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“I don’t go to church. But I do believe in the sanctity of marriage. I don’t think you should just say ‘I do’ for cash. God, I’d give you a million dollars right now and you wouldn’t have to marry me. You know I would.”
“Yes, I know.” I draw up my knees and rest my cheek on them, looking out at the garden.
“All the years I’ve known you, you’ve never let me give you money.” She sounds hurt. “You don’t know how hard it is, having a rich parent, seeing your friends struggle, and not being able to help.”
“Gabs, come on, you’ve helped me a lot.” At school she often bought me lunch or treated me to clothes or other things I couldn’t afford.
“But for you to accept a million dollars… have things gotten worse with your parents?”
I watch a fantail hopping along the edge of the deck. Leia has rolled onto her side and she’s watching it too. “My father lost his job.”
“Oh, God, when?”
“I found out on the trivia night, just after you invited me.”
“Oh, Aroha. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was trying to sort it myself. I was doing okay until I lost my job.”
She inhales, clearly shocked. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me any of this!” She sounds hurt again. We’re best friends, and we’re supposed to tell each other everything.
“I was embarrassed,” I admit, a little stiffly. “And James happened to be there right when I finished the phone call. I told him what had happened, and he said he needed some help at the office, sorting out a presentation for a couple of weeks.”
“I knew you were helping there, but I thought it was just while the salon was closed for the holidays.”
“And then of course a couple of days in, Maddie died, and he asked me to look after Leia instead.”
“You should have told me.”
“I know. I’ve hurt your feelings, and I’m really sorry about that.”
She clears her throat. “It’s okay. I understand. But let me give you some money now, if you need it. If your parents need it. Don’t sign up for a two-year contract just to sort things out.”
“It’s not just about the money, though, or I might say yes. It’s also about Leia.”
She sighs. “There must be another way.”
“He could take the risk that his lawyer would win the case even if James stays single, but apparently sole male applicants can’t normally adopt female children unless there are special circumstances. James is Leia’s uncle, and the lawyer thinks this situation qualifies as a special circumstance, but it’s possible the judge wouldn’t agree, whereas if James was married…”
“Yeah, I get it.” Gaby sighs.
“There’s also something else,” I add. “James’s father has threatened to write him out of his will if he doesn’t get married and produce an heir.”
“Jesus. It’s like Dallas and Dynasty all over again.”
“I know. It’s archaic. I think it’s one reason why James went out with Cassie for so long.”
“Oh… that would make sense. They never seemed suited.”
“I think he was just desperate to find someone, anyone. And at least this way he can keep it all about business.”
“What about producing an heir?” she teases. “Is that going to be in your contract?”
“I might have to draw the line there.” She knows I don’t want children of my own.
“I don’t know. It’d be fun trying.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
