9
EVERLY
“ I HAVE TO GO. I’M pulling into the country club and can’t be late for my tee time. Do not disappoint me, Everly Rae,” Dad says sharply before ending the call, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.
I hold on to the bathroom counter for support as I inhale deeply through my nose and count to five before exhaling, fighting to keep the tears at bay.
Growing up, I was taught that crying is a sign of weakness. It’s ironic how my dad told me that, yet he’s the reason I’m feeling this way.
He’s always valued power and success over building relationships with his family. And when I agreed to work for him, my desire for financial security and independence outweighed his negative treatment.
Movement near the doorway has me spinning around to find Cash leaning against the wall, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, a scowl on his otherwise relaxed face.
“How long have you been standing there?” I ask with trepidation.
“Long enough to affirm my overwhelming disdain for your dad.” He strides across the bathroom and hops up on the countertop like we’re two pals having a casual conversation. “Why do you let him talk to you that way? You deserve better.”
“It’s complicated,” I reply vaguely, hoping he’ll drop it.
“Why don’t you uncomplicate it for me?” he suggests, using my response from yesterday.
How do I explain that my need for security and stability outweighs my father’s mistreatment when I don’t think he would understand? Cash may have the perfect family, but mine is far from it.
“How much has Theo told you?” I ask, curious about what my brother has shared with him.
“Not much,” Cash answers. “I know he doesn’t have contact with either of your parents and changes the subject if they’re brought up in a conversation.”
I lean against the vanity next to where he’s sitting, emotionally drained from my conversation with my dad.
Cash doesn’t rush me to speak, waiting patiently as I collect my thoughts. I tap my fingers against my thigh as my mind races.
“There’s no pressure to talk about it if you’d rather not. I’ll be here when you’re ready,” he says, offering comfort.
“No, you should know. Just please don’t judge me.” I inwardly cringe at how vulnerable I sound.
“Never,” he vows as he holds my gaze, studying my expression.
“My mom has always had unpredictable mood swings. Some days she was energetic, and others she could barely get out of bed. It didn’t help that my dad was indifferent. He spent most of his time at the office and traveling for work, not wanting to deal with his home life.”
Theo tried getting our mom help, but she refused, and he was angry at my dad for leaving. After graduation, he moved to New York, cutting off all contact with our parents. He thrived, especially after Cash dropped out of college and joined him in the city.
On the other hand, I was alone, attending college on the west coast. It was sink or swim, and I was determined to prove that I could succeed on my own, even though it was more challenging than I expected.
“I had no idea you and Theo were dealing with so much,” Cash admits. “I knew your parents had problems, but I didn’t realize how bad it was.”
I’m caught off guard when he winds his arm around my waist and pulls me into the space between his legs.
“No one did. Our parents’ broken marriage wasn’t exactly something we wanted to talk about with anyone. My dad definitely didn’t want it becoming town gossip.” It must be the intoxicating mix of his scent, sweat and raw masculinity, that has me leaning my head against Cash’s bare shoulder. “Mom blew through the money she got from her divorce settlement within a few years—designer clothes, expensive jewelry, spa days in the city. By the time I graduated from college, all her money was gone.”
Cash strokes my arm with his hand, soothing the turmoil within me.
“Shortly after, Dad reached out with a job opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. It paid enough—more than enough—to provide a comfortable life for myself and pay my mom’s bills. Despite our strained relationship, I couldn’t bring myself to abandon her. And I thought having a career would guarantee I’d never have to rely on anyone.” I let out a humorless chuckle. “Which is ironic since my dad holds all the control now.”
I leave out the part that, no matter how illogical it sounds, I cling to this twisted hope that someday, my dad will finally see my value and treat me the way I deserve. The chance of that happening is slim, but I’m not ready to give up a career that has made it possible to create a life that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
“Damn, Ev, I’m sorry,” Cash murmurs sadly, his lips brushing against my ear as he speaks.
His familiar presence makes it difficult to keep my emotional barriers intact, and I worry that if I’m not careful, I could end up hurt again.
“No one knows the full truth.” I pull away from his comforting embrace and meet his gaze. “I’ve shared some things with Theo and my step-brothers, but I don’t want to get them involved. It’s my burden to bear.”
Theo has made a name for himself in the restaurant industry. He owns several restaurants, co-hosts multiple cooking shows, and teaches at a prestigious culinary school in the heart of London. The last thing he needs is for the media to catch wind of his family drama, and getting him involved in my issues would do just that. And he would be disappointed in me if he found out I was giving our mom money.
“He wouldn’t see it that way. You’re the most important thing in his life.”
