Page 26 of Just My Fake Husband

The cracks inside of me have calloused over now. I do what I have to do when I have to do it. There is no other choice.

I just have to figure out how I’m actually going to tell him.

Chapter 9

Gabriel

“I’ll do it.” River is shooting daggers from her eyes as we square off in her living room. Her stance is wide, like she’s ready to fend off a defensive tackle in a game of football.

I sensed it, the hum of sensation when someone needs to say something to you. It’s been emanating from her since her sister went to bed a few minutes ago. Still, to hear the words coming out of her mouth sends a bucket of cold water over my head, prickling my skin with jagged ice.

“You’ll marry me?”

Her chin goes in the air. “You’ll pay for Skye’s care at the group home for the entire year we’re—” she clears her throat. “—married, and then for four years after. I need time to put away enough money to keep her there long-term.”

“Five years total?”

“Take it or leave it.” Something crosses over her features, a caveat. “If she actually ends up staying there. If not, we’ll put those funds towards another caregiver who can be with her at home all day. If we can ever find anyone good enough.” She closes her eyes briefly and leans back on her heels a little. “At the year mark, we’ll dissolve the marriage.”

“You’re already talking about it dissolving?” I put my hand on my chest. “That cuts deep, River.”

She rolls her eyes. Whatever softness I got from her out near the lake is long gone. “There will be no feelings discussed, nothing physical, this is a business arrangement. The most business-like business arrangement you’ve ever had.”

“See, that’s not going to work,” I counter.

“What’s not going to work? You said you’d cover Skye’s care—”

“Not that. That’s fine. I will pay for Caring Souls for the next five years. But the ‘nothing physical’ thing. That’s not possible.”

She’s seething, gritting her teeth. “If you think this is going to be an actual marriage physically, with, with,benefits, you are sorely mistaken!”

I can’t help a laugh. “Benefits? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“Stop.”

“I don’t mean benefits. Nothing sexual will happen . . . that I can promise you.” I give her a once over. The second I begin to entertain having a physical relationship with her will be the beginning of the end for me. I cannot go there. Ever.

“And what’s so wrong with me?” Her lip curls and her eyes narrow.

“I told you I was attracted to you. I think it’s safe to say we are both attracted to each other. And that’s a good thing because we need to sell this. Which brings me back to the physical aspect.There has to be touching . . . we have to make people think we’re madly in love, don’t we?”

She chews on her lip. She could qualify for an Olympic medal in thinking, she’s ruminating so hard. “Fine. But only in public.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it any other way.”

Biggest lie ever told.

“And only necessary touching, Gabriel.”

I hold up my hands. “Of course.”

“Okay, so do you want to find a lawyer to draw up the contract? Or should I?” she asks.

She doesn’t have money for a lawyer and we both know it. “I got it.”

“Okay then.” She takes a look around at the house, boxes piled up every which way. I don’t miss the flicker of sadness in her eyes. “And after we move and we get Skye settled at her new place, I’ll move in with Jana for a little while until I have enough to pay for a rental.”

“No. You’ll live with me.”

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