“This is not solely about insurance,” Chandler said. The grin that was tugging his mouth made me angrier by the minute.
“It is about preventing avoidable harm.”
“And what does Belle think of this?” Chandler asked with an infuriating sparkle in his eye.
Geoffrey looked between us.
“She’s proud,” I said.
Chandler merely cocked an eyebrow and nodded.
“She needs time. She thinks I’m doing this because I pity her.”
There was a long pause in the room.
“And why are you doing it, sir?” Geoffrey asked in her perfectly polished British way. He watched me carefully.
“Why are you two suddenly so full of questions?”
First, the sudden urge to take care of Belle. Now these two were questioning me. It was quite the turn my life had taken the moment I saw her limp.
“And if she accepts. What then?” Chandler asked.
“Then we proceed,” I said plainly.
Chandler almost had a full smile now.
Geoffrey’s voice softened, just slightly. “You are aware that marriage involves proximity.”
“Yes.”
“Shared space,” he continued.
“Yes.”
“Emotional exposure,” he said with a careful nod.
I held his gaze. “This is business,” I repeated.
Chandler let out a low breath.
“She’s injured. She’s living in a van. She can’t afford a doctor,” I explained for what felt like the hundredth time.
“And you can fix that,” Chandler said.
“I can.” I wasn’t sure if they were being purposefully obtuse, but it was starting to irritate me.
Geoffrey inclined his head slowly. Chandler crossed his arms.
“If this blows up in your face—” Chandler started.
“It will not.”
Silence.
Geoffrey broke it. “If she agrees, sir, we will ensure the legal framework protects both parties.”
“Yes.”
