Chapter 14 #2
“Yeah,” I mumble. “I don’t know how I’m going to afford Pearl’s place anymore. She could live somewhere cheaper, sure, but I want her to have the best. She deserves that.”
Lauren exhales, contemplative. “And there are no guarantees with this business of yours, right?”
“Sadly, no. There are never guarantees.”
“Not entirely true.” She tilts her head, her voice calm, pragmatic. “We could get married.”
I sputter into my champagne, coughing hard enough to draw a glance from the couple beside us. Lauren pats my arm, amused.
“Didn’t think the idea would be that alarming,” she teases.
“No, it’s just…” I clear my throat, still stunned. “Very unexpected.”
She gives me a small, measured grin. “We can work out the details later. But it would ensure that you’re taken care of.
That Pearl is taken care of. And it would protect me, too.
My children haven’t spoken to me in years, and I’d rather not leave my estate at the mercy of long-lost relatives.
Think about it, Griffin. The money’s there.
The offer is on the table, if you need it. ”
Before I can respond, someone calls Lauren’s name from across the hall. She raises a finger, then adjusts her pearls with wry amusement. “Time to give a speech and say all the right things. Don’t go far. We’ll talk later.”
I watch her go, still reeling.
Marriage. To Lauren.
On paper, it’s everything I need. Funding for my business. Security for Pearl. A life of luxury in Lauren’s world—complete with high dollar real estate, vacations, and cars. Plus, I genuinely like Lauren. With her, it would be a good life.
A month ago, I would’ve called it the answer to my prayers. A clean way out of escorting. No more nameless women. No more nights I can’t look myself in the mirror.
Sure, it would mean giving up on some great love, but let’s be honest, I’d already given up on that. And kids? That was a dream I’d quietly let go of, too.
Until a month ago.
When a tiny brunette nurse walked into my life and made me realize the only life worth having is one with her.
But what if I’ve read it all wrong? What if Reese only sees me as a distraction, someone to flirt with, someone to cuddle with—only to laugh off the idea if I ever told her I wanted forever?
Deep down, I know the truth. I’m not the kind of man you build a life with. Not the kind you marry. Not with my past. Not with the shadows I carry.
And yet tonight, Lauren offered me exactly what I need.
I know what Lauren wants. I have no clue about my beautiful Reese.
But God help me, she’s the only one I want.
Lauren’s offer remains at the forefront of my brain for the rest of my trip. She doesn’t mention it again, but she takes my business proposal and promises to look it over when she’s not fussing over table seatings and arrangements.
Still, it gnaws at me. Lauren has never spoken of marriage before. And while I believe she means well, and that her offer would solve all my problems, it would create one I can’t live with. Because saying yes to her would mean giving up any chance with the woman I’m falling for.
It doesn’t matter if Lauren and I don’t share a bed—Reese would never accept a role as the other woman.
I’m left with a sense of foreboding, because it seems easier for Lauren to propose marriage than to hand over the kind of capital I need for my business.
Start-up costs, marketing, machinery, the cash to float me for six months while I build a name—we’re not talking thousands, we’re talking hundreds of thousands.
Don’t get me wrong. I care about Lauren deeply. But her proposal blindsided me.
When her driver pulls up to my cabin a few days later, Lauren presses a small envelope into my hand. “Thank you for putting up with all my obnoxious friends this weekend and for keeping me entertained. You make life bearable.”
“It’s always a pleasure,” I reply, and it is.
“Stop worrying so much.”
“Don’t know if that’s possible.”
“Now you sound like me.” She slides a few crisp bills from her wallet and holds them out. “Go have some fun. Get a drink at the bar. Do what young men do.”
“I don’t need that, Lauren.”
But she won’t be dissuaded, as she closes my hand over the money. “Take it. You’ve earned it.”
She steps out with me to grab my bags from the trunk. When she lifts one of the cases, she nods toward a hatbox tucked to the side.
“That one is yours too.”
I pull it free, lifting the lid to reveal a brand-new Stetson. Five hundred bucks worth of craftsmanship, the same one I’d lingered on in a shop window more than once.
“I saw you looking at it last time,” she says with a soft smile. “Consider it a gift.”
Her wallet barely felt the hit, but for me this hat would take months of squirreling away tips and overtime. The reminder sits heavy as I set it back in the box.
“You’ve got to stop buying me things. I feel bad I can’t get you anything.”
“You do plenty for me. Don’t worry.” Her gaze is kind, steady. “It’s just money, Griffin.”
“Easy words to say when you’ve got it.”
“We’ll figure something out.”
With that, Lauren smiles, giving a little wave as the car rolls away. I watch the headlights disappear into the dark until the gravel settles. Dean is behind the wheel, so I know she’ll be safe.
I carry the envelope and hatbox inside, strip off my tie, shrug out of the suit coat, and change into my everyday duds. Before I head back out, I settle the new Stetson onto my head.
Lauren is right—I could use a drink. But more than that, I need to find Reese. Four days without her has already felt like a lifetime. I’m not sure how many more I can take.