AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh. Hmm… because he’s an entrepreneur?”
Jeremy chuckled. “You’re not buying that huh?”
I laughed myself, feeling more relaxed with the personal turn our conversation had taken. “I mean… I don’t deny he has businesses, but I think he’s a drug dealer.”
“It’s not my place to confirm or deny that. I’ll just say look out for your sister and trust your gut. Not too many niggas have the nickname Grim and they not be in the streets.”
“Wait.” Clutching his arm, I turned slightly in my seat. “Grim is Tim?”
“Y’all didn’t know that?”
With a sigh, I shook my head. “No. He doesn’t come around for me to question him like I usually question the men she dates.”
“But you’re familiar with him as Grim?”
“Not personally. That name has come up several times over the years in discoveries and depositions, but we’ve never had a real name or even description to tie to it because people are always too afraid. And you’re telling methisis the man my sister is so smitten over?”
“I’m telling you, I only know one man with that nickname. I could be wrong, but like I said, look out and trust your gut. And I’m always just a call away if you or your sister need me.”
I thanked him for the heads up and our conversation continued to flow as we waited for our food. When we were done, he wasted no time getting down to the reason for our lunch. Jeremy turned slightly in his seat to better face me, allowing me to get an even deeper whiff of his cologne.
He took a deep breath before saying, “I want you to marry me.”
I looked around, sure I was on some kind of prank show. Before I could stop it, a hard laugh escaped me. So hard my stomach hurt, and my eyes leaked.
“You’re joking, right?”
“No, I’m very serious.”
Wiping the corners of my eyes, I stared into his. There wasn’t a hint of amusement there, forcing me to mirror his expression.
“Jeremy…”
“You walking into the country club was fate. I needed a fake girlfriend, a fake wife, and I want you to be that.”
“Why are you lying to your parents about your relationship status, Jeremy?”
Sighing, he ran his hand over his fade. “My mother wants me married before I become managing partner of my dad’s firm.”
“You want to leave HGP2?” I asked in a low tone.
His head shook. “I don’twantto, but I feel like I don’t have much of a choice. The advancement that was promised to me hasn’t come yet, and I don’t know if I want to wait around for it. The position at my dad’s firm is guaranteed… with the stipulation that I have a wife.”
Sighing, I shook my head as I sat back in my seat. “Jeremy…”
“I’ll make you named partner. And in three to five years, you’ll be senior managing partner if you want. Now I won’t lead you on like Violet has done me and others and say you can be co-managing partner because that position has already been promised to Flex, but on the off chance I decide to step down or am forced to for any reason, you’ll be my replacement. Same goes for him.”
I couldn’t even allow myself to consider his offer. I wanted to be named partner but not like this. Not by lying about something as sacred as marriage. Just thinking about marrying another man was triggering. My head shook as I stood.
“I’m sorry, Jeremy, but I can’t. Violet promised me she’d make me the next named partner so that offer doesn’t appeal to me enough for me to disrespect the sanctity of marriage by entering into it under false pretenses.” Covering his hand with mine, I told him, “Thank you for lunch, and I hope you find someone who can help you with this.”
I walked away, stopping when he said, “I only want you.”
My eyes closed and I licked the corner of my mouth before swallowing hard. Instead of responding, I continued out of the restaurant.
Five
Jeremy
