Chapter 4
GRACE
Asher watches me from the corner of his eye. I think he expected me to jump at his deal. And for the sheer amount of money he’s willing to pay me, maybe I should be leaping.
Asher Caine is absolutely gorgeous; I could do worse for a fake husband. I’m not sure why agreeing to this feels so scary. It’s a temporary marriage, one that would be mutually beneficial for both of us.
He gets to take over his family's company, and I get to not be broke.
The idea of paying off my student loans and still having money in my bank account brings a smile to my face.
I wouldn’t be dependent on anyone, wouldn’t need to go back to Michigan with my head down, waiting for my parents to say I told you so.
Not that they would, but even so, the words would be looming over me.
They thought moving here for college and then staying after was a terrible idea.
My father even sat me down to talk through how expensive this city is.
You can write from anywhere, Gracie. He wasn’t wrong.
But being a writer in New York City was my life’s goal.
How was I supposed to walk away from something I’d been dreaming about for my entire life?
After four and a half years here, it’s starting to make sense. I thought I’d just magically make things work, but it’s not that easy. Money speaks a language more effective than words. And when you don’t have it, you might as well be useless.
Asher’s offer seems too good to be true. I know there has to be a downside. A million dollars doesn’t come without strings.
"Do you pay all your girlfriends?" I'm surprised when the snarky comment pops from my mouth.
Asher's lips tic up into a slight smirk, and he leans back into his chair, smoothing his hands over his dress pants. "Well, you'd be my first."
“Does he mean I’d be your first girlfriend or the first girlfriend you’ve paid for? My eyes narrow.
“I’ve never hired a woman to date me before, Miss Morgan.”
"Then why are you now? Surely, you could get someone to date you without paying them." I gesture my hand to him, waving it up and down, as he sits across from me. He's attractive, and more than that, he exudes power. I'm surprised women aren't falling to their knees, begging him to take them home.
Why does he need me?
“Most women want the whole nine yards. They want a rich husband, a dominant partner, and someone to share their life with.”
“And you can’t be all three?” I question.
“Something like that." For a moment, his eyes dart away from me, and sadness pulls at his features. The flicker of emotion lasts only for a second before it disappears, and I wonder if I even saw it or if I made it up.
“So you decided to hire someone instead…”
“I find things work better if clear expectations are set from the beginning.”
“Like our breakup date?”
Asher laughs at that, and I find myself smiling with him. Laughing Asher puts me at ease, and the tightness in my chest loosens, letting my lungs have a chance to breathe evenly.
“Yes,” he says, then explains, “No one gets hurt if it’s not real and we both know our parts.”
I nod along. “You get your company and I get paid.”
“Exactly.”
I swallow, feeling more at ease about the whole situation. Asher Caine doesn't seem like a bad guy. If anything, he seems dedicated to his work and a bit… lonely. How bad could it possibly be pretending to be his wife for a year? Especially knowing that at the end of it, I'll be financially stable.
“And while we're together…” I trail off, nerves seeping into my tone again. “What is it that you expect of me?”
This is just a little detour along my path, and I need to make sure that it doesn't derail my whole life. I still need to find a new agent and finish my book. Or maybe choose a new career.
"As long as you don't create any scandals or tarnish my image, you're free to live your life, Miss Morgan."
I nod. So I can spend the next year writing and querying. There's just one more problem…
"Uhm, the waitressing job, it… well… it paid my bills." Shame coats my skin. I don't like the idea of having to ask for help. But without my job at Haven, I'm not sure how I'll pay my rent, and the number in my bank account is getting closer to zero every day.
Asher waves a hand. "Consider it taken care of."
"What does that mean?" I ask, tugging my bottom lip between my teeth. Asher's eyes find where I'm chewing on it, lingering there for a moment before answering me.
“I’ll handle all your bills,” Asher says, his voice firm. “You'll also have a card to put any of your expenses on. And once we’re engaged, you’ll move in.”
My breath catches in my throat. “Move in?”
His eyes lock onto mine, leaving no room for argument. “It’s crucial for appearances, Grace. We need to maintain the image that we’re deeply in love.”
Suddenly, I can feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me. “What if I want to keep my place? Just in case things get… difficult?”
Asher’s expression softens, just a fraction. “If that makes you feel more comfortable, I can continue paying your rent as well. But you’ll need to spend the majority of your time at my place. Otherwise, this arrangement won’t be too convincing.”
I exhale slowly, nodding as I absorb his words. This is happening so fast, but the promise of financial security and a chance at my dreams pushes me forward.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Asher pulls open one of the desk drawers, lifting out a manila folder that he lays on in front of me, lifting the top to reveal a stack of crisp white documents.
The first page reads: Marriage Contract.
I swallow the lump of anxiety that's building in my throat.
Am I really doing this?
"You should read the contract." He nods at the papers.
Hesitantly, and with shaking fingers, I lift the contract. It's multiple pages long, resembling something I’d sign at a bank or a lawyer’s office.
It has today’s date and lists Asher's full name (Asher Evern Caine) with mine, stating that we'll be referred to as Party A and Party B, respectively. It reads that we'll enter into a lawful marriage until the conditions of the contract are met.
The marriage shall commence upon legal filing and shall continue for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of marriage, unless terminated earlier as provided herein.
Upon completion of the term, parties agree to file for divorce on amicable grounds.
Party A shall pay Party B the sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) upon successful completion of the twelve-month term.
The dollar amount written out in plain text makes my heart pound harder. This is real. This is really real.
It goes on to say that Asher will cover all living expenses during the marriage and that I'll be required to accompany him to social, professional, and family events.
"Everything okay?" Asher asks when I set the pages down.
Anxiety squeezes my chest, making it impossible to breathe, let alone speak.
Is this a bad idea?
What if I agree to his terms and this all goes badly?
But on the other hand, what if I spend the year writing and querying, and by next year, I'll be published with a large sum of money in my bank account. And then I can finally live my life.
Most people will never get an opportunity like this.
I'm holding an all your dreams come true card, and all I need to play it is to sign my name.
Without another thought, I grab a pen from the cup on Asher's desk and scribble my name on the line.
Then I drop the pen as if it burned me and look up, finding Asher's eyes on mine. He’s smiling, the corners of his lips tilting up and his white teeth on display. It’s a beautiful sight.
"Well, Miss Morgan, it seems we're getting married."