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“Still though… that doesn’t explain going as far as to marry me.” My mouth goes dry at those last two words. It’s really starting to sink in.
“I have debts,” Jude says. “Student loans. Car payments. And… I need the insurance. If we’re married, I can get the care I need.”
I don’t ask her what kind of care she needs. That would feel unnecessarily cruel after I’ve pressed her into a confession. “You know Caroline would help you with –”
“For fuck’s sake, Chase, do you want my help or not?”
The edge in Jude’s voice is as sharp and blunt as a steel razor against my neck. I’ve never known her to be firm or threatening. In a different life, she could have been a businesswoman like the best of them. Just like Gram, knocking even the most swarthy businesspeople down with just a steely glare.
And Gram… I could live without the inheritance. I could make do. To most of America, my version of “making do” is being amongst the privileged upper class.
But I can’t disappoint her.
If she wants me to be married by my fortieth birthday, so be it.
“Okay. Yes. Let’s… let’s help each other.”
Jude’s expression melts into a smile.
“I’m afraid we both must be certifiable for doing this. And, we’ll definitely need a contract,” I say.
“Spoken like a true lawyer.”
I ignore the comment and start out of the kitchen. “My office. Now.”
“Yes, sir.”
I don’t like the shiver that sends down my spine. I will ignore it. Must be a chill in the air, or the electric feeling that my life is about to change completely if I’m not careful.
“Okay, minimum two, maximum five years,” I read. The tiny print on the contract is starting to hurt my eyes. “This will include a wedding, any family obligations, and…” I look up at Jude before reading the last bit.
Jude looks tired. And I don’t blame her. We’ve been at this nearly all night, filling in all the legalese. For someone who doesn’t know much about creating contracts, Jude sure asks a lot of good questions and has caught many loopholes I’m not sure even my paralegals would have seen.
Her eyes flutter shut and she sighs. “Just say it.”
“…conception of one child through the use of IVF.”
Look, it’s not ideal. It’s certainly not romantic. It’s business.
“In exchange for the use of Party B’s time, legal marriage status, and –” I stop again and clear my throat.
“Chase…”
“Sorry, I just don’t know if the word ‘womb’ should be in a legal document like this.”
“You sound like a boy who never had sex ed.”
I laugh dryly. “I went to a Baptist private school, of course I never took sex ed.”
“Well, if you never took sex ed, who is to say you don’t already have a child out there to appease Gram’s wishes for you.”
“I assure you that’s not a possibility.” I have never had sex without a condom. Too much risk involved, especially coming from a family like mine. You never know if someone is just using you for your money. And I wouldn’t put it past some women to go the route of entrapment in order to ensure financial security.
Hell, Jude is marrying me for her own security. That’s halfway there.
“Besides, a child out of wedlock would be the absolute opposite of that.”
“Is that really so bad?” Jude asks.
