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Arlo's eyebrows rise. "Really?"
"Yes." I fork the triangle of waffle between Arlo's lips. "I'll fight like hell to protect you. If you need anything in this penthouse, a certain type of food, rubber bands for your braces, I'll buy it for you. I'll even take you to my brother's medical office to get you a full checkup."
Arlo's jaw tumbles to the ground. "You're joking."
I shake my head. "What Gianluca did in the club wasn't enough. You mentioned a secret medical condition, boy, and my brother must give you a full exam. He'll refer you to a specialist if he can't help you. And then," I continue, brushing a bead of syrup from Arlo's pink lips, "I'll take you to the biggest adult playroom in Manhattan. Little Land. After that, we'll head to the Alien Museum, where we can look at exhibits of extraterrestrial life all afternoon."
Arlo bites his lower lip. "I don't need your charity. I told you this last night."
"Oh, sweetie." A gruff laugh escapes me as I gnash my teeth together. "This isn't free. Don't get it twisted."
This gets Arlo's attention. Cautiously, he turns around. "Go on."
I rub my palm on Arlo's thigh. "I already said you'll earn your keep." I keep my voice low. "I didn't tell you that my cousin's getting married in the Hamptons next week."
Arlo cocks an eyebrow at me. "I don't know where you're going with this."
"I need to bring a fake date to his wedding. This is how I'll convince my brothers I'm not broken-hearted over my ex. You'll accompany me."
For the first time all morning, Arlo smiles. He laughs, but then furrows his brow in confusion yet again. "You're joking."
"My family thinks I'm still hung up on my ex-boyfriend. If a sexy boy like you comes to the ceremony with me as my fake boyfriend, I'll ram that false conception down their smug throats."
Arlo chokes on his waffle, then slams his fist on his chest. "This is crazy. I can't accept this."
This is it. In every negotiation, there comes a time to leave. It's the most powerful tool in the book.
I must get Arlo to this wedding. It's the ultimate test to see if we're compatible. My brothers hated my ex-boyfriend from the start, and if I'd brought him around my family sooner, I'd have realized it was a mistake right away. If my family gives Arlo the Ferrari stamp of approval, I'll know he's the one for me.
I stand up and set Arlo on the seat. "You get twenty-four hours to think this offer over."
I slit my eyes and exit the kitchen.
