Page 38 of Mr. Wicked

“You want me to pat her back and tell her I love her?” My words dripped with sarcasm. “All of you can fuck off.”

“Assuming she’s still single,” Laura continued, ignoring me, “she’s essentially going to be putting her personal life on hold while she heals your reputation. That’s a job, Grayson, and it’s a hefty ask of someone.” She adjusted her position, recrossing her legs. “Also, something you probably haven’t considered is that Jovana would have to tell her friends and family that she’s marrying you. Her NDA would prevent her from telling them the truth, so she’s going to have to make them believe that she’s in love with you. And at the end of all this, the poor woman is going to end up divorced, unable to tell her family why, and I assure you that any kind of divorce is something most people don’t want.” Her voice softened as she said, “Take it from someone who’s divorced—it’s a hard pill for most to swallow. At least Jovana’s young and, after you, she’ll have time to find the man of her dreams. If she wants to have a family one day, she has plenty of years to do that.”

Laura’s facade had finally cracked, and I took that into account. Her mention of Jovana’s friends and family and that they’d have to be lied to prior to our wedding and after our divorce was something even my hard ass could sympathize with.

She’d be helping to heal my recent wrongdoings. She’d be rebuilding my arm of the company, and that meant more to me than anything.

Laura was right—Jovana would have to sacrifice.

I sat back in my seat, processing everything that had been said tonight.

The benefits of going with Jovana, something I couldn’t believe I was even considering.

But Holden had a point. If I was going to move forward—and I didn’t know if I was—then marrying a stranger would create a whole new set of difficulties.

At least Jovana knew what to expect.

She knew I didn’t want this. She would know that I was backed into a corner without a choice.

Therefore, she wouldn’t expect a fucking rainbow after the Grayson storm.

That didn’t mean I liked the idea of her moving into my place.

Of having to trust a woman.

Of being tied down.

Of not being able to fish because I couldn’t risk getting busted and causing another media crisis.

Of getting married.

Of wearing a ring on a finger that I’d never planned to band.

“Shit,” I hissed, turning my attention to Laura. “How would you do this? Sit her down? Give her the logistics? Whip out a pen and have her sign the contract that’s probably already sitting in your bag?”

The crack in her appearance was gone as she said, “I’ll pull her aside this evening and set up a time for her to come into my office. I would like the conversation to take place there, where she’ll sign the NDA before anything is discussed, and you and your in-house counsel will be present, so everything is by the book and documented. We also have to get her on the app if she isn’t already and have her profile specifically on the marriage arm, and Drake”—she looked at our director of app development and engineering—“you’ll need to make sure the two of them are matched.”

“I’m happy to do so,” Drake replied.

“Before I leave this bar, the meeting will be set,” Laura said, her stare intensifying. “What I need you to do is make sure you don’t mess this up.”

My neck tilted back as if she were tugging on the rear of my collar. “Mess it up? How in the hell could I do that?”

She signaled that Jovana was on her way over, so she couldn’t answer, and I turned just in time to watch her carry our drinks to the table, working her way around the circle until she reached me.

That was when I got a whiff of her scent.

One I remembered licking off her.

Lavender and vanilla.

“I brought you all doubles,” Jovana said quietly. “My apology for having to wait so long for your drinks.” Once she placed the vodka in front of me, she tucked the tray under her arm.

“What, no bottle of Coke this time?”

She stared at me quietly. “Funny and wicked—you’re quite the combo, aren’t you.” She instantly broke eye contact and said, “I’m the only server on at the moment, so things are taking a little longer than normal. I appreciate you being so patient with me.”

We never caught eyes again before she left the table, something that oddly bothered me.

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