Page 58 of Hook Up

If I don’t set the record straight now, Mandi will never cease and desist. Chasing her into the house, I grasp her shoulders, spinning her around. “While I appreciate your pseudo apology, I’m not interested in reconciliation. I’ve moved on. I suggest you do the same.”

“I’ll give you a few days to think it over.”

How dense is this woman? Holding open the door, I force a smile. “My answer isn’t going to change. Good luck to you, Mandi.”

I sag against the wall the moment she leaves, releasing an aggravated sigh.

I assumed after our last call, where I reiterated—again—how I was done with our relationship, that she would take the hint.

I thought wrong. Apparently, Mandi doesn’t enjoy being told no.

Too bad for her, because I’m not changing my mind.

“You did what?” Mr. Givens, my lawyer, is less than thrilled with me. To be honest, I worry he might have a coronary at my breakfast bar. “What is wrong with you? You married this woman without a prenup?”

“I did.” I’m not sure why he’s so bent out of shape. It’s my money.

“You realize she could take you for half.”

“She wouldn’t do that.”

“Right. Because I’ve never heard that line before.”

“You don’t know Greer.”

“Forgive me, Ryder, but neither do you. I notice she’s not here. Where is she?”

I bristle at Mr. Givens’ tone regarding my wife. “She had to finish up her work on Long Island.”

He buries his head in his hands. “I’m going to call her and see if I can’t get some agreement drawn up. Likely won’t stand in court, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Don’t you dare,” I warn.

“I know you think you’re in love, but you’ve worked so hard for all of this. Don’t throw it away on a decision made in the heat of the moment.”

I understand his point. It’s valid. To the outside world, my decision would appear impetuous and rash. But what the outside world doesn’t know is my long-standing desire to be with Greer.

They also don’t know her.

Although they will now.

Mr. Givens appeared on my doorstep, a stack of tabloids in his hands, demanding to know if there was any truth behind the rumors flooding the gossip mags. Those rumors being my surprise nuptials. Although they haven’t clinched any definitive proof, it’s only a matter of time. After all, marriages are a public record.

I wonder who leaked the news, although my money is on the maid who cleaned our villa. She was highly attentive to our needs, even claiming to be a huge fan of racing. Now I realize she was really a huge fan of dollar signs.

Mr. Givens expected me to be furious, but I simply shrugged and chuckled before letting him in on the events of the past few weeks. Granted, it’s not the way I planned for the news to hit the airwaves, but my hope is the race this weekend will overshadow any gossip, just long enough for my wife to get her sexy ass down here.

Then, I’ll let the truth hang out.

“What am I supposed to do here, Ryder? You hired me to protect your investments, then you throw them away on a spur-of-the-moment wedding to some woman I’ve never heard of. Please tell me she’s not a Vegas showgirl. Showgirls are notorious for this type of garbage.”

“She’s got the body of a showgirl,” I reply, smirking at Mr. Given’s horrified expression. “I’ve known her since I was ten and I’ve loved her that long.”

“Then why haven’t I heard about her?”

“I thought she was married. Turns out, she wasn’t. But I fixed that problem. Next on the agenda is a baby, in case you want to throw another apoplectic fit.”

“I’m so glad you find this amusing.”

---