26
EVERLY
AUGUST GIVES A LOW WHISTLE when I walk into the break room and points to my four-inch suede red heels. The rest of the office is at lunch so we have the place to ourselves.
“Damn, Cash wasn’t messing around when he took you on a shopping spree. You’ve worn a different pair of heels every day since he took you to Belgravia,” he remarks.
I take my lunch and a bottle of water from the fridge, twisting off the cap to take a sip.
“You deserve some credit for convincing me to ditch work,” I tease.
August laughs. “Rebellion looks good on you. It’s about damn time one of us found a way to stick it to Dick. He’s been even more difficult to deal with lately if that’s possible.”
I sit down at a table and unwrap the chicken sandwich that arrived an hour ago. When Cash and I can’t have lunch together, he arranges to have something delivered to me.
“Thank god, he lives on a different continent,” I say.
Since my dad showed up in London unannounced, he’s limited his communications with me to emails and messages. However, he has continued his onslaught of short turnaround times for projects—not just for me but the whole London team. He’s clearly on edge, and the longer the due diligence phase of the acquisition plays out, the more irritable his commutations become.
Cash and I have avoided discussing the deal whenever possible. I prefer to keep it separate from our personal lives, avoiding the constant reminder that this arrangement could still have an expiration date.
August grabs a granola bar from the snack basket on the counter and takes a seat next to me. “How are you holding up?” he asks. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’ve been smiling more lately and leaving at a reasonable time most nights. Can I assume it has something to do with Cash?”
I shift in my seat, looking down at my sandwich. “Maybe.”
It has everything to do with him.
My cheeks flush just thinking about our visit to the spa yesterday. All rational thought went out the window the second he slipped his hand inside my bikini bottoms. Occasionally, Cash’s blasé attitude rubs off on me, making me feel more carefree and adventurous than I’ve ever thought possible.
August studies my face.
“You’re totally sleeping with him now, aren’t you?” he asks bluntly.
“Yes, I am,” I say confidently.
There’s no point in denying it.
He grins from ear to ear. “Is now a bad time to say I told you so?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Is it serious?”
“More serious than a marriage?” I deadpan.
August bursts into laughter. “Well, when you put it that way…”
Cash and I haven’t defined whatever this thing is between us aside from agreeing that we’re not putting an expiration date on it. But there is no question we’re both enjoying our time together.
“We’re still deciding where we go from here,” I answer honestly. “When we agreed to this arrangement, we knew the score—once the acquisition is finalized, our marriage would end. Now, I’m not sure what’s going to happen. We’ve sure made a mess of things,” I say before taking a bite of my sandwich.
August shakes his head. “Nope. I won’t stand by and let you second guess yourself. After you broke things off with Landon, you avoided men like the plague and spent two years going through the motions. With Cash you’re more at ease. If things don’t work out between the two of you, I have no doubt you’ll come out of it stronger.”
“I sense a ‘but’ coming,” I say.
“ But , in my opinion, Cash is a keeper,” August says. “It’s clear that he wants the best for you and is committed to making you happy.”
“You’re absolutely right.” I pause to take a long drink of water. “I just don’t want to get hurt again,” I admit.
Cash has the power to cause me more pain than Landon ever could. Not because I’m worried he’ll betray me, but that he’ll decide he doesn’t want to stay married when the acquisition is finalized. My feelings for him run deeper than anyone before, and it frightens me to think I might get left behind in the end.
“I know it’s hard to move on after a heartbreak, but you deserve happiness. If Cash makes you happy, you should go for it.,” he says, leaning over to give my hand a squeeze. “Just know that whatever happens, I’m in your corner.”
“Thanks, August,” I smile. “I’m lucky to have you.”
“Hell yeah, you are,” he says playfully. “And I’m grateful for you, too.”
I’ve just stepped in the door from work when my phone rings. I let out a sigh when I see that it’s my mother… again. She’s called nonstop for the past couple of days, but I haven’t had the patience to deal with her. It’s only Monday, and work has already been unbelievably chaotic. August’s presence makes things bearable at the office, and coming home to Cash is my saving grace.
