Page 55 of Charming Deception

That gives me pause. “I’m trying not to make it emotional. It doesn’t have to be.”

The conversation is interrupted again as our entrées are served. Thick, tender slabs of Pacific halibut, the white fish drizzled with Sea Salt citrus gin-infused sauce and layered atop a crab cake, paired with grilled vegetables. Simple West Coast fare, but impeccably prepared.

I give Megan some time to enjoy it before pressing her for an answer.

“Tell me, honestly, what you think of my proposal.”

“I don’t know what I think.” She dabs her mouth with a linen napkin. “I’m sorry. This just doesn’t make any sense to me.”

“What part of it?”

“All of it.” She looks at me uneasily, like she’s still waiting for the hidden film crew to leap from the shadows as I shout Gotcha! “It’s just odd to me that you’re suggesting an engagement like it’s some business deal.”

“Well, we’re negotiating a serious contract.”

“Contract?”

“Just verbally. I’m not asking you to sign anything. I just want to make my expectations clear.”

She kind of chews her lip. “Yeah. Nothing more romantic than expectations.”

That throws me.

I wasn’t trying to make it romantic. I brought her for a nice dinner out of respect. And maybe I wanted to give her a glimpse of the life I can offer her for the next year. “I could be more romantic, if you want.”

She sits back in her chair and studies me. “You’re serious.”

“Getting engaged is very serious for me.”

It is. It’s not something I thought I’d ever do, so there’s that.

“I mean… you’d be romantic if I wanted you to?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Fake romantic.”

“You’d be my fiancée. That part would be real. There would be a ring. And money you’d have access to.”

“Money?” she echoes softly.

“Yes. Two million seems reasonable. Unless you think it doesn’t.”

I think I’ve floored her. I’m starting to understand that look on her face.

It’s not terror. It’s utter shock.

“You’d give me money?”

“I’d give you whatever you want.”

She swallows more wine. “This is… weird.”

“I guess I can see how it would be.”

I know she didn’t expect this proposal. But it’s an easy decision, isn’t it? Whatever worries she might have, I can take care of them.

I can take care of her.

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