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Nora
I sucked in a breath,falling onto my back foot and hitting the oak door behind me. “What?”
“Marry me,” Andy repeated the words with the same level of calm and confidence he used to offer me a job less than a minute before.
I shook my head. “That’s crazy.”
“You’re right, it’s crazy.” He gestured to the chair, sitting back down. “Hear me out.”
I stepped away from the door, sitting on the edge of the uncomfortable wooden chair. Andy raked a hand through his blonde hair and gave me a lopsided smile that would have made my stomach flip, even without the spontaneous marriage proposal.
He leaned forward; the faint scent of orange and cedar lapped over me. I almost leaned closer. Almost. “We can help each other. You have a problem.”
“Multiple problems,” I corrected him.
“Right.” He grinned. “You need a job and a surgery and maybe a place to crash?”
I winced. The no-nonsense assessment of my current predicament churned my stomach. “Yeah.”
“Well, I have problems, too.”
I laughed—a loud, unladylike snort that startled us both. “I’m sorry. That was rude. I just… it’s not like you’re in danger of being evicted, Andy.”
He chuckled, the edge of his lips tilting up. “No. Not that. But I am swamped. I’ve been traveling nonstop for the past six months, going to business meetings and social occasions. And, no offense to the Chamber of Commerce, but I’m not talking about locals who own a single motel. I’m talking about entrepreneurs who own private jets and multi-million dollar businesses.”
“It sounds like you need a personal assistant.”
“Maybe, but do you know what goes on when everyone else brings a spouse to these things?” He dipped his head low, leaning closer, as if sharing a secret.
I shook my head. Other than Gary lugging me to Pierce for Chamber of Commerce meetings, I’d never had a job that required business travel.
“I either spend the entire night getting hit on, or I get roped into late-night visits to strip clubs and bars, where I get to find out firsthand how sleazy some guys are.”
Reflexively, I wrinkled my nose.
“Exactly. Besides, you are amazing at small talk. I’ve watched you for years, charming the business owners at these meetings. You’re great at listening and making people feel included. I suck at that. I’m good with the people I know, but spouses? New investors? I struggle.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” I said. My hand shot out, patting his knee comfortingly, only to pull it back just as fast. Why was I trying to comfort Andy? Why was I even considering his insane plan?
“It is. We could help each other, Nora. Just think about it. I’ll put you on my insurance so you can get your surgery. My house is enormous. You could have any three bedrooms, and you only need to tag along for a few trips and sit in on some dinners.”
He didn’t struggle to connect with other people. Not by a long shot. Andy had an uncanny ability to make me feel like the center of the planet. While I didn’t know why he would lie about needing my help, I certainly couldn’t accept his proposal.
“I have plans, Andy. I want to go back to school.”
“Perfect. We’ll get you signed up for classes.” His lopsided grin transformed into a full-fledged smile that I fought not to return.
I shouldn’t even be having this conversation, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking more questions.
“Marriage is a lifetime commitment. We can’t just get married because it’s convenient.”
“Of course, we can,” he scoffed. “People do it all the time. Four years. That’ll get you through school and whatever happens with my expansion will be underway, or not.”
Four years. I bit my lip and shook my head. “You can’t do that. What if you meet someone? What if you fall in love?”
“I haven’t met anyone while I’ve built this business, and I definitely won’t have time once it expands.”
“What if I meet someone?” I asked, confused by the flinch on Andy’s face that he quickly covered .
