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I know it’s because of what’s at stake. If this gets out, it would have all been for nothing, and we can’t have that. I want to do this for him. I don’t want his money. I just want to help him. The guys have been a huge part of my life. Where Emerson went, I went, and well, they were just always there. I have no doubt in my mind that if it were me, one of them, hell, all of them, except for Roman, who only has eyes for his wife, would step up to help me.
“As long as it’s on me,” Legend replies huskily.
“Done.”
“Just like that?” Forrest asks.
“Why is it so hard to believe that I’d want to help him? I’d do it for any of you. This is huge. Five million dollars is life-changing. I understand why he’s not willing to marry a stranger. We’ve known each other for a long time. We all spend a lot of time together. It’s believable that something has been brewing between us. I’m the best candidate. Besides, Legend can trust me. I’m not out to take over his life or his bank account.” I turn sideways in his lap to face him. “The offer is on the table. You’re not going to hurt my feelings if you say you don’t want to go through with it. However, I think you should consider it. It’s too much money to pass up. I know you, Legend Raines. I know you’d give back to those who matter to you. The shop, your parents, your future wife and kids, the real one.” I wink.
“We need to talk about this.” He stands with me in his arms. “We’re using a guest room,” he announces as he turns and heads up the stairs.
“That comes after the wedding, buddy!” Lachlan calls out.
I laugh and loop my arms around Legend’s neck. “I can walk, you know.”
He grunts but doesn’t put me down as he ascends the stairs.
With heavy steps, he pushes into the first guest room and kicks the door closed. The room is empty. Emerson and Roman have only lived here a short time. He’s not even breathing heavily when he places me on my feet. I watch him as he rakes his hands through his hair and paces across the room.
“Legend.” I whisper his name into the quiet room.
He stops pacing and his ice-blue eyes lock on me. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you doing this? Why offer up potentially two years of your life for me?”
“You’re a good guy. I hate what your grandparents did to your mother, and I hate what they’re doing to you. They’re trying to control you. I want what’s best for you, and with that money, you’d be set for life, Legend.”
“I do well for myself now. Money changes you.” He crosses his arms over his chest. It’s a protective stance, but he doesn’t need protecting. Not from me. I know what this is, or what it will be, rather. An understanding. An agreement between two friends.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
“I agree with you. It does change some people, but I can’t see it changing you. You’re such a down-to-earth person, and you’d do anything for your friends and family. I know how you helped Roman and then again when you talked to Forrest once he found out about them. You care about those who are close to you. You would never let something like the balance in your bank account change that.”
“Will it change you?”
“Considering I’m not making millions on my dental hygienist salary, I’m going with a no. Even if I were making millions, the answer would still be no.”
“I won’t let you do this for free.”
“Then no deal.”
“Monroe.” He sighs. “If we do this, you’re giving up so much for me. I have to pay you for your time.”
“Let me ask you something. If I were to call you in the middle of the night and tell you I was stranded in another state—let’s say Kentucky—on my way home from school. What would you do?”
“I’d get to you as fast as I could.”
“Would you charge me?”
“No. Of course not,” he scoffs.
I give him a pointed look.
“It’s not the same. This is giving up your life for over a year. Probably a year and a half because we’ll have to date, get married, and then be married for a year.”
“I’m aware of the timeline. We won’t have to do much dating. Just be seen together, holding hands or whatnot, and announce the engagement. It’s plausible that we’ve been dating secretly, given how much time we are together. My only stipulation is that my parents be there.”
