Chapter Six. Rowan #2
I sigh. He clearly doesn’t know about the two-year time-frame codicil Gran made. The codicil that makes all this null and void if I want to act now and assert my place in TinSpirits.
But it’s enough, it’s a start that allows me to agree to this ridiculous farce to see how I can finagle it—use Chad to finagle it, really—to my advantage.
“Yes…” It’s more than anyone else is willing to help me with. “But I still don’t understand the why, Chad. I mean, I do. The stakes for me. You agree to pretend marry me so I can get my inheritance and then we get the marriage annulled in six months, but what’s in it for you?”
His smile is soft and his eyes are a mix of emotions that are way easier on me if I don’t decide to read into them.
“Professionally? TinSpirits is all I’ve ever known.
I bucked family tradition, much to my parents’ displeasure, and went against a career in law.
In hindsight, I think we gave up too soon on it and think that it’s worth teaming up with you to preserve what we can.
” He looks out the window and then finds my eyes again.
“And personally? I’ve always loved you.” His smile says it all and makes my heart plunge—and not in a good way.
“I guess I’d hoped that you’d see I’m putting you first, that I want what you want for you—”
“You’d be betraying your best friend.” It’s easier than saying the hard part out loud.
“That’s not how he’d see it. He’d see it as me knitting the family closer together. As me protecting his sister.”
I study him. I remember all the years of comments about how we’ll end up together someday.
The tongue-in-cheek ones said by our mothers and the more honest ones he’d whisper after a few drinks at some society function.
Ones that he’d brush off the next day somehow.
I’d gotten used to them, thought they were more of an ongoing joke, and now realize, deep down, they never were.
He always meant that.
What kind of person does that make me, to use his emotions for my benefit?
I have to say the hard part out loud though. “I can’t promise you that, Chad. What you want. I agreed to this as a means to an end. The plan is to get the marriage annulled.”
Chad is crushed by the harshness of this reality, but it’s one he needs to understand before we continue. I can see it in his eyes. In his posture. And for the first time in forever, I don’t care.
“I know, but … a guy can still hope.” He chuckles to play it off but he’s more than serious.
“You can paint me as the bad guy, you know. The one who breaks your heart in Westmore’s eyes when I walk away after the annulment. I’m okay with that.”
He nods. “I’d try to help mitigate that.”
“I appreciate it, but it’s not necessary.”
He rises from his seat and moves to the window to look out at the green grass beyond. “Our moms are wondering what’s going on? The engagement gets announced and then you fall off the face of the earth like you don’t want this to happen.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“You’ve been hiding while they’re chomping at the bit to plan.”
They’ve already planned—for the past five years. Nothing I say or do is going to stop that. “Tell them we’re eloping,” I deadpan.
He chuckles. “You’re serious?”
I nod. “It’ll allow us to both save face, not waste money, and not embarrass our families when it ends after a few months.”
“You’ve missed a lot in the ten days you’ve been gone and refused to answer the phone. The wedding planning train is on track and moving full steam ahead.”
“Perfect.” Fucking great. You agreed to this, Rowan.
“I’ve told them we want no frills but—”
“But they are who they are.” I scrunch my nose up and imagine yards of taffeta and a sweetheart neckline.
“They are.” The nerves in his voice have me looking more closely at him.
“What is it?”
“Well”—he clears his throat and reaches in his pocket—“I figured you’d need this to prove we’re actually together, or it might not look real or legitimate or … anything.”
Dread drops in my stomach as he moves toward me with the ring box held out and an oval solitaire diamond nestled in its black velvet. It’s ridiculously large and prisms dance all around the room from the sun hitting it.
Shit just got real.
My head spins and my mouth goes dry. My heart races and yet it feels like none of my limbs are getting any of the blood.
This is pretend. A pretend engagement. A pretend wedding. A pretend love affair.
But that diamond is fucking real.
“It’s not going to bite you,” Chad jokes.
“It’s … gorgeous,” I stutter and try to re-wrap my head around this.
“It’s yours.” His smile is bittersweet. Almost as if he were wishing he were giving this to me under different circumstances.
Where’d he get this? Did he go out and buy this for a fake wedding? Is it a family heirloom?
I’m not sure which one is worse.
I’m hesitant to take it, terrified of its insinuation as well as the repercussions if I don’t.
He reaches for my hand to slide the ring on my finger, and I pull a total bitch move and flatten my hand to ask for it to do it myself. He gives a slow nod and winces, but he acquiesces.
I hate that it fits perfectly. I hate that it’s completely stunning. I hate that it’s from Chad and I feel guilty for feeling that way.
We both stare at it for a beat before I cover it with my other hand and look up at him. “It’s gorgeous. Some woman who loves you madly will be lucky to have it one day.”
I see the little boy I once knew with dirt on his cheeks and an affinity for chocolate chip cookies, while also seeing the only man it seems I can trust right now.
And I don’t like it one bit.
He clears his throat as I stand to break up the gravity of the moment and settle the doubt that’s starting to creep in.
“We will have to sell this, Rowan. Be seen at the club. Go out to dinner and socialize. Have an engagement party with friends.”
My worst nightmare.
“We’ll figure that out as we go.” I shove aside his comments like they’re nothing.
He lifts his eyebrows, knowing me well enough to know that is me ignoring the request. “Look. I know this is weird for you, Rowan. I know this isn’t what you want—least of all with me—but I’m just trying to help you save TinSpirits.”
I close my eyes briefly and draw in a long breath. “And I’m the one with everything to lose.”
He snorts and looks at me with a disgust I’m not used to when it comes to him. “Really? That’s what you’re going to say to me?”
“Yeah. It is.” The ring feels so heavy on my finger. I want it off. I want him gone. I want all of this to not be something I need to do.
“You’re acting just like him, you know.”
“Who? Holden?”
“Rhett,” he deadpans.
Well, that’s a slap in the face.
“You’re so full of shit.”
“Entitled. Selfish. Thinking only about yourself?” He lifts his eyebrows and just stares at me.
“He’s my friend but I can still call it like it is.
Fact is, this is about both of us. You don’t think this puts my job security, my social status, my friendship on the line too?
This isn’t just you who would take the fallout, so stop treating me like I’m the bad guy.
I’m the one putting his neck on the line to help you.
And maybe I shouldn’t until you see it that way. ”
His words are a guilt trip wrapped in barbed wire, but one that makes me feel like an asshole nonetheless.
Yes, this is my mission, but Chad’s also the one falling on the sword for me.
Shit.
“Chad.”
“Forget about it.” He waves a hand at me as he turns on his heel and heads to the door.
“Wait.”
It slams and something about the moment has me scrambling after him as the idea that’s been ghosting in the back of my mind for the better part of a week lands front and center.
I fling open the door to see he’s halfway down the path.
“I know how to make this work,” I shout after him and his feet falter. The years and years of patriarchy that weigh on my shoulders ease slightly. “I need your help, though.”
“What’s that? Anything.” There’s an eagerness to his tone despite the moment that just transpired.
My smile is genuine for the first time we’ve been sitting here. I’m more than aware what a bitch that makes me considering the only time I’m sincere is when I’m making the biggest ask of all.
And showing my cards more than I should.
“I need your help with your uncle. I’ve heard you tell a few friends over the years that if they need to bend the law, you can help with that.”
“Row?” He takes a few steps toward me.
“I need you to convince your uncle to bend the law for me.”