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“No,” I laugh. “And neither do you. Don’t act like you’re all high and mighty. You have three dicks to keep satisfied, so I know sex is always on your brain.”
“Okay, you’re right, you’re right. But they have to keep me satisfied. I’m an insatiable monster,” she says with a grin.
“Well, that’s no secret.” My hands wrap around the metal bar, pushing it up out of the rack.
Lya’s comment has me thinking about sex now. If I marry Marnix, are we going to have to have sex? Is this going to be one of those things where we have to prove that we consummated our marriage, like in medieval times? I shudder at the thought. I love sex, but only when it’s my choice. I’m sure he’s a freak in the sheets with that asshole attitude, but I won’t have a fucking contract telling me I have to have sex with him. I should’ve read the damn thing after he left, but I was too busy trying to talk myself off a ledge while hiding in my office.
As my mind spins, my arms quiver when I bring the heavy bar down to my chest. My muscles shake, trying to push the weight back up, to no avail. Lya grabs the bar and helps me bring it back to the rack.
“What the hell was that? You only got six reps at that weight, when you can easily do twelve,” Lya scolds me. When we're down here, she goes into drill sergeant mode. Zep’s clearly rubbing off on her.
Groaning, I rub my hands over my face. “My head’s not in it. Today’s been a weird day.”
Lya moves around to sit on the end of the bench between my legs. “What happened?”
I know she’s going to freak out but I can’t lie to my best friend. We don’t keep secrets. Well, we don’t keep most secrets. She still doesn’t know how bad my relationship with Zayan got, and I plan to keep it that way. Him and I were done by the time I finally got out and decided to go to college, so the less she knows the better. She knows of him, but I never want her to look at me with pity.
I ease into it. “I might have found a way to save the restaurant.”
“That’s great! What is it?”
I sit up so I can look her in the eye. So I can see her surprise and disappointment head-on. “This guy, Marnix Taylor, was at Star of India today, and he wants to help save the restaurant.” I know this isn’t his full proposition, but I have to take it slow with her or she might flip her lid.
Her brows scrunch together, trying to figure out where she’s heard that name. Her mouth falls open when it finally comes to her. “Marnix Taylor, as in the Snakes’ lawyer? Does he want to buy it? You can’t let him; that’s not what you wanted at all.” Her words are rushed as she freaks out, thinking I’m giving up everything I love.
I knew he was a lawyer, but that part about the Snakes is new to me. I never would’ve guessed he’d take time to represent anyone from the West Side.
“Not exactly.” My voice cracks and I nervously rub my sweaty hands on my legging-covered thighs.
Lya’s face reddens, her fists clenching in her lap. “He’s loaning you the money? If you’d just take the money we’ve offered countless times, you wouldn’t even have to think about it. You’re so damn stubborn, Tara.”
They have offered and I’m so grateful they care about me enough to do that, but they’re my family too. Taking their money would feel like I’m using them, since I can’t give them anything in return. My conscience couldn’t take that.
“You know I can’t do that. I love you guys so much, but I don’t want to be indebted to you.”
Disgust and confusion etches across her face. “So you’re just going to be indebted to some stranger?” The hurt in her eyes tugs at my heart.
I gently place my hand on her thigh, trying to calm her. “No, it’s not just a loan. He’ll be getting something out of it too.”
“Oh yeah, and what's that?” I wince at the sarcasm lacing her voice.
Come on Tara, you’re a boss ass bitch. Just rip the bandaid off. Put on your big girl panties and just fucking tell her—stop being a baby.
I take a deep, reassuring breath before I continue. “He’ll save the restaurant from plummeting if... if I-I marry him,” I stutter, bracing for the impact.
“If you do what?! I must not have heard you right, because I know you didn’t just say you’re going to marry him.”
“I didn’t say I was going to marry him, I said if I marry him. It’s not a done deal yet, Lya. He’s given me a week to decide.”
Lya stands, pacing in front of me. Her fingers tap against her mouth in deep thought as she burns holes in the rubber mat. “You can’t be serious. You’re not actually considering this, are you?”
“I am, Lya. I know it’s crazy, but I have to save my family’s restaurant. I have a real opportunity to do that; I have to at least think about it.” Might be stupid as hell, but I am definitely thinking about it.
Lya huffs, putting her hands on her head as she continues to pace. “There are other ways than marrying a stranger, Tara. Wait... have you hit your head or something? Do you know where you are? What number comes after five? What’s your favorite sex position?”
Standing, I step in front of Lya to halt her. “Your gym. Six. Reverse cowgirl. Lya, I’m fine, but I am really considering this.”
“But he’s a stranger. And you don’t even do relationships, Tara!”
