Chapter 4
CHASE
“Now, wait a minute here. I can’t possibly bring a wanna-beElle Woodshome for Christmas.” I spring from the faux-leather couch and begin pacing the hardwood floor.
The blonde with the crazy mini-dog rises, hands on hips. “And what is so wrong with Elle Woods? I’ll have you know, she just so happens to be an intelligent, Delta Nu alumni. Besides, the fact that a man like yourself”—her eyes scan me up and down—“knows anything aboutElle Woods, is quite disturbing.”
As she stands before me, lips pursed, eyebrows defiantly raised, it’s hard to deny she’s smoking hot.
Blonde hair, real, not dyed.
Stunning turquoise-blue eyes.
Nice boobs, natural, not the kind women wish money could buy.
Killer looks, pure beauty without all the makeup.
Back in my playboy days, she was the type I’d gravitated to. However, those days, are long gone. Plus, this woman is way too animated, albeit in a strikingly cute sort of way.
I need someone more refined to be my pretend bride-to-be.
Someone I won’t be tempted to…
“Just what do you mean a man like myself?” I ask after my brain finally captures and dissolves her claim.
She scoffs and lifts her chin. “You, with your dark hair, perfect suit, stuffy attitude. You’re like a wanna-beChristian Grey,not someone who watches chick flicks.”
“Actually, Christian Grey’s got nothing on me. And regarding chick flicks, they aren’t my thing.” I tug at my cufflinks. “However, I did watchLegally Blondeduring Netflix and Chill night with a woman two years ago, which is how I got to know Elle Woods. You even have the type of dog she had in the movie.” I pause long enough to smirk. “Hers was much cuter, though.”
Just when I’m sure Blondie is about to swing at me, Holly steps in between us to play referee. “Well now, this is going wonderfully.” She lays a hand along our backs, easing us closer to the couch. “Why don’t you two calm down, have a seat back on the couch, and let’s begin this meet and greet all over again, shall we?”
Reluctantly, I take a seat and so does Elle Woods—or whatever her name is. “I’m sorry, what’s your name again?”
“Her name is Ivy, and while she’s not the brunette you requested, I—”
“Brunette? Holly? I don’t have to dye my hair do I?” Blondie whines.
Ugh. I must be stuck in some sort of ridiculous nightmare. That’s the only reasonable explanation: my mind playing tricks on me since I’ve been stressing over the big mess a small lie’s morphed into.
Holly plunges back onto the recliner, picks up the file folders, and fans herself. “Whew, you guys are exhausting, you know that?” Her gaze slides over to Ivy. “No, sweetheart. You don’t have to dye your beautiful hair.”
I stand, shoving my hands in my pockets. “Look, it’s obvious this isn’t going to work out. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Izzy—”
“Ivy,” they both spit out like a couple of dragons spewing fire.
“Whatever.” I breathe in a sigh. “As I was saying, I just metIvyalong with that vicious little dog who—”
Holly gasps, eyes gleaming. “Oh, Ivy, did you bring BB with you?”
Ivy bobs her head, unearths Killer Chihuahua from that enormous purse-like bag, then hands the pup over to Holly who showers it with kisses. “BB comes just about everywhere with her mama.”
Everywhere?“Well now, there you have it,” I say. “Another reason why this setup isn’t gonna gel. That little dog isn’t going to accompany me home for Christmas.”
Holly retreats back in her seat, sets the dog they’ve been calling BB on her lap, patting its tiny head. “Now, Chase you’re kind of in no position to be picky, dear. I had a brunette for you last week, but since you canceled that meeting…well, Ivy here is all I’ve got left. Besides, she really is perfect for the part. I promise you, she will play the most convincing bride-to-be. Money-back guaranteed.”
Four days.
That’s all I have before I’m set to fly to New York and spend one week at home. Part of me wants to just show up empty-handed, let Dad name someone else President of Hunter, Inc. Yet, at thirty-years-old, I’ve worked too hard to let that title, that responsibility, go to anyone else.
