A Not-So-Indecent Proposal

by L. D. Blakeley

  “Don’t I know it.”

  Vinnie paid the bill and pocketed the receipt. “Thanks,” she said to the waitress as she handed back the machine.

  “Thank you, Vin. Really.”

  ****

  Outside the office, Bram sent a brief text before returning to his desk.

  OK. How do we do this?

  Chapter Eight

  A weight lifted off his shoulders as Spencer read the text for the sixth time. Bram had agreed to his offer. He’d have the money he needed for the plans he’d already put in motion. And he’d have a husband.

  Shit. He’d have a husband.

  He picked up the phone and dialed.

  “Okay, we’re doing this,” he said as soon as Rich answered. “What’s the next step?”

  “Leave it to me. And I’ll text you with all the details.”

  “Thanks, Rich.”

  “My pleasure,” he answered. “And Spence?” Rich chuckled. “Congratulations.”

  “Fuck off.” He hung up, shaking his head in disbelief at the sharp turn his life was about to take.

  True to his word, Rich texted within fifteen minutes. Time, place, date—all of it. He and Bram just needed to show up.

  Which meant a discussion with Bram.

  After confirming the rest of his day would be spent in-office, he messaged: A few things we need to discuss re business proposal. When you’re free, please come see me. If all went accordingly, they could be husband and husband, and AppMedica would have its cash-flow issues solved within the week.

  His hateful grandmother would be spinning in her grave if she knew. The thought delighted Spencer completely.

  Less than half an hour later, Nadine buzzed to let him know Bram had arrived. Cute and punctual. Not that he’d noticed. Much.

  “Hi. Nadine said to come right in?” Bram made his way into the office but hovered as though not sure whether he should sit or stay standing.

  “Come on in.” Spencer gestured toward the chairs directly in front of his desk. “Have a seat. Can I get you a coffee?” He didn’t know why he was suddenly nervous. Sure he did. The looming discussion of wedding plans with a man he barely knew would have had anyone feeling a bit off.

  “No, thanks. I’m good.”

  “Thanks for coming up so quickly. I really appreciate it.”

  “Your timing was perfect.” Bram sat back in his chair and crossed one ankle over his knee. “I just finished up with something and figured this was the perfect break before diving into a new piece of code.”

  “Things are going well, then?”

  “Definitely,” Bram answered with a smile that seemed forced. “I love my job and I’m marrying the boss.”

  Spencer didn’t miss the slight tinge of nervousness.

  “I’m just glad I wasn’t the only intern you promoted to full-time employee,” Bram continued. “People might talk.”

  “Shit.” Spencer hadn’t even considered office gossip. “I’m so sorry,” he said with a frown. “I never even thought—”

  “I’m kidding.” Bram cut him off. “I joke when I’m nervous.” He sat up straight. “Also, I’ve been told my sense of humor sort of sucks. Seriously. Nobody here knows a thing about this anyway,” he continued. “And even if they did, it’s my decision. And nobody else’s business. Besides, it’s just that—business. You said it yourself.”

  Except that kiss had been anything but businesslike. “Right,” Spencer answered tightly. For the sake of his company he could suck it up and ignore any spark he may have felt.

  “Listen, I’ve given this a lot of thought,” Bram said. “I’ve even talked it over with my roommate. And I can promise you, I don’t feel pressured. I stand to gain as much as—if not more than—you do. I’ll be debt-free and gainfully employed doing what I went to school for. How many people can claim that at my age?” Bram’s earnest smile turned playful. “Plus I’ll have the perfect excuse the next time any of my friends try to set me up with a blind date—sorry, guys, I’m married.”

  Spencer felt a bit better at that, but the fifteen years between them gave him pause. “Your age,” was all he said.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were trying to talk me out of this.” Bram’s gaze pinned Spencer to the spot. “If it makes you feel any better, if we had met at a bar or something, I totally would have tried my luck and hit on you.”

  “I’d have let you,” Spencer admitted with a chuckle.

  “Well, I’m glad we’ve cleared that up.” Bram grinned. “So what’s the plan?”