“If that’s the case, you’re in so much trouble when he finds out you married me,” I taunt, lightening the mood. “You might want to keep those running shoes close by when you tell him.” I nod to his feet.
“Gee, thanks for that.” Cash chuckles as he runs his hands through his hair.
“My pleasure,” I tease.
Maybe I shouldn’t make light of it. There’s no chance Theo will let Cash off the hook when he finds out what’s happened. I’m not looking forward to that conversation.
“Have breakfast with me at Brew Haven?” Cash asks, his eyes pleading. “Like you said last night, we have a lot to talk about. We’re meeting the pilot at the airfield in two hours, so we have plenty of time.”
“Won’t your mom be offended if we don’t eat here?” When we were kids, she would make a big breakfast on the weekends, which is one reason Theo and I liked to sleep over.
“Nah, she’ll be fine with it,” Cash insists, then hesitates, second-guessing himself. “But she’s still in bed, so if we leave soon, we won’t have to risk it. I just need to take a quick shower, and then we can go.”
My face heats at the idea of him standing naked under the cascade of water. His handsome face and well-defined chest leads me to believe the rest of his body is equally as impressive.
I blink rapidly, banishing the thought. “I could go for coffee and French toast.”
“That’s my girl,” Cash praises, kissing my forehead before getting off the counter.
My stomach flutters at him calling me his girl, but I push the feeling aside, desperately trying to fortify the walls around my heart, and yet somehow, he’s managed to knock down another brick.
“Why is everyone staring?” I whisper as we wait for our breakfast to arrive.
The aroma of ground coffee and fresh-baked pastries fills the air of Brew Haven. The coffee shop hosts a weekly Sunday brunch, so the place is buzzing with activity and packed with patrons eager for their caffeine fix and a hearty meal.
We’re seated in a booth toward the back, but that doesn’t deter the other patrons from craning their necks to get a better look at us.
“They have nothing better to do. Have you forgotten that’s how it is in a small town?” He gives me a sly smirk. “How long has it been since you’ve been back?”
“Christmas break my freshman year of college,” I admit hesitantly.
“That was the year my family went to Paris for Christmas,” he says.
“Yeah.” I lower my gaze as I fidget with my napkin. “Your mom told Theo to invite me, but I declined because I didn’t want my mom alone for the holidays. When I got to her place, she was packing for a trip to Cabo. Apparently, she met an accountant online who paid for them to go to an exclusive resort.”
“What did you do after she left?”
“I went back to school in California.”
I don’t tell him that all my friends had gone to visit their families, so I spent Christmas alone in my dorm. It was also the first time Theo and I spent a holiday apart, which made it even harder. But knowing that he was celebrating with the Staffords brought me peace of mind.
“Where is your mom now?” Cash asks.
“Out of town,” I say, keeping my answer vague.
She called last week to tell me she found her soulmate in Bali and he’s taking her on a spiritual retreat. If I had a dollar for every time she’s claimed she’s found the one , I’d be a millionaire.
My mom’s unhealthy relationships with men is one of the reasons I stopped believing in true love. She tarnished my belief in soulmates by claiming every man she’s been with is hers. Combined with my personal experience, I’ve concluded that love either festers, fades, or ends in a bitter divorce, leaving both parties broken beyond repair.
This is why Cash and I have to resolve our current dilemma before we become like my parents. I shudder at the thought.
I’m about to tell him how I think we should move forward when our server, Kelsey, arrives with our food order.
“Here you are.” My mouth waters as she sets a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of French toast, topped with banana and extra whipped cream, in front of me.
She hands Cash his protein breakfast bowl filled with scrambled eggs, sausage, slow-roasted tomatoes, spinach, and scallions. From what I’ve noticed, he’s very selective about what he eats and leans toward healthier choices. Spinach and kale are fine, but I’ll never sacrifice my French toast and whipped cream.
“Thanks, Kelsey. This looks incredible,” Cash says as she sets his side of artisan sourdough toast on the table.
I suddenly lose my appetite when she shoots him a flirtatious smile and unashamedly checks him out.
“Yes, thank you so much. My husband and I can’t wait to dig in,” I say, reaching for my fork.
Kelsey’s smile drops when she notices my ring. “Oh, of course. I’ll let you get to it,” she says before she hurries off to the front of the shop.
Satisfied, I cut into my meal.“This French toast looks even better than I remember.”
When I glance at Cash, he hasn’t touched his food. Instead, he’s staring at me like I’ve grown an extra head.
“Is there something wrong with your order?” I say as I take a big bite, savoring the crispy edges and soft center.
