Page 16 of Let Me Love You

“I’m here to see Mr. Linderman. My name is Serenity—”

Before I can finish my sentence, the blonde straightens and says, “Oh, yes, Ms. Nolan, Mr. Linderman is expecting you.”

It’s almost like whiplash. One second, I’m being dismissed, and the next, I’m suddenly an important person. Her change in demeanor has to be because of Victor.

I resist rolling my eyes.

She stands and opens a door that leads into a long hallway. Her heels click down the ceramic tile, and Summer and I follow. We pass a few closed doors but don’t stop until we get to the corner office.

The woman knocks on the door and pokes her head inside, her voice muffled as she says something, before turning back to me. “He’s ready for you.”

I nod my thanks and scoop Summer up before heading into the office. Landscape art hangs on the walls while a few family pictures are scattered around on all of the free surfaces. A bookcase filled with large tomes is built into the wall behind the gigantic oak desk.

Mr. Linderman sits behind it, and he looks up at me with his glasses halfway down his nose. Standing, he comes around to our side and shakes my hand. “Ms. Nolan, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Victor and I have become good friends over the years, so I’m excited to be able to help the two of you.”

My mouth turns dry. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“And this young lady must be Summer.” My daughter peeks out from behind my leg as he addresses her. “I’ve heard all about you as well.”

Summer doesn’t reply but ducks behind me again.

“I apologize. We’re both tired from the trip here. Please, excuse her.”

Mr. Linderman nods and motions to the two leather chairs in front of his desk. “Well, let’s get right to it then.”

I help Summer into one chair before sitting in the other. “I have a few things I want added to the contract.”

Mr. Linderman nods. “Victor told me you’d have a list, and he said to say yes to everything as long as it doesn’t include signing over his company.”

I grind my molars. Victor can put on his nice-guy act for everyone else, but I still don’t buy it. Trust is earned. I don’t believe in trusting someone until they give me a reason not to, not since Paul.

The door behind me opens, and I turn, sending up a little prayer it’s not the man who takes up all my thoughts while I’m awake. Who am I kidding? Even when I’m dreaming, he pops in to torture me—to remind me my desires aren’t as dormant as I originally thought.

Our gazes collide, and awareness spreads through me. I tear my eyes off Victor’s, and they wander down his black suit. The fabric is tight around his lean muscles, and my fingers instinctively remember how they feel from when he caught me at Sully’s house.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” His deep voice makes my heart flip. “Is the meeting already over?”

The lawyer stands. “I didn’t realize you were attending today, Mr. Barlowe. Allow me to get another chair for you.”

Victor waves him away. “I can stand. I sit all day at work.”

Dragging my gaze off Victor, I take a deep, shaky breath and scoop up Summer, placing her on my lap. She immediately snuggles into me like she always does when she’s in an unfamiliar place. “You can sit in Summer’s seat.”

My stupid, traitorous heart does a somersault as Victor kneels in front of Summer and says, “Well, thank you, m’lady.”

Summer giggles and says, “You’re welcome.”

After both men are seated, Mr. Linderman pushes a packet of papers across the table. “You can read through this and tell me any amendments you want to make. If Mr. Barlowe accepts, I’ll fix it, and the both of you can sign.”

I nod, flipping through all the pages. Is this a contract or a book? I take in the words, hoping I’ll be okay without my own lawyer. “I can’t move in with Victor within a week. I need to give my employer two-week’s notice.”

“Of course.” Victor leans over. “We’ll be staying at my home outside the city. It’s family friendly and more private.”

I nod and read through more. We will be married for a year, like I stipulated earlier. If his father passes earlier than that, we can divorce. There are specific events I have to attend including an acquaintance’s wedding, a charity event, and his parents’ anniversary celebration. Then on top of those, I have to go on multiple public dates to make it seem realistic. My palms dampen. Why is everything suddenly starting to feel real?

“Who are we making it seem realistic for? If we’re married, won’t your dad be satisfied?”

Victor shifts and crosses his leg over the other before explaining why his father is pushing for a love match.