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“Sure. Can I get you a drink?”
She nods. “Okay. Vodka with a little cranberry juice, please.”
I smile. “I know.”
I make her the drink and hand it to her. “Thank you.”
I motion for her to sit. She sits in a chair opposite me.
She takes a deep breath. “Listen, Carter. I know we have a few weeks left of our deal, and I acknowledge that things are going well, and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but tonight is going to be the last night of our fake relationship for me. I’m not comfortable lying to people anymore, especially the people who I love. I’ve always considered myself an honest person. What you see is what you get with me.” I know that’s how she is. It’s one of the things I like the most about her.
“I really do want to save my company, but it’s not worth my integrity. My father wouldn’t have wanted me to go about it this way. I’m not honoring his memory by whoring myself out like this. I need it to end.”
“You’re not whoring yourself out. We haven’t touched one another in the slightest.”
I see tears forming in her eyes. I want to go to her but know I can’t. “Maybe not physically, but that’s exactly what I’m doing in other ways. I just can’t do it anymore. If you need to pursue my company to get what you want from your father, then so be it. I’ll see you on the battlefield.”
I take a moment. “I understand. This whole situation doesn’t sit well with me either. I’m not a monster, Reagan.”
“I know you’re not, Carter. I don’t think that at all. This is about me and the type of woman I want to be. I want to do things the right way. Lying and taking shortcuts isn’t something I’m willing to do anymore. I’ve been pretty successful playing things straight. I’m going to continue down that path.”
She’s a better person than I am. I don’t deserve to have her in my life.
“I won’t be pursuing your company.” I can’t do it to her. I care too much about her. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. If it delays things with my father, so be it. “I’ll do everything I can to stop my father. You have my word that I’ll try. As you know, he’s psychotic and consults me on very few decisions, but I promise to do my best to protect you.”
She nods. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
We both finish our drinks. I stand and offer her my hand. “One last trip to the zoo?”
She smiles as she takes my hand and nods. “One last trip to the zoo. Let’s go hang with all the crazy monkeys.”
We enter the ballroom arm in arm. All eyes immediately come to my gorgeous fake fiancée. She turns heads in every room she enters, no matter the size. She’s larger than life, and everyone wants a piece of her.
We mingle for the first hour. She has a gift for working a room. She’s a magnet for both men and women. She’s smart, funny, witty, and just the exact kind of person you want to be around. The exact kind of woman I want on my arm and everywhere else.
I can’t help but stare at her as she does her thing. I certainly can’t deny it anymore. I’ve fallen for her. I haven’t so much as kissed her, and I’m completely enamored with Reagan Lawrence.
I see my mother staring at us from across the room. She adores Reagan. She’s going to be heartbroken when this comes to an end tomorrow.
Reagan’s family walks in. They immediately come to greet us with open arms of congratulations. I’ll miss them too. They’re the family I always wished I had.
I shake Jackson’s hand. He pulls me in for a hug. He’s a good man. Whatever beef my father may have with him, I’m certain the fault lies with my father. Jackson would never do anything underhanded. He is the exact type of man and father I hope to be one day.
Darian gives me a big hug, kisses my cheek, and smiles. “My future son-in-law looks very handsome tonight.”
I smile back. “Thanks, Darian. You look gorgeous as always.”
Cassandra shoots daggers at me. I hold my hands up in surrender as I kiss her cheek. “I come in peace, Cassandra.”
She gives me a fake smile as she whispers, “You may end up going in pieces, Carter.”
I can’t help but laugh. It’s impressive how much these women all love one another. They would do anything for each other.
Reagan and I do our best to fake our way through the congratulations from her sisters and brothers. It’s not easy for Reagan. I see her struggling. I want to make this right. I want her to stop hurting.
The music begins and couples move to the dance floor. I hold my hand out for Reagan. “Would you like to dance?”
She looks around and notices my father staring at us. “Sure. I suppose we should.” I wish she actually wanted to dance with me.