“Nope,” he says smugly. “I was just wondering if you’re going to get jealous of every woman who serves us when we go out. If that’s the case, we should consider sticking with takeout.” He flashes me a cheeky grin.
“What’s wrong with what I said?” I ask, my tone defensive. “She was practically drooling all over you, even though I was right here. It doesn’t help that you flirt back.” I shake my head in mock disappointment.
“Trust me, you’ll know when I’m flirting,” he says with a wink.
I sip my coffee, hiding my smile behind the cup. I’m not ready to admit that our friendly banter is growing on me.
“How would you like it if we had a male server and I was just being nice by placing my hand on his arm and telling him how big and strong he was?” I reach across the booth and place my hand on his upper arm, unable to resist needling him.
“I’d tell him to step away from my wife,” he growls playfully. “Like you did when you called me your husband.”
“You’re a smartass,” I quip, holding up my left hand and flashing the massive ring on my finger. “You’ve reminded me nonstop since I woke up with this thing, so I figure why not use it to my advantage?” I plop a piece of banana in my mouth.
He leans across the table, his voice low enough so only I can hear him. “Ev, let me make something clear,” he says earnestly. “I may joke around a lot, but I mean it when I say that I’ll support whatever you decide. If you want to take that ring off right now, say the word, and I’ll call my lawyer to draw up the annulment paperwork. Our short-lived marriage will be nothing but a distant memory when we land in London.”
He pauses, giving me a chance to process what he said. “But, if that’s what you want,” he says, his infectious, cheerful energy back in full force, “you’ll have to tolerate me for a few more hours since we’re flying back together.”
“What about my dad?” I voice my biggest concern. “He means it when he says he’ll fire me. And what about Harrison and Dylan? The deal could fall apart if we break things off,” I remind him.
“I don’t give a damn about Richard,” he growls. “Your happiness comes first, and I’d gladly step down as Chief Operations Officer at Stafford Holdings if it would appease the board. Hell, I could live in the jet for a while. Now, that would be an adventure.” He gives my hand a squeeze before leaning back in his seat.
I stare at him in stunned silence as he takes a drink of water. He has a gift for making everything seem so simple. No matter how bad things get, he always has a smile on his face and finds the silver lining. It’s a sharp contrast to my bleak outlook.
Would it be so bad to stay married to him for a brief period? The acquisition is underway and should be complete within a few months, most likely sooner. I take another bite of my French toast and consider the pros and cons.
Pros—Cash Stafford is easy on the eyes. Just because I have no plans to sleep with him doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate him from a distance. There will never be a dull moment with him around, and I won’t lose my job.
Cons—That damn kiss in his parents’ backyard still lingers in the back of my mind. If I’m subjected to his hotness for too long, there’s no telling what I’ll do… but is that really a con?
“You’re staring,” Cash taunts.
“I’m thinking.”
“A little too hard, it seems.” He nods to my furrowed brow.
“We should stay married,” I announce.
“You think so?” His fork pauses on the way to his mouth.
“Yes. Logically, it makes the most sense. There’s no reason either of us should lose our jobs. We can go about our lives as normal, and nothing has to change,” I state confidently.
I mentally pat myself on the back as I cut another piece of my breakfast.
“So… you’re moving in with me,” Cash says, disregarding my statement entirely.
My fork slips from my hand and clatters on the table, drawing attention in the coffee shop. “What did you say? I think I heard you wrong. There’s no way you just suggested that we move in together.”
I’ve lived alone since I graduated from college. The closest I came to moving in with someone was when Landon and I were a couple. He slept over at my place a lot but wanted to wait until after the wedding to live together, which, in hindsight, should have been a major red flag.
“You heard me correctly. Newlyweds live together, and for all intents and purposes, that’s what we are.” He flashes his wedding band at me.
“Okay, you can move into my place,” I say, but regret the words as soon as they pass my lips.
My apartment is my safe haven—the one place I feel at ease and can let my guard down. I’m not sure I want to share my personal space with a stranger. Technically, Cash isn’t a stranger, but he might as well be.
He shakes his head. “Your apartment is a forty-minute drive from the city. Mine is only fifteen minutes from both our offices, albeit in opposite directions,” he declares with a self-satisfied grin.
I narrow my eyes at him. “How do you know where I live?”
“Theo told me when he helped you move into your new place last year. I was supposed to help, but Harrison needed me in Maine that weekend.”
I wonder if we’d still be in this predicament if we had crossed paths sooner.
“Fine, I’ll stay at your place, but I’m keeping my apartment so I have a place to go when this is over.” I point at him with my napkin in hand. “Oh, and I get my own room.”
It’s important I lay the rules down early to establish boundaries.