I draw in a deep breath and prepare myself for our call. I care about my mom and want to be there for her, but our conversations often leave me feeling emotionally drained.
“Hello, Everly.”
“Hey, Mom.”
I tuck my shoes and purse under the bench in the entryway and head into the kitchen. Cash is nowhere to be found, but I can smell something baking in the oven.
We agreed to have Fallon continue preparing our meals for now. She’ll be moving to New York soon, so we’re making the most of her exceptional cooking skills while she’s still in London.
“What’s going on?” Mom says, sounding annoyed. “You haven’t returned any of my calls.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and take a seat at the counter. “How are you?”
“Wonderful. You won’t believe where I am,” she chirps with excitement.
“Where?” I place my phone on speaker and set it on the counter next to me.
“Miami,” she exclaims. “Oh, Everly, things are finally turning around. I met a handsome surgeon online, and he invited me to stay with him for a month at his vacation house. It has a home theater and a pool with a waterfall. It’s incredible.”
“What’s his name?” I sigh.
“Mark.”
“What’s his last name? Does he live in Miami?”
“I’m not sure what his last name is—that’s unimportant,” she says, brushing off my question. “He’s from Colorado and comes here when he needs a break from work. He’s such a gentleman and is a dynamo in the sack.” I cringe, rubbing my temples as she giggles like a schoolgirl. Clearly, my mom doesn’t understand the concept of TMI. “Honey, I think he’s the one.”
I rub my forehead, trying to ward off an impending headache. This is so typical of her—going away with a man she barely knows. He could be married with kids and using his vacation house to keep his affairs hidden from his family, or a scam artist who thinks my mom has money of her own. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s gotten involved with someone like that.
“What happened to the guy you met in Bali?” I ask, taking a sip of water.
“You mean Jonathan?” She scoffs. “He was just a fling.”
That’s funny, considering she called him her soulmate the day she was packing for her trip to meet him.
“What happened?”
“The spiritual retreat he took me on was fabulous, but afterward, we stayed in a resort for a few days.” I hear the abrupt slam of a door in the background and the sound of shoes slapping against concrete. “The room had a terrible view, and he opted for the cheapest meal plan, then he had the nerve to get upset over my spa bill. I can’t be with someone unwilling to support the lifestyle I deserve.” She lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Mark treats me like royalty. I’m lounging out by the pool right now while his personal chef prepares dinner. Did I mention he’s filthy rich?” She laughs with glee. “Oh, that reminds me—I was in Aspen Grove last week and stopped by Main Street Market for some wine. Imagine my surprise when Willis, the owner, offered his congratulations on your marriage to Cash Stafford. Is there a particular reason you didn’t tell your mother you got married, and to a billionaire, no less?”
There are plenty of reasons, but none of which I want to share with her.
“We eloped in Vegas, just the two of us.” I keep my answer brief.
“Darling, this is amazing news,” she squeals. “I always knew Theo’s connection to the Staffords would pay off eventually. Please tell me you didn’t sign a prenup. You need to get every penny you can before Cash leaves you.”
I close my eyes, praying for patience. “Mom, I didn’t marry Cash for his money.”
He’s never brought it up, but I assume when this marriage ends, we’ll each leave with what we came in with. I would never exploit him like my mom has so many of the men she’s dated.
My stomach turns at the word when . There’s a voice in the back of my mind urging me to consider the possibility that this could be more than an accidental wedding turned marriage of convenience.
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to have unlimited access to it,” Mom says. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you sent me five grand. I found the most beautiful, limited-edition designer bag I can’t live without. It’s the least you could do for not inviting me to your wedding.”
It’s ironic how Johanna wanted pictures of Cash and me as a couple because she wasn’t at the wedding, while my mom wants a designer bag she’ll use once before she finds another she can’t live without.
I sigh. “Mom, I’m not sending you money for a bag.”
We’ve had this discussion hundreds of times. I never send her money outright and refuse to pay for anything that isn’t a necessity.