  “We can do everything Thursday.”

  “Oh, wow—so soon.”

  “Best to get the paperwork squared away as soon as we can,” Spencer explained.

  “That way I can take it all to my family’s lawyer and get things moving. Also, Rich managed to pull some strings for us so we can file the paperwork for the license, then have the ceremony straightaway.”

  “Rich?”

  “My buddy who drew up the contract. He’s a lawyer, but not my lawyer. We’ve been friends for years. My own lawyer knows nothing about any of this yet. As far as she’s concerned, this,” he gestured to himself, then Bram, “is nothing short of a love match.”

  “Yeah, I suppose it wouldn’t look so great, would it?”

  “If you want to have a lawyer look over the contract, though, I understand.” He should have offered that earlier. “I didn’t even think.”

  “No, it’s fine. I’ve read it over at least a half dozen times. Vinnie read it twice, too.” There was a calmness in Bram’s voice that felt reassuring. “It’s probably stupid of me,” he continued. “But I’ve signed more detailed contracts for cellphones without reading a word.”

  “You’ll need a witness, then. For the contract and the wedding.”

  “Good. Because I’m pretty sure Vinnie would kick my ass if I got married, real or otherwise, without her there.”

  “Can she meet us here? We can all head to city hall together in my car. Rich said he’d meet us there by one o’clock, and we should be able to get there and back within an hour or so. I can have a word with Max in case we end up eating into your lunch break.”

  “Ah, romance,” Bram teased.

  Chapter Nine

  Where are you? Bram texted Vinnie. He was waiting in the lobby where they’d agreed to meet. Spencer had headed down to the parking garage and would be pulling around to the front of the building to meet them any minute.

  “Right here,” she answered so close to his ear, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

  “Jesus, Vinnie. Creep much?”

  “I make enough noise in these shoes to wake the dead,” she said, holding a foot aloft for Bram to see the offending accessory. “It’s not my fault you’re completely distracted,” she added, grabbing him around the waist in a friendly hug. “It’s like you’re getting married or something.”

  Despite his protestation, she’d taken the entire day off work and dressed for the occasion like it was an actual wedding. She wore a slinky dress, and her usual topknot was replaced by a riot of glossy curls that framed her face and made her look like a naughty cherub. Bram wore jeans, like it was any other day. “Not that I don’t appreciate all your efforts,” he said with a sigh, “but this isn’t exactly a celebration of two souls uniting.”

  “Well, in the eyes of the law it is,” she pointed out. “Besides, you’re the first one of my friends to tie the knot. Let me have my fun.”

  “Just promise me you’ll behave?” he pleaded. “I love this job and would like to keep it.”

  “Do I need to point out that you’re, literally, marrying the boss? I don’t think getting fired is something you need to be worrying about.”

  Bram shook his head and led Vinnie by the hand out of the building to Spencer’s waiting car. His four-ways were flashing, and Bram hoped he hadn’t been waiting long. The passenger window lowered as they approached, and Spencer leaned across the center console.

  “Good ti
ming,” he said. “I just threw it into park.”

  Vinnie gave Bram’s hand a squeeze and forced him into the front seat, jumping into the back before he had a chance to object.

  “Spencer, this is Vinnie,” he said once he was in and buckled up. “Vin, this is Spencer.”

  “Nice to finally meet you,” she said.

  “You, too,” Spencer answered as he pulled out into traffic.

  City hall wasn’t far and parking was a surprisingly easy affair. Vinnie kept her promise and limited the conversation to polite small talk.

  When they arrived, Spencer pulled in next to a well-dressed man standing in front of his car. Rich, Bram presumed.

  “The grooms-to-be!” He set a folder on the car’s hood and held his arms out in welcome.

  “And that would be Rich,” said Spencer as they climbed out.

  Bram closed the passenger door and stood quietly as he waved hello.

  “Would you get your butt over there and say hello like a man about to get married?” Vinnie whispered. In his ear. Loudly.

  “I like her.” Rich chuckled.

