Page 15 of Marriage Masquerade

“Forewarned is forearmed,” she muttered as she turned to get her notebook and a couple of pens.

Chapter Three

Gemma knew she’d never make it through the day without going crazy. The meeting with Frank LeBec ended on a low note from her point of view. She hadn’t been so inattentive in a meeting since she first started and feared she would make a mistake.

Yet how could she focus on business when her thoughts spun around her forthcoming marriage to Nikos?

Would they find common interests or live parallel but separate lives? Did he plan to remain in the States his entire life, or did he expect to return to his own country at some point in the future when he turned over the reins of the shipping line to a younger family member?

And always at the back of her mind hovered the question of what he expected from their marriage.

What didsheexpect?

At the conclusion of the meeting, she almost ran to her desk, hoping for a few minutes to herself. She ordered lunch from a nearby deli. She knew it reflected cowardice, but it also meant she could avoid her inquisitive co-workers for a while. If she stayed late tonight, she could avoid them all together.

Gemma had finished the last of her sandwich when Nikos walked calmly into her office. He eyed the deli wrapping paper with distaste.

“If you are free for dinner this evening, shall we have it at my home? It will give you an opportunity to see the place and provide us with the time to speak privately about our plans.”

Gemma nodded, wadding up the wrapping paper and tossing it into the trash.

“You’ll have to give me directions.”

She knew his apartment was on the west side of Central Park, but didn’t know exactly where.

“No need, you’ll be with me. Elise has discovered what we need to do to get a license. We’ll leave this afternoon in time to arrive at City Hall before they close. After we acquire the license, there is a one-day waiting period before we can conduct the ceremony. Wednesday afternoon has been cleared. We’ll be married then. Elise also located a moving company, which will pick up your furniture on Friday. If you’d prefer to be home on Friday when they arrive, we can work around that. Or I can have Hal handle it.”

“What?”

Gemma stared at him.

“Did you not hear me?”

Gemma stood, unable to decide if she should laugh or shout. A hint of temper simmered. She leaned over her desk slightly, eyes narrowed.

“Let me understand this, Nikos. You’ve single-handedly arranged our entire wedding without consulting me? Arranged to move my stuff without even asking what I want to do?”

He nodded. “I need you to work on these negotiations, not become sidetracked with plans someone else can handle. I delegated the tasks to Elise, and she completed them.”

“So we marry on Wednesday. Did it ever occur to you that I might wish to have some friends attend my nuptials? Or that maybe I have something already planned for Wednesday afternoon?”

Her voice rose on the last part, and Gemma took a deep breath.

It was nerves, nothing more.

But the man was so arrogant sometimes she could hardly stand it.

“Do you?” he asked calmly.

Tilting her chin, she met his gaze.

“What time? I’ll check my calendar.”

“Don’t be foolish, Gemma. I already had Elise verify that you’d be free. We agreed to marry as quickly as possible. Wednesday isn’t a busy day. Elise has canceled all appointments except those directly involved with the negotiations. When would be a better time?”

“That’s not the point.”

“Ah, maybe I’m missing something in this discussion.”

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