5. Kent
Chapter Five
KENT
Liz and I ride the lift back up to my father’s corner office on the top floor of Bonnaire Enterprises. Alone. Truthfully, I’m not much of an actor. But I do fancy myself a fine salesman. And I know I can sell this engagement—even to Dean Bonnaire.
Liz seems confident enough to help me pull this off. I certainly made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. I had to. It’s my best chance. And if it works, the return on investment will be incredible.
“I think it’s best we keep this meet and greet brief,” I say, knowing that if we stay too long, Dad might smell something. Something like bullshit.
“Do we have to do this now? Can we have a little more time to get our story straight?” Uh-oh, the first whiff of fear. I can’t let her succumb to it.
“Liz, try to relax. We’ll be in and out in five minutes. The moment he sees you and that sparkle in your eyes when you look at me, he’ll be completely convinced of our engagement.”
She swivels her neck, shooting me a look. “What was that? A sparkle in my eyes?”
I can’t help but smirk. “You can try to deny it all you want. But I see it every time we meet,” I say. With a click of her tongue, Liz rolls her eyes. And they’re still sparkling. “Admit it. You fancy me.”
“I fancy getting this meeting over with,” she says under her breath, arms crossed.
“No need to be shy about it. I fancy you too. That’s why I know we can pull this off.
Together.” My admission doesn’t exactly feel like a revelation.
We’ve flirted in every interaction. We have a date set for tomorrow night.
It’s obvious we’re attracted to one another.
Though, I’m not sure either of us thought it would lead to an engagement.
From what I can tell, Liz and I are the same. We’re not the marrying kind.
“We can pull it off if we have a legit-sounding story,” Liz is all business. See? I’m right.
“Here’s the story. We met at Drew and Kate’s wedding and fell madly in love. You’ve come to London to be with me, and I proposed marriage. Short and sweet.”
“Why have I given up my life in California to be with you?” Liz asks with her dark brows knitted as if these are her real circumstances.
“Because he’ll ask fewer questions that way,” I say.
“Of course, he would assume that. Women always have to give their power away.” She tucks in her arms tighter, popping her hip.
“I’m not saying I would ask you to do that but remember, this is all a charade.”
“Right.” She straightens her spine and drops her slender arms at her sides as if preparing to take the stage. “Okay, so what made us fall madly in love?”
“Let’s see. Our shared love of wine and that we prioritize an active lifestyle.” I list the things I know we have in common from the very little time we’ve spent together.
She knocks down my idea with a flick of her beautiful eyebrow. “Wine and working out?”
“Those are facts,” I say, dusting off my wool lapel.
“Facts?” Liz huffs a laugh, and her eyes sparkle again. “You’ve never been in love, have you?”
The woman’s calling me out. Seeing right through me. Now I see something else in her eyes. Pity? Disappointment? Disbelief? I can’t seem to grasp it. I hesitate to respond, which isn’t like me, but then finally offer, “No, I can’t say that I have.”
This is not a fact I’ve ever been ashamed of before. So why do I find it somewhat unnerving to admit now?
“Well, you might be one of the lucky ones,” she says, and a slew of unanswered questions spring to mind. I know all about her business but what’s the rest of her story? Perhaps I can inquire further over a glass of wine.
“Under these circumstances, let’s hope so,” I say.
“Yeah. So, Kent, what’s your best quality? The thing you love most about yourself?”
Hmm, what do I love about myself? “Do you want a list?” I joke, and she responds with a chuckle, playfully pushing my shoulder.
“Seriously, give me something. One thing.”
“One thing, eh? Well, I’m not afraid to take risks. And when I do, I dive in with my whole heart,” I state, knowing that this is a quality that makes me, well, me.
Liz looks up at me with a soft smile, her pretty brown eyes shining. “We have that in common.”
For a moment, I see more than just attraction reflecting back at me. I see myself in her. At this moment, I’m certain she’s the right woman for this job.
“One last question. How did you propose?” she asks.
“Uh.” I blow out my cheeks. “I got down on one knee and asked you to marry me.” Isn’t that how every man proposes? At least the decent ones.
She chuckles again. “Duh, but when? Where? I need the details in case he asks.”
“Hmm. How about over a glass of wine on my balcony beneath the stars, looking over London’s bright lights?”
Liz gives me a nod of approval. “Sounds nice. Intimate.”
I reflect a proud smile at her. Perhaps I’m more of a romantic than I realized. The lift’s bell dings and the doors slide open like the red velvet curtain on the West End stage. “We’re here,” I say, taking her hand and assuming my role as the doting fiancé.
She gasps and immediately flinches, ripping it away, a panic-stricken look on her face. What was that? Can’t say I’ve ever had such a strong reaction from a simple hand-holding.
“Are you all right?” I ask.
“Yeah. Fine.” She shakes her head as if shaking away anxious nerves. “It’s just been a while since someone’s held my hand.”
Hmm. Liz’s reaction sparks my curiosity once again.
More questions. “I promise I won’t bite,” I say, offering her my hand again.
She takes a moment before clasping her petite fingers around mine.
I instantly notice her skin’s softness and warmth.
There’s something comforting about it. Strange.
I didn’t know I needed any comfort. Not like this.
I give her a reassuring smile. “Now, just follow my lead.”