Page 37 of Strike Zone

“Is that a compliment?”

“All I’m saying,” his thumb grazes against my wrist, “is we could make it work. At least long enough for me to get my inheritance. I’m sure there is something in this for you too.”

“There isn’t. It could be good for business.” Other than making my mom happy by seeing her little girl get married, I can’t think of any personal reason why this is a good idea for me.

“Good for business, but bad for you. My dad is skilled at manipulating people into believing a deal favors others more than it does him. I promise whatever story he has sold to your dad, it isn’t at all what it seems.”

“They have been working together for years. Friends for longer. Why would he try to pull one over on him?”

“Money,” he says with a shrug. “Power. Men have done worse for less. He’s been trying to purchase a piece of your family’s business for years. If we are married, he can use the family card to get what he wants.” I smile. Pretending what he said doesn’t send bouts of rage through my body.

“You are not selling yourself very well if you actually want me to walk down the aisle.” I refuse to play a part in some rich man’s game.

“What I want is my freedom.”

“Interesting that you are seeking that while acquiring a ball and chain. Some might say you are trading one jailor for another,” I joke.

“I like you. You aren’t the same quiet girl I remember. I think I might enjoy this more than I thought I would.”

“I haven’t agreed to anything. If what you say is true, I should be warning my father against this whole arrangement.” I keep my voice low even though I know they can’t hear me.

“You might. Or we can beat my father at his own game.”

“What are you suggesting?” My instincts are telling me I can trust Daniel. However, he is still the son of a man who may be trying to hurt my family.

“We go forward with the engagement. Give me time to talk to lawyers and find a way to work around my father. If we break this off now, I don’t stand a chance.”

“This seems very beneficial to you. I would do better cutting my losses and walking away.”

“A favor for an old friend?” He flashes a boyish grin. “After graduation, I’ll get down on one knee. You say yes and we spend the summer trying to stick it to the man.”

I can’t think of any reason for me to say no.

Except for the way I felt dancing in the kitchen with Wyatt. And the way his eyes would flicker with delight when he caught me looking at him.

But he’s not interested in me. Wyatt likes Charlie. And I’m the one who’s going to help him get her. I shake my head in a lousy attempt to erase the memory of his hands against my skin.

“Yes,” I say and lift my glass.

“Cheers, fiancée.”

A weight lands heavy in my stomach making me feel like I’m making the wrong choice. But that can’t be right because there is only one real option.

9

WYATT

“You never told me about your dinner with your fiancé,” I tease, throwing a bag of chips into our shopping cart. Wren and I are shopping for snacks for my movie date with Charlie.

“He’s not my fiancé yet,” she mutters.

“I thought it was set in stone. A done deal.”

She consults her shopping list on her phone and lets out a sigh. “He’s not who I thought he was. I don’t know. He…” her voice trails off as she picks up a bag of plain popcorn and puts it in the cart. I immediately take it out and exchange it for white cheddar.

“He what?” I stand in front of the cart, stopping her forward progress. The metal of the cart cuts into my hand since I’m gripping it so tight. If he said something to her, or worse, did something.

“Don’t get your boxers in a bunch,” she says. I would tease her about knowing what kind of underwear I have but she’s the one who’s been organizing my laundry. “It’s nothing. He was nice. We had a good conversation about our future.”

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