32
CASH
I WAKE UP TO PERSISTENT knocking. Sitting up, I see Everly is still asleep. The sound seems to be coming from downstairs. I throw on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt and go investigate, hoping to stop the noise before it wakes Everly and my parents.
When I open the front door, I’m stunned to find Theo standing on the front porch. I spoke to him on Friday to let him know I was taking Everly to Aspen Grove, and he said he was scheduled to visit one of his restaurants in New York this weekend.
“Hey, what are you doing he—”
“Where’s Everly, I need to talk to her,” he interrupts, pushing his way inside the house.
“Theo?” Everly’s voice catches my attention.
She’s standing at the top of the stairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. There’s a faint smudge of mascara underneath them, and her hair is tousled. Thank god she put on a pair of gray sweats to go with my Linkin Park T-shirt before she came out of the bedroom.
“Can I talk to you in private?” Theo asks.
Everly comes down the stairs to join us. “What’s wrong? I thought you were in New York.”
“This is a conversation that we needed to have in person,” Theo states, refusing to look at me.
What the hell is his problem?
Everly frowns. “Does it concern Cash?”
Theo nods. “Yeah.”
“In that case, he’s not leaving,” Everly says, folding her arms across her chest.
I’m not particularly looking forward to being in the middle of their sibling showdown, but I like the idea of Everly wanting me here.
Theo runs his hands through his hair. “Richard called late last night and left me a five-minute voicemail. I thought it was a producer calling me back, and was surprised when I heard his voice. The last time we spoke was the day he walked out on Mom. I’m not even sure how he got my phone number.”
“What did he want?” Everly asks.
“Between the shouting and colorful language, it was hard to follow his message. From what I did understand, he claims Cash married you because Stafford Holdings is acquiring Townstead International and is using your marriage as leverage for a better deal.”
That fucking bastard.
Richard’s erratic behavior makes it clear he’s in a downward spiral. I wonder if he got wind of Harrison’s private investigator, or at the very least, is worried that we’re going to pull out of the deal because of the information his team was forced to hand over. It doesn’t make sense that he would reach out to Theo after all these years. If anything, telling him would incentivize us not to do business with Richard. The problem is that he’s not thinking rationally right now. He’s in a panic and grasping at straws.
I’m counting down the days until he’s out of Everly’s life for good.
“Why didn’t you call me?” she asks Theo.
“Like I said, this isn’t something I wanted to talk about over the phone. I had to make sure you’re okay,” Theo explains, casting me a sideways glance.
“Is there something you want to say to me, Theo?” I interject.
It was only a matter of time until he found out about the acquisition and that it was the reason Everly and I stayed married in the beginning. Though I would have preferred Richard not be the catalyst and to have this conversation somewhere other than my parents’ entryway.
“Did you lie to me about your feelings for Everly? Is it true you married her because of a business deal?” he mutters through gritted teeth.
“Everything I told you was true. Everly and I were tipsy and made an impulsive decision to get married in Vegas.”
“Is Stafford Holdings buying out Townstead International?”
“Yes.”
Theo’s eyes darken, and he steps toward me. Before he can get too close, Everly steps between us, placing her hand on his chest.
“Cash and I planned on getting an annulment,” she says calmly. “I found out about the acquisition the day after we got married. Harrison and Dylan warned us that the optics would look bad if we didn’t stay together, and Dad threatened to fire me if I didn’t wait until after the deal was finished to dissolve our marriage.” Everly’s voice softens toward the end.
Her recount of how things started between us makes me wince. It’s painful to think our marriage started out as happenstance, followed by an unwanted arrangement. We’ve come a long way since then, and the notion of losing her sends a wave of panic through me.
Theo clenches his fists at his side, staring daggers at me. “So, Cash used you?” he questions warily.
