Chapter 13
Normal Expectations
LANIE
I was headed to bed when I got the text I never wanted at a time I was tucking into bed and feeling lazy.
With Chloe and Dora in Paris, I turned in early after freezing on the roadside until Baz’s driver came.
I knew what a privileged statement that was, but just wanted to start the day all over again tomorrow.
Baz texted.
BAZ
You up still?
I rolled my eyes.
ME
I am not taking drunken booty calls.
BAZ
I’m not drunk
ME
Uh huh
I ignored my phone for a minute as I tossed my pajamas on the bed. It vibrated. He was calling.
“Yes?” I answered.
“I’m not pissed,” Baz said. “I figured it was easier to say it than to type it and have you not believe me.”
“Then why are you booty-calling me?” I asked.
“I’m… not?” Baz sounded confused.
“Oh,” I backed off.
“I had a favor to ask.”
“Uh… okay?”
“Well, you owe me. As you said, Lanie—”
I set my jaw. “Just say it, Baz. I don’t like playing games.”
“I disagree very much with that statement,” Baz said. “I think you enjoy our games. We have that in common, Lanie. In fact, I think you relish it so much you will want to go to hell with me in another way.”
I massaged my temples. “What, Baz?”
“My father assumes I should be married by now.”
“Baz, how old are you?”
“Forty-six. How old are you?”
“Almost twenty-nine,” I answered. “Do you feel old? Because you are and most men your age are married.”
“Ouch. Why are you being so combative, darling? Also, wow. I thought you were younger.”
“How young?”
“About twenty-five?”
“And you still slept with me?”
“You’re fit and clever. We’re both adults. I wanted you. You wanted me. I feel no guilt.”
I shrugged. “Alright, that’s fair. My point stands that he has normal expectations, Baz. Why aren’t you married?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… can I be frank?”
“Aren’t you always, Lanie?”
I smiled. I pictured his cheeky grin.
“Fine. You know me better than I thought. Well, you’re tall, handsome, rich, well hung, and you fuck like a man half your age.
What is wrong with you that you aren’t married?
And don’t say it’s because you work all the time because that’s no excuse.
My parents made it work even with my father’s career until he died a few years ago. ”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Baz said. “I lost my mother when I was very young. Losing a parent is hard.”
“It is, but don’t sidestep the question, Baz.”
“I adore your persistence. You really put a man’s balls in a vice.”
“You fucking love it.”
Baz chuckled. “I do… to a degree. There are many reasons. The number one being that I’ve never fallen in love with a woman who wouldn’t demand I do a fucking 180 on everything I believe in.
And if I settled for someone I could tolerate, I would never be the man she needed and I’d break her heart. Also, I’m morally opposed to cheating.”
“Same,” I said.
“Then we get each other?”
“Sure, I suppose. But what does this have to do with me?”
“My father demands I come home for a visit. He plans to dress me down over being completely unserious since he threatened me over not trying to find a wife. I need a wife and heir or he’s going to disinherit me.”
There it was. That was the admission I needed to know he was under fire. He confirmed I had an “in” with my scheme.
“So, you want me to… marry you?” I laughed.
“No. God! He’ll be dead soon. I just want you to pretend to be my prospective partner to placate him. This wasn’t my idea. It was Caleb’s, but I don’t think it is awful.”
“You talked about me to Caleb?” My jaw dropped.
“Yes, but stop worrying. Long story. He’s not upset. He was mostly relieved I didn’t ditch our match to fuck you—not that I didn’t debate it.”
I shook my head. “I am in no mood, Baz. For the first time in months, my libido is shot and requires some time to reboot. My sister’s stupid fucking car scared me.
Now it’s at the shop and needs a new transmission.
It’s like a $100,000 car. Granted, it’s older and hasn’t been driven in ages but… it should work.”
“Yes, it’s not as if it is an Audi.”
I smiled. “No. I will figure it out. I probably shouldn’t drive but I had a bad experience in a taxi back home a few years ago and I don’t like to take them. I realize how privileged that sounds.”
“Did someone hurt you?”
“I jumped out before anything happened,” I said. “But I don’t take taxis alone anymore.”
“I understand.” Baz unexpectedly didn’t make fun of or call me spoiled. “I’d never want anything to happen to you, Lanie.”
I didn’t answer.
His voice took on a sudden sweetness, then doubled back. “Will you come with me? You just need to keep up the ruse for a few days. We’re talking rural Scotland on the sea. It’s beautiful at the very least.”
I couldn’t say no. If I did, I would break our bargain.
If I didn’t go, I would never learn about my family history.
Going with Baz would not only allow me to stare down the person who stole things from us but also see a place my mother had never been able to take me. I’d do it for her if nothing else.
“Fine. We had an agreement and you’ve been otherwise a gentleman.”
“No one has ever said such a thing, but thank you, Lanie.”
“Anytime.”