to figure out what to do, then heard him murmur, “Mmm, stay right here, Mia.”
I froze. I had no idea whether not he was awake, but the fact that he reached for me in his sleep was incredible. My mind began racing even more. What if he really did have feelings for me? How could that work?
As much as my brain was reeling, my body was making all of the real decisions, spreading over his and wrapping my arms behind his neck as I melted into him completely. This was likely a one time thing, an accident, so I may as well enjoy it.
He kept talking about us faking our relationship convincingly, so if he did mention this, we could just laugh it off as subliminal bonding. That sounded completely plausible.
JACOB
<<< 6 >>>
MORNING LIGHT
The sun was streaming in the windows, and I was overwhelmed with the feeling of contentment and peace. I couldn’t open my eyes yet, but I was filled with a sense of warmth. Then I felt the weight. Mia was in my arms, snuggled against me as if she belonged here, curled into my chest as if it were her home.
I had been trying so hard to keep things professional between us, but at every turn, I was struck by the fact that her sweet little body called to me on a deep, primal level. I couldn’t look at her without thinking thoughts that would have made her blush.
I had no idea how we ended up asleep on the couch,
curled up together, but I was absolutely stricken by the thought of her being embarrassed when she woke up.
I took a moment to gauge our positions, our limbs, and my potential velocity.
Then I sat up smoothly, maneuvering her so that she was lightly draped on my shoulder, instead of intimately curled into my chest. Once she was sort of sitting up, I arranged her on the couch with pillows under her head, then slipped out.
I quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth, then went back to the kitchen to make coffee. Good grief, I thought, I don’t even know how she likes her coffee. I was struck once again by the absolutely ludicrous nature of our undertaking, but I had to try. Letting that house go to my childish brother was simply not an option.
As I puttered in the kitchen, I watched Mia beginning to stir on the couch. She finally sat up, looking around and blinking. “How do you take your coffee?” I asked.
She looked over at me, not exactly startled, but a little put off at where she was. “Just a splash of milk, please.”
I brought her a mug, sitting at the far end of the couch with my own. I didn’t think I should bring up our time cuddling unless she did.
“Wow,” she said, pushing her in her face and taking a big swig of coffee. “I’m sorry. Must have passed right out last night.”
“No worries. So did I, apparently.”
“But I think we got a lot of work done and took a lot of notes.”
“We have an appointment with my lawyer in an hour, since there is always paperwork to deal with.”
Mia froze for a second, then seemed to take a deep breath. “Will he know this isn’t a real wedding?”
I shook my head. “Not his business. He would never say a word. It will be legally real, and that’s all that matters to him.”
“Oh.” She suddenly looked uncomfortable. “I guess I’ll need to know the budget for the wedding. I’ll be as cheap as I can, but since this is all last minute...”
“Shh,” I cut her off. “Mia, my family is used to spending a ridiculous amount of money on weddings, birthdays, or any event that warrants a party. They’re nuts. So whatever we spend, it’s taken care of, and will be less than anyone expects.” I chuckled. “Unless you really feel that you need elephants or something.”
She looked horrified. “I couldn’t spend very much. Trust me, I’ll keep it as reasonable as possible.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yeah, I do.” I looked at her quizzically. Taking a deep breath, she turned slightly to face me. “Listen, I feel disgusted at the thought of wasting money. I grew up pretty poor at some points, and it’s just not right to spend money like it doesn’t mean anything.”
I nodded, thinking. “Okay. I hear you. But my family will expect some kind of show.”
“This whole relationship is a show.” She laughed so hard I had to join her.
“You’re right. So, how about we do a fairly small, medium-fancy wedding, that’s just the level of fancy that you’re comfortable with, that costs what my family expects, but not so much that you’re upset?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.”
I tried to lean back to give her a little space, realizing that my body was always trying to get closer to her.
“Would it be okay if I had two of my friends over as soon as I move in on Friday?” she asked. “I’m going to have to announce the news, and start answering all of their questions, so I might as well get started.”
“Of course. Would you like me to be here?”