Everly shakes her head vehemently. “No, he didn’t. If anything, I used him. He was doing me a favor so Dad wouldn’t fire me, and he’s been nothing but supportive since,” she states boldly. “What you saw when you visited our apartment was genuine,” she adds. “I love Cash.”
A rush of warmth crashes over me as her words sink in. This is the first time she’s openly shared her feelings for me with someone else, and despite the circumstances, I’m elated to hear her heartfelt declaration.
Theo’s eyebrows knit together, attempting to make sense of Everly’s statement.
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” he asks, his voice betraying his hurt.
“I was embarrassed about my impulsive decision to get married, and after finding out about the acquisition, I was worried you’d try to intervene if you found out.”
“Damn right I would have.” He sidesteps around her, shoving a finger in my chest. “How the hell could you let this happen? You were supposed to protect her.”
“I did protect her. From your dad. That’s one of the main reasons we decided against getting an annulment, so he wouldn’t—”
“What is going on here?” a loud voice booms, cutting me off. “Theo, what are you doing here so early?”
We all look over to find my parents standing in the hallway. My dad is behind my mom, his hands resting on her shoulders, and she wears an unreadable expression. Based on their demeanor, it’s obvious they overheard our conversation.
Fuck, this is not how I wanted them to find out.
Theo takes a step back, running his hand through his hair. “Maybe I should leave,” he suggests.
My mom puts her hands on her hips. “Oh, I don’t think so. From what we just heard, it sounds like you and Cash need to talk this out.” She waves between Theo and me. “I won’t stand by and watch your friendship fall apart because of a misunderstanding.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Everly chimes in. “The two of you should talk this out, and once you’re done, we’ll finish our conversation,” she says to Theo.
“Well, you heard the women. Get moving,” my dad orders when neither of us makes the first move.
It’s like we’re teenagers again as we shuffle down the hall toward the kitchen under my parents’ watchful gaze. Everly lingers in the hallway, her expression impossible to decipher.
I settle into a chair at the island, drumming my fingers against the kitchen counter. Theo sits next to me, tapping his foot against the floor as he shoots me a disapproving glare.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I mutter.
“I’m calculating how many punches I could throw before Everly and your parents intervene,” he deadpans.
I turn my head so he can see the left side of my face. “Go ahead,” I say, spurring him on.
He glares at me. “This isn’t a game. You were my best friend, and you stabbed me in the back.”
I roll my eyes. “I am your best friend.”
“Newsflash—a friend doesn’t marry your sister and keep important details about said marriage a secret.”
I meet his hostile glare, swallowing hard. “Theo, I understand you’re upset, but Everly specifically asked me not to tell you about the acquisition,” I explain, my tone apologetic yet firm. “You’re my best friend, but she’s my wife. I couldn’t betray her trust, even if it meant disappointing you. I hope you can understand where I’m coming from.”
He narrows his eyes. “None of this would have happened if you had stayed away from Everly like I asked you to.”
“That was over fifteen years ago. We’re adults now, and a lot has changed since then. I’m sorry for hurting you, but I wouldn’t change anything. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Have either of you been with anyone else since you’ve been together?”
“Fuck no.”
“What happens when the deal is finalized? Are you getting divorced?” His gaze bores into mine.
“No,” I state.
“Why not?”
I take a deep breath as I feel my patience wear thin. Theo has every right to be angry, but it doesn’t sit well that he’s questioning my commitment to Everly.
“Because she is my entire world. This might have started out as an arrangement, but it’s turned into the real deal. I love her, and by some stroke of luck, she loves me too.”
Theo slumps back into his seat. “Damn, I never thought I’d see this possessive side of you.”
“Everly’s the only one who brings out this side of me. I’d do anything for her.”
“Does this mean I flew in from New York for nothing?” Theo asks.
“It’s a short flight. It would have been more impressive if you came from London,” I retort. “Since you’re here, I do have something important I want to ask you.”
I glance toward the hallway to make sure Everly is out of earshot. “I’m going to ask Everly to marry me today. Since you’re the most important person in her life, aside from me, of course.”—I shoot him a smirk—“I want to get your blessing.”