“Okay,” he replies before taking a bite of his eggs.
That was easy … too easy.
I watch him polish off the last of his breakfast, mesmerized by the way his lips close around the fork.
“You’re not going to argue with me?”
“Nope,” he says.
“As long as we’re living together, I would prefer you didn’t bring other women over.”
Cash lets out a low growl. “I’m only going to say this once, Ev. As long as we’re married, there won’t be anyone else. For either of us.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I mean it. Regardless of how we feel about this marriage, we made vows, and I’m committed to mine,” he states with conviction.
His sentiment sends butterflies through my stomach, but I have to remember they’re empty words wrapped in a pretty package. This arrangement is just a means to an end for both of us.
“Are you sure, Stafford? There’s no telling how long this acquisition will take to finalize.” I lean in and whisper, “Can you go months without sex?”
He raises a brow as he takes a drink of water. “Can you?”
“That’s what my toys are for.” I give him a satisfied smirk. “They’ve gotten me through the last two years. A few more months will be a piece of cake.”
His eyes widen in surprise, and he chokes on his water, sputtering as he sets his glass on the table.
After pausing to collect himself his hazel gaze holds mine hostage as he says in a low voice, “You wouldn’t need toys if you were with the right man.”
Is it getting hot in here?
My pulse races as I lift my napkin from my lap and wipe my mouth, trying to appear unaffected by his statement. “Thanks for the unsolicited advice.”
“Anytime.” Thankfully, he breaks our eye contact when Kelsey drops the check off at the table. “We should get going if we want to make it back to London tonight.”
“Wait.” I reach to grab his arm. “Under no circumstance can we tell Theo that our marriage isn’t real. He would lose his shit.”
Cash’s eyes widen at my request. “Ev, you can’t be serious. He’s my best friend and we run in the same social circle. He’s going to find out one way or another.”
“I didn’t say to keep it from him that we’re married, just not that we’re staying married because of the acquisition.” I give him a pleading look.
My brother has always been my fierce protector, and I never want to disappoint him.
Admitting that I made a reckless decision to get married in Vegas is one thing. But it’ll be worse if Theo knows how bad things have gotten with Dad. If he finds out that Dad demanded I stay married because of a business deal, he’ll feel compelled to intervene, even though it’s not his responsibility to fix my problems.
Cash lets out a heavy sigh. “Let me get this straight. You’re suggesting that we not tell Theo that Stafford Holdings is buying out your father’s business. Which means when we break the news to him, he’ll think our feelings for each other are real and that we got married in Vegas on a whim because we want to be together?”
I nod. “Exactly. The same as what we told Presley and your parents. The only people who will know the truth are Harrison and Dylan.”
“What about your step-brothers? I think you have to tell them. They have a right to know about the acquisition and how it’ll affect them.”
I rub my temples, warding off an impending headache. Our situation is getting more complicated by the minute.
“At this rate, we’re going to need a chart to keep this all straight,” I say with a hint of amusement. “Are you sure you just don’t want to get an annulment? It seems like the easier option.”
Cash chuckles. “Where’s the fun in that?” He reaches across the table, taking my hands in his. “I’m all in if you are.”
“Yeah, Stafford, I’m in.”
My heart hammers in my chest as his eyes hold mine. I’m entranced as he traces circles on my palms with his thumbs, sending an electric current spark through my veins. His touch is quickly becoming addictive, and I almost let out a sigh of disappointment when he lets go.
He stands and tosses a hundred-dollar bill on the table as a tip. “We should head out. We’re supposed to meet the pilot in a half hour, and my mom will never forgive me if we don’t say goodbye first.
Once he has paid the bill at the cash register near the front, he holds the glass door open for me, and we exit the coffee shop. I almost run into him when he suddenly stops by the newspaper dispenser.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
He takes out a copy of the Aspen Grove Gazette , holding it up for me to see. On the front page are photos of us from high school, accompanied by a wedding announcement congratulating us on our marriage.
The curious glances from the other patrons in Brew Haven make more sense now.
“How did the newspaper get wind of this? Only your family knows about our marriage.”
Cash chuckles.“That explains why my mom slept in this morning. She was probably up half the night sharing the news with all her friends.”
Sounds like something Johanna would do. She tends to overshare when she’s excited about something. Another pang of guilt strikes me as I consider how she’ll react to the truth that none of this is real.
“You’re lucky Theo doesn’t still live here, or you’d be in serious trouble,” I taunt.
“That’s not funny,” Cash mutters.
“It really is.” I laugh as I walk away.
The past twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind, and I can’t help but question how difficult things will be once Cash and I are thrown back into reality as roommates posing as newlyweds.