37. Epilogue
Epilogue
Spencer – Three Months Later
I ’m sitting in my office when someone barges in as though he owns the place. And I am surprised to look up and see my father.
“What’s this I hear about you getting married?” he asks, waving the invitation around.
I stop what I’d been working on and steeple my fingers together. “I’m not sure what’s confusing about this. The invitation has all the information on it. Shall I mark you down as coming or not?”
“I talked to my lawyer and he said you haven’t come to him for a pre-nup.”
“Why would I go to your lawyer for anything?”
“So you went somewhere else for your pre-nup?”
Beckett hasn’t sat down, so he’s towering above me, an intimidation technique that I hate. I lean back in my chair as though none of it matters. And really, it doesn’t. I’ve gone long past letting this man hurt me.
“What do I need a pre-nuptial agreement for, Dad? The only thing I have of value is the condo I own. And if something were to happen between me and Lis, I’d want her to have half. It’s her home as much as it is mine, even though I’m the one who pays for it.”
“You have a trust fund with twenty-six million dollars in it.”
Twenty-six? I guess it’s grown since the last time I looked.
“Actually, I don’t have a trust fund. You refuse to give it to me. So in fact, you have a trust fund.”
I’m not sure what he’s planning to say next because Lis breezes into the room with a smile, moving around my father like he’s nothing, and leaning down to plant a sensual kiss on my lips.
“Hey,” she whispers.
“Hey,” I return.
Then she straightens and turns to my father. “Hi, Beck. So nice to see you. You know you don’t need to RSVP to our wedding in person. A simple phone call would have been enough.”
“What have you done to make my son refuse a pre-nup? You’re nothing but a little gold digger and I’ll see to it you don’t get a single penny.”
I want to stand and tell him to get out of my office for saying these things to Lis, but she presses down on my shoulder, ensuring I stay in my seat.
“I don’t want a single penny from you or Spencer. I just want to marry him. Besides. He doesn’t have anything in his name that you need to worry about. Unless you want to give him access to that trust fund?”
“He knows the stipulations with regard to that.”
“He does. And so do I. And I think it’s just a way for you to try to control him. But I have an idea. Something that will make everyone happy. And a little bit unhappy. A perfect compromise.”
My father lowers his eyelids, giving Lis his signature businessman look. “I’m listening.”
“Give Spencer access to his trust fund and I’ll sign whatever pre-nuptial agreement you put in front of me.”
“Lis,” I warn. I don’t feel comfortable giving him that much control. But she just squeezes my shoulder to keep me from commenting.
“ Any pre-nuptial agreement?” my father asks.
“Any. I know Spencer just said he would want to split the condo with me if something happens and we get a divorce. But I’m also confident that we’re not going to get a divorce.” She turns toward me, with a smile. “Because I will never doubt again.” She returns her attention to my father. “So include it if you want. Include everything. I don’t need Spencer’s money. I just need him.”
I pull her hand off my shoulder and tug her onto my lap, giving her a long, slow kiss. When she breaks the kiss, she turns back to my father.
“So what do you say, Beck? Do we have a deal?”
She holds her hand out across my desk. He’s still standing there, just watching us. Finally, slowly, he extends his hand and shakes hers.
“I’ll have the papers drawn up. I’ll let you know when everything is ready.”
He turns and leaves my office. Lis returns her attention to me.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask her. “I don’t like the idea of you signing something that I don’t get any say in. It’s my money and if I want you to have it, then I should be able to let you have it.”
“I think I remember you saying it’s not real money, right?”
“The trust isn’t. But the rest of it is.”
She places her hands on my face, holding my gaze on hers, though she doesn’t need to. “Spencer. I love you . I don’t love your money. And I’m going to sign whatever paperwork your father deems necessary. And it’ll all be for nothing, because I love you and we are never getting a divorce. We’re going to have the greatest love story ever told and we’re going to live happily ever after.”
She kisses me softly and then pulls back with a smile. “Besides. We’re not just doing this for the money. We’re doing this for a shitload of money.”
“Mm. I love it when you quote Spaceballs to me.”
Her smile widens and she gives me a little shrug. “I just figured, why the money or the life you want? Why not both?”
* * *