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“That’s right. Youdidn’tthink. Fuck,” he curses, pinching his large nose between his finger and thumb. “We’ll talk more about your dumb decisions later. Right now, we need to focus on solving this problem.”
I resist the sudden urge to reach across the space between us and lay my hand on her thigh to stop her leg from anxiously tapping. Instead, I keep my hands folded in my lap to keep myself in line.
There are so many places I’d rather be than sitting in the office of the CEO of Bishop Hotels. If it was anyone but my father who asked me to be here, I would’ve told them to fuck off. I wouldn’t care what kind of help the Bishop family needed, they wouldn’t get it from me.
But the intense need to make my father proud of me runs deep. It’s in my blood, wanting to not disappoint him, wanting him to trust me enough to appoint me the CEO of the Moore hotel dynasty one day. And to get that, Ihadto come here today. I have to do whatever my dad and Spencer are asking of me, but it doesn’t mean I have to be eager to do it.
Spencer must’ve said something while I rattled off the reasons in my head that keep me seated instead of rushing out of the office and forgetting all about what I’m supposed to do. Both Winnie and Spencer stare at me expectantly, clearly waiting for me to respond to whatever was said.
“Repeat that,” I demand, trying to make it seem like I wasn’t paying any attention.
Spencer refuses to look at his daughter, instead keeping his angry, beady eyes on me. “Would you like to tell her what the plan is?”
My fingers drum against my thigh.Not really. I’d rather not go through with the plan at all. The only reason Iagreed to it is because Moore Hotels is getting a large stake in Bishop Hotels, one that will put me on the board as a decision-maker.
It’ll shock the industry that a truce has been made, and it’ll give my family even more power in the market. My father expected me to do this, so that’s what I’m doing.
“Tell me what?” Winnie asks. Her voice is so soft the question comes out barely more than a whisper.
I let out a long, controlled sigh as I try to ease the tension in my shoulders. No one told me I was the one who had to break the news to her about our arrangement.
I expected to show up and meet with Spencer alone. We’d go back and forth until I felt like my family was getting the best deal possible. She wouldn’t have even been involved until the agreement was done, the ink dry on the contracts. Instead, I get the fun luxury of undoubtedly ruining her life by telling her what her father expects of her.
I know very well how heavy the expectations of a father can sit on one’s shoulders. If I cared more about anything, I might feel bad for feeding into what her father is forcing her to do. But I shouldn’t care—so I don’t.
There’s a silence between the three of us as I try to think of how best to break it to the woman sitting next to me that she’s about to bind her life to me. Sighing, I realize there’s no gentle way to say it. I try not to think too hard into why I want to give her the news gently to begin with.
“We’re getting married,” I announce, my words slow so she can’t misunderstand them.
CHAPTER 4
WINNIE
I’ve always been a naturallyquiet person. I’d much rather listen to people’s conversations than heavily engage in them. But no matter how quiet I typically am, I’m not usually so stunned I’m speechless.
Except right now.
I blink a few times, trying to figure out if all of this is some sort of nightmare. Maybe I’m still lying in bed dreaming, with Blake lying next to me. Not even realizing I’m doing it, I slide my hand to the side of my leg and pinch my thigh.
No. I’mdefinitelyawake because that hurt.
I swallow slowly, trying to work out what’s going on. My dad and Archer both stare at me expectantly, just waiting for whatever I have to say.
My mouth feels dry from nerves as I open it to speak. “What? I’m not getting married to anyone.”
Archer has the nerve to smirk. He actually smirks. A smirk shouldn’t be so cold and calculating, but his is. It sends shivers down my spine.
I pinch myself one more time to double-check if this is real.
“You won’t be getting married to justanyone. You’ll be marryingme. Tomorrow.” He says the words so matter-of-factly, like it’s common knowledge that we’re supposed toexchange vows.
A choking sound comes from my throat, one that earns me a dissatisfied scowl from my dad. “Tomorrow?” I manage to get out, even though my throat feels like it’s clogged and I’m beginning to feel dizzy.
What is even happening?My familyhatesthe Moores. There’s no way my father would let me marry Archer. He’s been wanting me to marry strategically from the moment I started dating. This can’t possibly be the match with his stamp of approval.
I wait for a few moments for one of them to elaborate on their own, but they don’t. Instead, I suck in a deep, shaky breath, attempting to get myself together. My vision blurs, and my face feels hot, and all I can do is hope neither one of them catches on to the fact I feel like I might pass out. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. I thought I was here to talk about Blake. What does me marrying Archer have to do with Blake?”
Archer’s fingers twitch in his lap the moment I say his name. From the corner of my eye, I see his broad shoulders rise and fall with an annoyed sigh. “I was expecting you to tell her about the arrangement before I showed up,” he rants. The look he gives my father across the desk is scathing.
