Page 46 of The Wrong Promise

“We can chat over lunch. It’s the only time I have free,” I tell him, not ready to discuss Zara in detail with him or anyone.

“Thank you, Lola,” Mom says as dishes are laid in front of us. “Please, no more talk of business at the table.”

The following day,I finish the last morning meeting over a Zoom call.

I knock, then open my assistant’s door. “Cancel my next meeting,” I tell Hayley. “I expect lunch with my brother to take longer than I desire.”

“Of course. When do you want to reschedule?”

“Later this afternoon. Email me the details.” I close her door and head outside to where my driver waits. “Bloom, please, Joseph.”

“Meeting your brother, sir?”

“Yes, at his request, not mine.”

I check emails and messages, but none from a certain female in London. If I know Zara, I expect theFuck you. I’ve moved outmessage any time now. We need to remain civil, at least until the gala. It’s enough time to secure some confidence with Sir James to sign the contract. The woman is under my skin, and I’m endeavoring not to think about her while I’m in LA finalizing business contracts. I have to focus, yet here I am, having lunch with my brother, who will open an interrogation about my feelings for her.

Inside Bloom, Franklin sits at the usual table at the back that is always reserved for family, friends, and last-minute reservations. He stands and shakes my hand. “Busy morning?”

“I’ve managed to survive on air only.”

He chuckles. “It’s a family trait. I’ll order us some food immediately.”

“Best you order us a bottle of Blanton’s La Maison du Whisky too.”

His brow furrows. “What the fuck have you done?”

“Nothing, yet.”

My cell lights up with an incoming call.Venus.I ignore it and block the number.

Frank raises an eyebrow. “You’re not seeing?—”

“No,” I cut him off. “I must have missed her number.”

“You’re blocking every woman you fuck?” he asks unbelievably. “Shall we address the elephant in the room first?” he snaps. “Why was Zara at your penthouse? No, why did she tell Penny it’s where she is staying?”

“Nothing happened if that’s your concern.”

He leans forward. “Yet.” His serious big brother face warns me not to mess with him.

I glare at him. “Give me some credit. I’m trying fucking hard here.”

Franklin holds his temples. “Je-sus.”

“I needed a favor. Sir James told me going forward, he didn’t trust me. Said my lack of having a wife or girlfriend depicted an irresponsible or untrustworthy nature. He thinks I’m not a man of my word if I’m not capable of committing to a relationship, so I asked Zara to be my fake girlfriend.”

“You’re fucking delusional,” he spits. “Why did she agree to it?”

“She needed somewhere to stay until she sorted out her living arrangement. I said she’s welcome to stay at mine indefinitely since I’m only there once a month.”

Franklin leans back in his chair and eyes me suspiciously. He links his fingers on the edge of the table. “There is nothing going on between you?”

“Nope.”

“So what does this fake dating entail?”

“She accompanies me to dinners with Sir James, and there is a gala ball we need to attend, and then the contracts should be secured. Sir James loves Zara. She’s perfect as she talks about Penny and yourself and how she loves Summer and…” Fuck.

---