“No. Well,” she thought for a moment. “What if you were here to meet them, then had to go? That way they can grill me. I’ll take notes of anything you’ll need to be prepared for.”
“That sounds good. I’ll make sure that there is lots of white in the wine fridge for you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You just assume that since it’s girls night, it’s a white wine situation?”
“Yes. That’s what I assume.” I stuck out my tongue until she giggled. There was a definite magnetic pull between us that was tricky to ignore.
She thrust her bottom lip out in a gorgeous pout. “Fine. Just sit there being right all the time.”
M I A
<<< 7 >>>
THE LAWYER
I still couldn’t believe that Jacob needed me to come with him to the lawyer’s, but he insisted. Sam Howe seemed like a nice fatherly man with salt and pepper hair, who quickly ushered us into his posh dark wood office,. We settled in front of his gigantic desk as he handed me a huge stack of papers. Jacob seemed completely comfortable, as if he’d been coming here for years.
“Do you want your own lawyer to go over these?” Sam asked me.
I tried not to roll my eyes. “Do you actually think I have a lawyer?”
“I’d gladly pay for one, if you’d like your own,” Jacob offered.
“That’s a waste,” I said automatically. “Um, I guess my only question is, am I at any risk here? If I mess up, I’m not going to owe millions in penalties or fines?” I tried to sound light, but the terror of this much money was kicking in hard. I could feel my shoulders starting to twitch from nerves.
Jacob placed his hand in the center of my back, and I nearly laughed as he began gently rubbing light circles. “No penalties. The worst thing that could happen to you would be if you quit, and I’d have to request the return of any assets like cars or expensive jewelry.”
I nodded. That seemed more than fair.
“But,” he continued, “Did you read the section about termination? If you outright quit, I get to publicly blame you for the whole thing, to try to save face with my family. Which I would never want to do,” he added quickly. “And I don’t think it would come to that. I’m sure we can stick it out for the year.”
“One year and one month,” Sam said quietly.
“And what would happen to you if we don’t make it?” I asked hesitantly. This stuff was seriously scaring me, but his hand against my thin shirt was comforting me enough that I felt okay asking.
He looked uncomfortable. “I might lose my uncle’s inheritance, the house would go to George, and there is a chance I might be publicly shamed to the point where I had to step down as CEO.”
My mouth fell open. “Holy shit,” I squeaked.
“Yeah. But that’s not for you to worry about.” He let go of my back to take my hand and give it a little reassuring shake. “That part isn’t your business. I’m asking so much of you that I don’t want to add to your worries. Your only job is to play the part of the fabulous fiancée and wife to the very best of your ability.”
Sam nodded. “I’m sure there will be some stress over the wedding, since it has to happen before the tenth.”
We both turned to him. “What?” Jacob said, stunned.
Sam pulled out a sheaf of papers from another folder. “I thought that you’d read these. The time allotment for the asset settlements is September tenth.”
“What day of the week is that?” I asked, hearing my voice raising to nearly a cartoon pitch.
“Monday.”
I turned to Jacob, who looked back at me, worried. “Well, the date is set then. We’re getting married Sunday, September ninth.”
“Is that too soon?” he asked, his eyes strained with worry.
I nodded. “We’ll work our asses off, get it done, and take the next week off to recover. We can do it.”
“I love that you’re so determined,” he said, obviously relieved.
“Once the invitations are sent out and the date looks official,” Sam said, “I can have the real estate agent who has been maintaining the property talk to you about the house. A weekly caretaker is maintaining the property now, but I can have them allow you access for a detailed look at the current condition, to begin planning the proper upgrades next year.”
I looked at Jacob sharply. “You said the house was gorgeous. Why would it need upgrading?”
He smiled as if he knew what I was thinking. “Not
silly trendy redecorating. There are a few old doors and windows that need replacing, and since the patio stones have apparently not weathered well, I may want to replace them before the whole thing collapses, and extend the area another ten feet. Nothing major, nothing wasteful. I promise. Just general upkeep.”
“Okay.” I nodded gravely, then let them go over the rest of the details, signing everything they set in front of me.