AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Seven
Silver
Wedding number two was tonight. And I was to be offered up like a stuffed pinata as Liam’s feckless fiancé. My blood boiled at the thought of it. There was no doubt in my mind that Liam’s sneaky plan was laced with trouble. Fake fiancé, my ass. He wanted my undivided attention. He didn’t want me picking up any hot eligible bachelors at these weddings. Fine. Henry Donovan was handsome, smart and from one of the best, most powerful families in the country. And he’d made it clear that he was interested in more than just business. What Liam didn’t realize was I’d had no chemistry with Henry Donovan. Strange, but there was nothing about him that interested me.
Besides, I was on strike from men, my mind was all business, and my celibacy pledge was still going strong. Wasn’t it? I mean, I’d managed to resist Liam’s wily temptation so far.
Well, I was going to beat him at his own game. I’d received my first two pay checks from my job as National Director for Chase Enterprises. And I was basking in my new six figure salary, laughing all the way to the nail salon.
“What so funny?” Lexy asked as I leaned back in the chair next to her and admired my brightly painted toe nails as they dried.
“I’m just thinking about the dresses I bought for the next few weddings. They are to die for and directly aimed at making Liam suffer at these intolerable weddings. You know, I really do hope Maribel De Ville is there to finally give him some tango lessons. He deserves it.”
“Wow, feeling vengeful much?” she said as she stretched out next to me. Lexy had the cutest little toes on her tiny feet and had opted to have them painted a bright lavender.
“I’m just upset he feels the need to make me his fake fiancé rather than his fake business partner, you know? Incredibly sexist.”
“Maybe. But I think he just wants to claim you, like some crazed vampire who has marked you as his mate.”
“You read way too many of those vampire romances. You are going to end up with some goth guy who lives in his mother’s basement.”
“I don’t think so. I'm still kind of crushing on the mystery guy. And he is as far from goth as you can get.”
I leaned over close to Lexy. “Oh, please tell all. Have you found out who he is yet?”
She frowned. “Not yet. But I’m working on it. I kind of like the mystery though. I can imagine him to be this international spy, or undercover military type or maybe even a secret royal prince. Who knows? My imagination can be quite inventive.” She gave me a wink.
I laughed. “I bet. Just make sure he isn’t married and hiding a family on some other continent. I’ve seen stuff like that on TV and it’s really awful.”
“I really hope that is not the case. He doesn’t seem like the type. But what do I know? I work in a casino.”
“And you are brilliant, smart and savvy because you work in a casino. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise,” I said. I was all about building up my gal pals. The world was hard enough to face when you were in your twenties, under paid and at the mercy of crappy managers who didn’t appreciate you.
“Thanks, Silver. I love you, girl,” she said.
“And I love you back,” I said.
Lexy considered me in silence for a moment. “Okay, I’m going to be honest here and tell you something you need to hear. Liam is a good guy. And I think he really cares about you, otherwise he never would have offered you that job. I just want to put that out there.”
“It’s complicated,” I said. “I don’t think he is Dr. Evil or anything but I'm still pissed that he stole my account.”
Lexy side-eyed me and it wasn’t pretty. “Steal? It was a competition between the companies you each worked for, and he won the account. Now he’s invited you to get it back. Together. Just saying.”
“Okay, but there was a little more to it than that. You’ve said your peace. I'm just protecting myself from future heart break. We are a partnership for business purposes now. And nothing else.”
Lexy stifled a mocking laugh. “If you say so. What are you wearing tonight?”
“The sexiest dress I could find that would still be acceptable to wear to a society wedding.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Exactly.”
“Fair enough,” I said. “But all’s fair in love and war, right?”
“So, they say. However, keep in mind, Silver. You may win the battle, but lose the war if you aren’t careful. Tread lightly on a man like Liam. He doesn’t seem like the type who gives up when he truly wants something. And I am certain he wants you.”
I shrugged as if I didn’t care. Liar. Damn it, I wanted him too. But it would be hell and high water before I ever let Liam know that.
***