There’s no chance in hell I would ever ask Richard. He doesn’t deserve a say in his daughter’s personal life, so it only seems fitting that I ask Theo instead.
“You’re already married,” he reminds me.
“I’m asking her properly this time.”
“And what if she says no?”
“Then I’ll keep asking until she says yes.” I grin.
Although I have it on good authority that she won’t. She told me she loves me and wants to spend the rest of her life with me. I’m hoping that means she’s open to staying married, too. There’s only one way to find out.
“I’m tempted to say no just to mess with you, but I think Everly would disown me if I did.” Theo holds his hand up before I can reply. “But under no circumstances are you allowed to call me your brother,” he warns.
I give him a sly smile. “Whatever you say, brother ,” I say, unable to help myself. “We’re all made up now,” I holler down the hall, not giving Theo a chance to respond.
In a matter of seconds, Everly rushes into the room, her eyes darting between Theo and me. My mom follows close behind, wearing a frown on her face, and my dad comes in last with an unreadable expression.
“I apologize for showing up to your house unannounced,” Theo says to my parents. “And I’m sorry for worrying you, Everly.” He gets up to give her a hug. “I just want to make sure that you’re happy.”
“I am,” she says, smiling. “We should have been open with you from the start, and Cash and I have learned that withholding information from our families is never a good idea.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Ultimately, Everly and our families are what matter most. Secrets don’t stay hidden forever, and honesty is the best policy moving forward.
“Mom, I’m sorry for not telling you and Dad sooner,” I say, fixing my eyes on the floor between us. “When I saw how excited you were about me getting married, I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that Everly and I were planning on getting an annulment. But then everything changed. Once we got back to London and spent more time together, our feelings for each other grew into something more.”
Mom shakes her head. “Oh, sweetheart, did you honestly think you could deceive your mother? I knew your marriage was a sham on the day of family pictures.”
My jaw drops open, and I stare at her in disbelief. “How is that even possible?”
“Let’s just call it mother’s intuition,” Mom says, giving me a pat on the cheek.
“Did you forget your mother has a habit of leaving the windows open during the summer?” my dad interjects. “If you’re in the living room and it’s quiet enough, you can catch everything said out on the porch.”
Unbelievable. She must have thought she was so clever, making Everly and me pose for photos even though she knew we weren’t actually together at the time. This woman has no boundaries when it comes to meddling in her kids’ love lives.
“I did no such thing,” my mom scolds my dad.
“Sure, Mom, whatever you say,” I add, rolling my eyes.
Between her and Harrison, Everly and I never stood a chance at getting out of this marriage, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Harrison is in serious trouble. As the last single sibling, Mom will definitely be on his case to find a wife. I can’t wait to sit back with a bowl of popcorn and watch the drama unfold. His workaholic nature has always gotten in the way of his dating life, and whoever ends up with him will have her hands full.
“I don’t want to be rude, especially since Theo flew in from New York, but Cash, don’t you and Everly have plans this morning?” My mom taps her watch for emphasis.
“We do?” Everly asks, turning me for confirmation.
“Johanna’s right,” Theo agrees, shooting me a knowing glance. “You lovebirds should get moving. I have to be back to New York for an event this afternoon and need to leave now if I’m going to make it in time.”
Everly gives him a puzzled look. “You flew all the way to Aspen Grove for a short conversation?”
“I would do anything for you, sis,” Theo says, pulling her in for another hug and kissing her on the temple. “I love you. Once we’re both back in London, come to the restaurant in London and I’ll cook for you. Fallon might think she’s better, but we both know the truth.” He winks.
“What about me? Am I invited?” I tease.
“Depends on how the next hour goes.”
“What is he talking about?” Everly asks, looking between us.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Johanna interjects with a smile as she ushers us toward the front door.
Here goes nothing.