Chapter 22
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Hunter
The week after returning from our honeymoon, the immigration services asked me to come in for an interview for my green card. I was relieved they hadn’t asked Josie to come in too. Still, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was nervous as hell when the case worker asked me to come to her office.
“Mr. Caldwell, we’ve received your green card application, and I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
“Sure.”
“You’ve lived in the United States since you were four years old. Why haven’t you applied for a green card before?”
“Honestly, I didn’t have time and didn’t think it was too important. My parents were British citizens, and they’d never had issues with their visa.”
She looked down at my file, drawing check marks.
“But yours wasn’t renewed.”
“Hence why I decided to go directly for the green card.”
“And you got married in the meantime.”
I stood still, watching her carefully. “I did.”
“Thought you’d kill two birds with one stone, eh?”
“Josie and I have been friends for a long time.” I was still calm, but I wouldn’t be able to keep so for too long.
“A large percentage of sham marriages happen between friends. People rarely trust strangers with something like this.”
I could feel myself losing my composure. I had to force myself to keep my voice even.
“This is not a sham marriage.”
“That’s for us to determine. You have a good track record—a successful business, charity work. But we still have to investigate.”
“Any other questions?”
“No.”
That unsettled me for some reason. Usually, the less questions the better. But they’d asked me here for an interview, and we’d only covered a few things.
What had been the purpose? Catch me off guard?
By the time I arrived at the office, I was in a worse mood than when I’d gone in for the interview, but there was a small light at the end of the tunnel: Skye and Tess were dropping in at lunch so we could look at their business plan.
To my surprise, when I entered the meeting room, Ryker was there too.
On second thought, it made perfect sense.
As a Wall Street guru, he knew what investors were looking for.
Besides, we all met about once or twice a week for lunch anyway.
Before a Ballroom Gala, we sometimes had to discuss details, but mostly it was an opportunity to catch up.
Everyone worked in the Manhattan area, so it was easiest to meet for an impromptu lunch than schedule dinners.
Skye and Tess were all smiles, pointing to the take-out bags they’d brought.
“Ladies, this is enough food for ten people.”
“We went a bit overboard, but we just couldn’t decide. Besides, we know you had your interview today. Thought you might need some comfort food,” Skye explained.
“Or just comfort,” Tess added. “How did it go?”
I waved my hand. “Not worth talking about.”
“But they didn’t question Josie, right?” Skye asked.
“No. It was just me.”
As I sat down, I became aware that everyone in the room was watching me. I narrowed my eyes.
“Wait a second… your visit isn’t just about the business plan, is it?”
Tess groaned, turning to Cole. “You gave us away? We told you we do our best work if he’s unprepared.”
Cole shook his head energetically. “No, I think he just put two and two together.”
“Cole here tells us he worries about you. You can’t focus,” Skye said.
Tess grinned. “He thinks you’re sick. We think you’re mooning over Josie.”
I blinked. “Mooning? That’s a low blow.”
Ryker held up a finger. “Um, no. Bringing Mom in would have been a low blow.”
“Language aside, it’s not all an act, is it?” Skye asked.
“Shit, if I’d known you’d go all gung-ho on him, I wouldn’t have asked for your help,” Cole said. I looked at him and Ryker. I was completely unprepared to answer my cousins’ questions.
“Let’s not be hasty,” Ryker said.
Tess cocked a brow. “Brother, I’m not sure you’d realize you’re in love even if it smacked you at the back of the head.”
He grinned. “Love is not my domain, but I can bring in my charm and humor to any situation. I’ve been told it helps relieve tension,” Ryker said.
“Why do you think I asked you over?” Cole teased.
Ryker clutched his heart. “Because my Wall Street expertise will be invaluable for the business plan.”
I took advantage of the fact that he mentioned that to switch topics. “That’s right. Tess, Skye, I thought you said you wanted us to look over your business plan together.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t multitask,” Tess replied.
I narrowed my eyes. “Business plan. Now.”
Skye grinned. “Your lack of answer is an answer anyway.”
Tess nodded. “We’re good with that. For now.”
By the time lunch finished, I was in a much better mood. It carried on into the evening. Josie was already at home when I arrived, on the terrace. She was lying on a blanket and had lit candles everywhere.
“What’s up with the candles?” I asked.
“I’ve read this book that says candlelight helps with relaxing. Was just testing it out.”
“What’s the verdict?”
“So far, so good.” She patted the blanket. “Come here. How did it go today?”
I’d only shot her a message after I left the immigration building, because she’d been in meetings all day.
“It was very short… and I just had the feeling that they’re baiting me, asking about our marriage.”
Josie swallowed, shrugging. “We knew that might happen. Let’s not worry unless it escalates. How was the rest of the day?”
“My cousins stopped by for lunch. We looked over Tess and Skye’s business plan.”
I left out the other details . It wasn’t just that I hadn’t been ready to answer their questions. I wasn’t even ready to examine my own feelings.
“Those two are a powerhouse. I’m sure they’ll do great. I’ve always been jealous of your working lunches.”
“Join us. I’d love to have you there.”
“You forget, I’m a lawyer. I’ve not only signed off my time to the firm, but also my soul. Lunches are just an excuse for more work. But I’m used to it.”
“I can make up for all the stress in the evening.” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. Laughing, she pushed me on my back on the blanket, propping her chin on my chest.
“How?”
“You tell me.”
“You know what? My parents had this tradition where they met on the way home and talked about their day before they arrived. How about we make our own traditions? Catch up on the day just before dinner? We can come out here. Candles optional. I’m still weighing the pros and cons. What do you think?”
My heart started beating faster. I remembered a few traditions from my childhood before things went south.
Traditions I hoped to pass on when I had my own family.
I’d brushed off those thoughts for years, because some things had seemed out of reach, even for me.
Josie was giving me something I’d never had before, never even dreamed of having.
“I think you’re a genius. And I’m completely on board with you,” I said.
“You’re agreeing so fast with me these days, I don’t even know what to make of it.”
Grinning, I pulled her closer to me. “You’ll see, Josie. You’ll see.”
I wanted more of whatever this was—of everything Josie could give me.