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“I intend to pay back every debt. I promise I will make a mend, and make everything right. But no matter what I do, Jaime is only going to see red. She’s mad I left in the first place. And I never contacted her either.”
“Are there any other possible candidates?” I asked.
“I dated all the girls there. Needless to say, none of those relationships worked out in the least. I’m probably on their most wanted hitlist. They are probably thinking of ways to pay me back for all the awful things I did. How the hell am I supposed to go into a small town full of spiteful women who want me dead, and then propose to one of them on one knee?”
James laughed. “Do you need the inheritance that bad?”
“Yes, it’s my dad’s mansion and his millions. If I don’t take it, then it goes to his money hungry law
yers. And the contract is ironclad. My dad worked his ass off for everything he has. He spent his entire life making his fortune. How can I let it all go to those sharks? I don’t know why my dad didn’t give it to his brother.”
“Because he knew you’d react this way. You’d do what he wanted because you wouldn’t want to see all his hard work go to the lawyers.”
“He’s manipulating me from the grave.”
“Try the blonde,” Nick said. “Jaime. Split the money with her. No matter how much she hates you, she won’t say no. Especially since it’s fake. Just marry her for a year, then divorce. It’s a provocative proposal.”
“She’ll slam the door on my face.”
“It’s worth a try. Tell her it’s a business arrangement, one that will make you both rich. And if she doesn’t care about money, then be brutally honest. Tell her, without her, the money will go to the shark lawyers. She won’t want that. She knows your dad. And you guys were best friends. If she has a heart, she’ll want to help you. Unless she’s married by now.”
“I’m here for a couple of days, then I’m off to tie the knot with...well...someone. I just don’t know who yet. Can you believe I’m taking the plunge? I’ll be married before James!”
James laughed. “Ha ha. I guess you’ll be testing the marital waters.”
“I know I’ll be married soon, I just don’t know who to,” Charlie said.
James held up his drink. “Then let’s have a toast. To Charlie’s future wife, whoever the hell she will be.”
“And please invite us to the wedding!” Abby said.
“Fake wedding,” Charlie clarified.
We all clanked our glasses.
“Cheers,” I said.
WHILE THE OTHERS TALKED, James and I went back inside to get some snacks to bring out.
Granny walked into the room. “Did you have a nice visit?”
“Yes. But I’m just wondering why you would bring Charlie here. What’s your angle?”
She peered at him. “Oh, darling grandson, you know me so well. I wanted to show two different lives, by two different friends.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“The three of you were exactly the same. None of you had a care in the world. You galloped around the planet partying, drinking, and dating countless women. Now one friend is married and has a daughter. And the other friend is still hopping around the world, dating the next flavor of the month. Do you see the difference I’m trying to point out? What’s your opinion of them?”
“Nick is married now, and Charlie isn’t.”
She took a step closer. “Dig a little deeper. Charlie doesn’t know what he wants in life. He’s breezing through life without a purpose.”
“And you don’t want me to be like him?”
“Yes. Can’t you see? Nick has a purpose in life. Charlie doesn’t.”
“Maybe I don’t have any idea what my purpose is yet. I’ve been walking through the wasteland of not-knowing for years. Maybe I have been feeling lost.”
