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A smile cracks on my face at the ridiculousness of the idea. “Do you really believe that?”
“No, but it will reduce the chance of them eliminating us without further consideration.”
Good point.
Possibly.
“Okay, so what does this have to do with me and my subscription boxes?”
He glances at the mountains for a fraction of a second before returning his gaze to me. “You said that having a husband would benefit your business.”
When I was nine years old, Aiden and I went canoeing on Windermere Lake. At one point I thought I saw a large fish swimming just beneath the surface, its scales gleaming in the sun. I’d foolishly thought it was a mermaid. I leaned over the edge of the boat to get a better look…and caused it to tip over.
And damn, the water was cold.
The initial shock I felt when I landed in the water is nothing compared to now. At what Lucas is suggesting.
I stagger to my feet. The man has seriously lost his mind. “Sorry, not happening.”
9
Lucas
Laughter spills from inside Zara’s apartment through the closed balcony door. The amused sound is a contrast to Simone’s disbelieving expression.
Can’t say I blame her. What I’m asking of her is off the Richter scale when it comes to harebrained ideas. Besides, what happened between us occurred a long time ago, even though I still think about it. We aren’t the same people now as we were back then.
But that’s how desperate I am.
“Even if it means helping with your business?” I ask. “You said in Picnic and Treats that you’ve been too busy to date, which means you’re single.”
“So you think that’s a good enough reason for me to marry you? Because it might reduce the chance of the Wakefields writing off your bid? Have you thought that maybe there’s more to marriage than it being convenient for your goals?”
I’m guessing sex isn’t the answer she’s looking for here. Although from the way she’s glaring at me, I’m assuming that option would be off the table if she did agree to help me.
“You’re talking about love, right?”
She rolls her eyes, indignation flaring strong in them. “Of course I’m talking about love.” She turns away from me and rests her folded arms on the balcony railing. A slow breath escapes her, but it does nothing to ease the tension knotted in her shoulders. “How long are we talking about?”
“How long for what?”
“How long would we be married?”
I push myself up from the lounger and walk over to the railing to join her. “Till death do us part.”
Surprise widens her eyes. “You mean you expect us to stay married forever? This isn’t a temporary thing that ends once you and your brothers sign on the dotted lines, or the Wakefields sell the land to someone else?”
“My parents have been married for over thirty years. My grandparents were married for forty-five. Marriage is about a partnership with someone you respect and admire. It doesn’t have to be about love. So yes, if I’m getting married, I plan to endure it for the long haul.”
She makes a sound that’s a mix between a choked laugh and a snort. “You always did have a way with words, Lucas. You might want to avoid putting it that way to Tuuli and Robert.”
“My grandfather told me marriage is hard, and you have to work equally hard to make it work.”
“Did your grandfather also tell you to marry so you can buy the land you want?”
I chuckle. “I must admit that conversation never came up.” But neither had the possibility of me being framed.
I mirror her stance, folded arms on the wooden railing. “I don’t expect you to stay married to me if my lawyer’s unable to prove I’m innocent. Not when I could be facing a lifetime in jail. That wouldn’t be fair to you.”