I cover her mortgage and utilities and have food delivered when she’s home in Aspen Grove. It’s important that she has a safe place to return to whenever her latest conquest doesn’t work out. She’s never worked a day in her life, and I’m not naive enough to think that’ll ever change, even if I cut her off. She’ll keep seeking new men to exploit as long as she can.
“How about for Christmas? Maybe by then, Mark and I will be married too, and he’ll buy it for me,” she exclaims.
“Yeah, maybe,” I say, sounding skeptical.
Despite her shortcomings, she’s still my mom. I respect Theo’s decision not to have contact with her, but I can’t do it. Unlike my father, she’s never belittled me or made me feel less than the gum on her shoe. Yes, she’s immature, materialistic, and self-centered, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about me in her own way.
Our contact will remain limited, with infrequent phone calls, but I’ll make sure that when she has her next messy breakup, her house will be waiting for her.
When I look up, Cash is walking into the kitchen and heading to remove a casserole from the oven.
“Mom, I have to go,” I tell her. “I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Oh, okay, darling. I’ll call you soon. Bye.”
“Bye,” I say, hanging up the phone.
Cash leaves the dish on the stovetop to cool and comes to take a seat next to me.
“How much of that conversation did you hear?”
He takes my hand. “Enough to better understand why you no longer believe in soulmates and steered clear of relationships after what happened with Landon.”
“You have a bad habit of eavesdropping on people’s conversations, don’t you?” I needle him.
“Maybe I wouldn’t be tempted if you didn’t use speakerphone,” he quips.
“Did you catch the part where my mom implied I should rob you blind before you decide to leave me?”
“I’m not leaving you, Ev. Besides, you don’t have to steal anything—it belongs to you.”
I scrunch up my nose in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“What’s mine is yours,” he states.
I gape at him in disbelief when he takes out his wallet and places a black card—with my name etched on the bottom—in front of me.
“When did you have this made?” I ask, tracing the golden lettering with my finger.
“The day we got back to London. I held on to it until I thought you might accept it.”
“I don’t need your money.” I slide the card back to him.
“Maybe not, but it would mean a lot if you kept it, just in case.” He pushes it back. “There’s something I have to say to you. I don’t know how you’ll take it, but it’s important that I get it off my chest.”
“I’m listening,” I encourage him.
“When all is said and done, and the acquisition has been finalized, I don’t want this to end in divorce,” he states firmly. “What we share is real… at least it is to me.” He reaches over to caress my cheek. “Whether that means we legally end our marriage and explore dating each other until you’re ready for more, or we renew our vows surrounded by our loved ones, it doesn’t matter. In the end, I want you as my wife forever.”
My head spins at his declaration. I’m still reeling from the conversation with my mom, and adding Cash’s declaration to the mix… It’s a lot to process. I never expected those words to come out of his mouth. Before me, he had never committed past a one-night stand. Now, he wants to spend his life with me? My breaths come out short and ragged, my chest tightening with each inhale.
“Cash, this isn’t… I’m not sure…” I trail off, struggling to find the right thing to say.
Aside from Theo, he’s become the most important person in my life. Our bond grows stronger with each passing day, and when we’re not together, his absence leaves a void only he can fill.
It’s clear that I’m falling head over heels for Cash Stafford, but my lingering reservations hold me back from diving headfirst into long-term commitment, even though the hopeless romantic in me is screaming at me to let go of my fears and follow my heart.
Cash takes my hand in his. “You don’t have to give me an answer now. This was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, plain and simple. All I’m asking is for you to think about what I said and decide if you can envision a life without me. If the answer is yes, I’ll let you go when the time comes. It will break me, but I’ll do if it makes you happy.” He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on the back before getting up to go over to the stove. “We better eat before it gets cold,” he says, dishing up casserole for both of us.
“Thank you,” I say when he sets my plate in front of me.
For everything.
“You’re welcome.” He smiles.
I take a bite of casserole, my mind racing, knowing this will be one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made. While I don’t have an answer for Cash right now, one thing is certain—life without him seems unimaginable.