  “Hi.” Bram walked over to the two men. “I’m Bram. That’s Vinnie.” He gestured toward his friend.

  “Nice to meet you, Bram. Vinnie.” Rich held out his hand to each of them in turn. “Rich.” He opened the folder and spread out the document Bram had already read countless times. “I’ve got some paperwork that needs all our autographs. Then we can go get you two kids hitched.”

  This was really happening. Was he having second thoughts? A glance over at Spencer, who looked the same as Bram felt, confirmed he wasn’t. There was no downside to this arrangement. Was there?

  The four of them quickly signed and witnessed the contract, and Rich slipped it back into its folder before tossing it onto the car’s back seat.

  “So what happens with that now?” Bram asked.

  “I’ll make copies for you both and file the original at my office.” He glanced at Bram and must have noticed his uneasy expression. “I know it probably seems like Spence holds all the cards here, but trust me when I say he needs you more than you need him. Plus I’ll kick his ass if he even thinks about wiggling out of his end of this deal.”

  Bram doubted that. They’d never discussed the specifics of why Spencer needed his grandmother’s money, only that it was for the company. He suspected, though, should this arrangement fall apart it wouldn’t leave him with a huge mountain of debt. A debt that would soon be done and dusted, he reminded himself. He smiled at that. “Let’s get married,” he said, giving Spencer his best attempt at what he hoped came across as bedroom eyes. There was nothing in the contract that said he couldn’t flirt with his fiancé.

  “We’ll have to wait in the lobby while you two do the interview and fill out the paperwork for the license,” said Rich. “So just come get us when you’re ready to head in for the ceremony.”

  “Interview?” Should they have rehearsed a few answers ahead of time?

  “Just simple questions like where were you born, current residence, stuff like that,” Vinnie quickly reassured him.

  “And how, exactly, do you know that?”

  “That’s not what’s important right now. Go!” She pushed him toward Spencer, who was holding the door for him.

  “We’re definitely discussing this later,” he said over his shoulder as he made his way into the massive yet unremarkable cubicle farm of government employees. It was oddly quiet, despite the volume of people milling about. A few people waited in lines, but Spencer led them away from the throngs and to a separate door marked City Clerk’s Office.

  “Hi there,” he said to the pretty receptionist. “Kemp and Wilson. We have an appointment?”

  “Ah, yes. Mr. Kemp, if you and Mr. Wilson would like to follow me, I’ll take you through to Rita and she can get you all settled.”

  “Thanks.” He casually took Bram’s hand and held it as they walked through the corridor toward their destination.

  Stupid butterflies.

  Bram put on his business face and tried his best to ignore the chaotic jumble of thoughts currently trying to topple his better judgment.

  As it happened, Vinnie was right, and the so-called interview was nothing more than a verbal application. He’d been worried for nothing. They signed all the requisite paperwork and were told to wait a moment while everything they needed for the ceremony was gathered together. Through it all, Spencer only let go of Bram’s hand long enough to add his signature to the forms. Bram didn’t mind at all as they sat there holding hands like two teenagers.

  “Okay, here we are.” The cheerful clerk handed over a clear plastic envelope full of documents. “You’re all set,” she said with a broad smile. “Congratulations. And tell that Richard I expect his entire family at Thanksgiving dinner this year.”

  “Thank you,” they said in unison. Bram fought the urge to giggle. And when Spencer squeezed his hand and trailed his thumb over Bram’s knuckles, he fought the urge to swoon.

  Chapter Ten

  Spencer wasn’t sure why he hadn’t let go of Bram’s hand. He’d taken it at first to present a united-looking front. So they would appear as any other couple getting ready to be married.

  With their documents tucked under one arm, he led Bram back out into the lobby where Rich and Vinnie waited.

  “All set?” Rich stood as they entered the room. Vinnie did likewise once she realized they’d returned.

  “Good to go,” he answered, noting Vinnie’s eyes as she clocked his and Bram’s entwined fingers. She said nothing, but her smile spoke volumes. Checking his watch, he added, “I think we’re probably up next.”

