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I groan in annoyance. I had plans to make my moves on Amelia tonight, but I guess I’ll have to wait a little longer. I’ve made it this far, I can make it a little longer.
I head upstairs to get changed, not making too much of an effort. I don’t want Claudia to get the impression that I’m taking this seriously. I don a shirt and some slacks, not bothering with a tie. If I was getting ready to spend the night with Amelia, things would be very different. But the fact is, I’m stuck on this date and there’s not much I can do now. I curse my father under my breath. Why does he always get the last word?
I head downstairs just as the doorbell rings and check my watch. I guess it must be Claudia. I suppose my father told her to meet me here so that I couldn’t back out. Maybe he thought I wouldn’t even find out about it until it was too late. He was always one step ahead of me, even now that he’s gone.
And damn, his plan worked.
As I’m opening the door, I try to make a swift exit, but Claudia steps straight inside, kissing my cheeks with a flourish.
“I’m so glad we could finally do this,” she gushes. “I’ve been wanting to set up a date between us for years. Your father was so sweet to arrange this for us, God rest his soul.”
I can barely get a word in edgeways as she continues to talk about my father. The pain of his passing is somewhat eased by this, at least. I can’t believe he’s forced my hand like this. I never wanted to play his game, and yet there’s no chance I’m going to win it either if he gets his way.
“Well come now,” Claudia purrs. “Our date awaits.”
She takes my hand and begins to drag me out the door. Just as she does, I see Amelia at the other end of the corridor, watching me leave with shock written across her face. My stomach twists. I know what she must be thinking. She must think I’ve made a move on Claudia based on her advice. She must think I don’t care, that I was never interested in her in the first place…
I need to fix this. I need to go back. But I know I can’t until I’ve dealt with this. One explosive issue at a time. I’ll do damage control when I return, let Amelia know that she’s the only woman in the world for me. She will understand when I explain she’s the perfect woman for me. The only woman for me.
But God, I wish I was with her right now instead of sitting in the passenger seat of Claudia’s car. She reaches over to squeeze my thigh.
“Alright, lover boy,” she purrs. “Let’s do this.”
She takes us to an upscale restaurant in the city, and I order as lightly as I can while Claudia insists on a three course meal. She stares at me from across the table, her piercing eyes making me shiver in the worst way possible. All I can think of is my beautiful Amelia, alone at the house and probably wondering what the hell is going on.
“So, you finally came to your senses, did you?” Claudia asks with a coy smile. “You realized that this match was always meant to be, right?”
“My father set this up,” I snarl. “I had no part in this.”
Claudia doesn't seem fazed by my anger. “You knew it was inevitable, though, two high flying people, both very attractive, both still single at our age, it’s like we’re a match made in heaven, right? We’ve been too busy to settle down, haven’t we? But it’s not too late, and now here we are.”
“Claudia,” I say firmly. “I need you to understand something. This isn't what you think it is. I’m not looking for someone to settle down with.”
“On the contrary,” Claudia purrs, raising an eyebrow. “I know all about the inheritance clause, darling. You’re certainly looking to settle down. You’re looking for a wife.”
I stare at her in disbelief. Did my dad really tell her about the stakes I’m facing? Is that how he got her to come here tonight? She’s not here for me at all.
She’s here for the money.
“You know about the clause?” I growl. Claudia laughs fruitily.
“Of course I do! Your father told me all about it before he died. That’s when we set up this little date. He understood that we would be a good match. And I’m so glad because this is exactly where I want to be.”
I’m so angry that I feel like I could toss the table across the room. How has this happened? How has dad let this ridiculous idea get so far? He told me to marry for love, and then arranged something that’s clearly far from a love match. I foolishly believed he was at least trying to do something good for his son by doing this, trying to make me happy...but now it all feels like some elaborate plan to make me miserable.
