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Jude would have preferred to work out the details without an outside attorney since he wanted to keep the circle of people who knew about his diagnosis as small as possible. He would have been happy to sign a waiver acknowledging conflict of interest, but Lionel Carlyle had refused to write the contract unless both Jude and Eve were separately represented.

So he’d agreed to let Gina Farris act as his lawyer for this particular proceeding.

It was taking longer than it should have, and Jude’s headache was getting worse.

He’d woken up with a relatively mild headache, but that was his norm recently. He’d ignored it, getting up early to take a run and then, after showering, dressing, and drinking the smoothie Nancy pressed on him, driving into town to meet the others at Carlyle’s office at nine.

He’d been hoping to be done by ten, but it was almost ten thirty now. His headache throbbed behind his eyes, and he was having trouble sitting still.

Carlyle was a balding, respectable-looking man in his early fifties with the same quiet intelligence as his daughter. He clearly wasn’t pleased with Eve’s impulsive decision to marry Jude, but he’d thus far refrained from putting his disapproval into words.

When they moved on to the section on infidelity, Jude bit back a groan. “None of this is relevant to our situation. We’ll only be married for three months. You really think I’m going to cheat on you as I’m dying?”

“No,” Eve said, her blue eyes scanning his face closely. “Of course you won’t. He’s just trying to cover all our bases. I won’t cheat either. Obviously.”

Jude was relieved to hear her say that. She didn’t seem like the kind of person who would be unfaithful to her vows, but their marriage wasn’t a traditional one. He wasn’t comfortable insisting that she cut off her own needs when she was doing him such a big favor, but still. It would have gnawed at him if he’d had to wonder whether she was seeing another man while she was married to him.

Eve was visibly thinking now. She got a particular faraway expression when her mind was working on a problem. She had light blue eyes, fair skin, and delicate features. Wavy blond hair that she usually wore loose and that reached halfway down her back. An ethereal kind of prettiness, as if she floated through life barely aware of her physical body.

He’d never had any real sexual interest in her—nothing more than the occasional fleeting awareness that she was indeed an attractive woman—but he’d always liked to look at her. She was different. Interesting. Like an impressionist painting. A challenge to puzzle out.

He would have liked the chance to figure her out more deeply, but they would never have the time.

She met his gaze unexpectedly and appeared surprised at his expression. Her lips parted and her eyes widened, but then she shook away whatever had startled her. “Let’s just say that if either one of us is unfaithful, the marriage ends. There’s no reason to fuss around with the financial consequences or specific scenarios. I already told you I don’t need your money.”

Obviously, Eve would never have any claim to the Gregory estate or family fortune, but Jude’s plan had always been to leave her with the substantial trust fund left to him by his grandfather as well as the rights and royalties from all his books. He had no one else to inherit except his father, and (unlike his dad) at least Eve had read and appreciated his novels. He was sure she could be trusted to make good decisions about what he left behind.

When he’d explained that, she’d objected. She said she’d take care of his books if that was what he wanted, but she wouldn’t take any money. She’d only relented to his terms when her father insisted that being Jude’s wife as he was dying was a significant responsibility—it wasn’t going to be easy—and it was only fair that she was provided for afterward. So she’d reluctantly agreed.

They also agreed that either one of them could end the marriage for any reason before he died, but in that case she would no longer receive any inheritance from him.

The remainder of the prenup was also irrelevant to their situation, so they went through the items quickly, accepting the standard language and terms Carlyle suggested without discussion.

Until finally, at almost eleven, they finished the negotiations. Carlyle said he’d write up the contract immediately and send it to Gina Farris for corrections and approval. By the end of the day, Eve and Jude could sign it and be done.

Jude was relieved the meeting was over.

Eve fell into step with him as they were leaving the office. She didn’t say anything, but that wasn’t unusual for her.

Her quietness was one of her finest qualities.

His headache wasn’t getting better. He rubbed his scalp, hoping to relieve some of the pressure.

“Is your head hurting?” Eve asked when they reached the parking lot. Her voice and her eyes were gentle.

She was feeling sorry for him.

He scowled. “I’m fine.”

“That’s not what I asked you.”

“Yes, my head hurts a little, but it’s fine. I’ve already told you I don’t want any pity.”

She gave him a little eye roll, clearly not appreciating his grumpiness. “You weren’t receiving any pity from me. I was going to ask if you wanted me to take on any of your prewedding tasks so you won’t have such a busy day.”

“No, thanks. You’ve got enough to do. I’ll be fine. I’m heading to the church right now.”

“Okay. I’ll be spending the afternoon picking out a wedding dress and stopping by the florist. I’m not planning to take hours choosing stuff, so just text if you need me to do anything else.”

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