  The words had barely left his mouth when a middle-aged woman called their names and ushered them into the wedding chamber. It was a small, solemn room with large windows overlooking council chambers on one side and a green rooftop on the other.

  This was it. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

  Spencer pictured his employees and imagined their potential investors pouring cash into their eventual IPO. Then he pictured his grandmother’s bigoted face. No way was he backing out.

  “You okay?” he asked so only Bram could hear. He only had to say the word and Spencer would tear up the contract and send him on his way—no harm, no foul.

  But he didn’t. Instead he stepped closer to Spencer and smiled. “I’m one hundred percent okay.”

  That was all he needed to hear.

  The ceremony itself was nothing to write home about. The vows were short, sweet, and to the point. He and Bram signed on the dotted lines with Rich and Vinnie as their witnesses. And just as Spencer was about to mentally pat himself on the back for making it through without any hiccups, the officiant asked, “Who has the rings?”

  Fuck.

  Vinnie snickered over Bram’s right shoulder, and Rich stepped forward with a smug grin plastered across his face. “I do,” he said with a wink. He handed over two plain gold bands, one of which the officiant placed in Spencer’s hand. The other he handed to Bram.

  Spencer and Bram locked eyes. The words being said were lost in a buzz, but Spencer dutifully slipped a band onto Bram’s left ring finger and waited for Bram to do likewise to him.

  As they stood facing one another, hands entwined, the words “I now pronounce you husband and husband” cut through the fog.

  “Now kiss!” Vinnie’s voice cut through even further. Another thing he hadn’t considered. Not that he needed to.

  Bram stepped closer and gently placed a hand at Spencer’s waist. And before he realized what was happening, they were kissing. Which wasn’t supposed to be part of the arrangement at all. And just like last time, Spencer was lost to Bram. Their lips gently pressed together, sending tiny prickles of heat through Spencer. But it stayed respectable. They were in public after all. And it was a wedding, not the back seat of his car. And didn’t that thought bring some inappropriate ideas with it? Dammit.

  He quickly stepped back, clearing his th
roat. Bram still hadn’t let go of his gaze, and the look in his eyes spoke of heated promise. Also not part of the deal.

  “Congratulations to you both.” The officiant held even more paperwork, which Spencer took. “This is your Record of Solemnization of Marriage, not an official marriage certificate. In about twelve weeks, you can apply for that.”

  “Oh, okay. Thanks.”

  And with that, it was over. He was married. To a man seventeen years his junior. He looked at their joined hands and the gold that glinted back at him.

  When he looked up, Bram was still watching him through dark, sooty lashes. He almost missed them being ushered out. “Sorry to rush you along, folks,” said the kindly officiant. “Ordinarily I wouldn’t, but since we squeezed you in between appointments, our next couple is already here and ready to go.”

  “I guess we should be on our way, then.” Spencer led the way, still holding Bram’s hand tightly, as they made their way toward the parking lot.

  “Thanks again for everything, Rich,” Spencer said as he unlocked his car. “We’ll talk soon.”

  “Cheers, buddy. Nice to meet you both,” Rich added before hopping into his car and starting the engine.

  “It feels like we should be making toasts or going somewhere fancy to eat,” Vinnie said, interrupting the quiet after they were back in traffic.

  “It wasn’t a real wedding, Vin.” Bram’s voice sounded flat, almost chastising. It sent a slight pang of remorse through Spencer’s chest.

  “No, I know, but still.” She was quiet for a moment, then asked, “Spencer, would you mind dropping me off up here at the next set of lights? It’s closer to our place, and I’d rather walk as few blocks as possible in these heels.”

  “I can just drop you home,” he answered, taking the next left. He didn’t remember the exact number, but the street itself and the building he knew.

  “Wait, you know where we live?” Vinnie asked when she realized he wasn’t asking for directions and simply pulled up in front of their apartment. “Of course you do,” she added with a knowing smile. “Thanks for the lift. I’ll see you when you get home, Mr.” She hesitated, then teased, “Is it still Mr. Wilson? Or do I call you Wilson-Kemp?”