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“I could help with publicizing your business,” he says. “I could do some killer brochures, give you a great online presence with a website people can book directly on rather than having to call in. The pictures that I would take alone will spotlight this inn as the best place to stay in Alaska, I promise you that.”
“Noah, I appreciate the offer, but we’ve been over this—”
He’s quick to cut me off. “I need a favor in return. I’d be doing you a favor in exchange for one of my own.”
“Things don’t work like that here. What do you need?”
He chuckles. “So, it’s okay for you to do me a favor, but you won’t let me do one for you?”
I’m silent for a moment. I never thought about it like that. How I’m so quick to help others but will never accept help myself. “Yeah, pretty much.” I cringe.
He smirks, shaking his head. “Not with me. I do that for you, and you do me the favor of…”
I have not one clue what he could be about to ask me. “What do you need?”
“A wife.”
My gaze scours his face for some sort of humor. Any minute he’s going to laugh and say he’s joking, he just needs me to hold some of his things here in storage or something.
Finally, when he continues staring at me, waiting to say something, my eyes widen, and my mouth drops open. “A wife?”
He grabs my hands and holds them together in his. “It’s crazy, I know, but my grandma and my mom had one thing in common tonight and that was being overly invested in my love life, or lack thereof, and wanting to know why I hadn’t settled down yet. And they were so close, smiling at one another, and I thought if I got married, it would only make them closer. I just sort of blurted it out.”
“And when we call off the engagement, then what happens? Or are you thinking we’ll actually get married?” I can’t believe I’m asking questions as if I’d actually agree to this farce.
“I think we’ll have to get married—but only for a year or something. I’ll be working still so I’ll be gone probably nine months of the year and then we’ll divorce with both of us saying it’s too hard with my traveling. You could be the one to file for separation, of course.”
“Boy, you’ve thought of everything.”
“On the way over, I tried to get the logistics down, so I’d have some answers for you.”
I nod, slowly wrapping my head around the information. “Why me?”
“Honestly, you were the first name that came to my mind.”
“What an endorsement for love.” I press my lips together.
He chuckles. “I don’t mean it like that. We’ve developed a great friendship over these past few years, and I think this could be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Also, if you want any help renovating, I’m your guy.”
“So you’re gonna stick around town until we plan a wedding, or am I to do it all by myself while you’re working?”
He quickly shakes his head as though he’s afraid I’m going to say no. “No, I usually take commissioned jobs during the summer months, so I’m available as long as we make this quick. I figure since I already told my family—”
“You already told your family?” I screech, then quiet my voice. “I haven’t even agreed.”
“I told you, I just blurted it out.”
“Oh yeah, my name was the first one in your head, so I get the pleasure of becoming your blushing bride, I forgot. And if I say no, do you have a second pick?” I have no idea why I’m being this snarky. Noah is a good guy, but this is a crazy idea.
He sighs. “It’s not like that. Please just think about it.”
“How soon are you thinking this wedding has to happen?”
He cringes. “In two months?”
“Seriously? You want me to put together a believable wedding in two months?”
“I’ll be here to help.”
