Page 16 of All Bets Are Off

I blinked. Then I blinked again. Then I shoved the daiquiri away from me. I was obviously hammered to think he’d said what I thought he’d said. “What?”

He laughed at my response, his hand going to the back of his neck to rub. “Man, why am I so sweaty? This is weird.”

“You’re high is what you are,” I fired back. “There’s no way I’m marrying you. Why would you even suggest that?”

“It wouldn’t be a real marriage.”

That was both a relief and a kick to the gut. I managed to hold it together anyway. “Why would I want to fake marry you?”

“Because we both need something.”

“And what do I need?” The question came out before I realized how filthy it likely sounded. His flirty grin told me he hadn’t missed it. “Don’t.” I extended a warning finger.

Zach wrapped his hand around it and looked deep into my eyes. “You need insurance for your dental work. The Stone Group happens to have the best insurance in the city.”

The molar that had been aching seconds before did a cartwheel of excitement, and I cringed. “My brother told you that?” I was going to kill him. My dental work—something I was sensitive about for reasons even I couldn’t explain—was my business. It wasn’t Zach’s business.

“He brought it up after a meeting I had with my father.”

“What sort of meeting?”

Zach took a deep breath. “Apparently, I’m the family screwup.”

“I can see that,” I said, not missing a beat.

He made a face. “My father is insisting that I date appropriate women. Now, I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean, but I’m fairly certain that showgirls are off the menu.”

I snorted. “How is that my fault?”

“I’m not in the mood to date. I’m trying to figure certain things out. My father isn’t going to get off my case unless I bring home a respectable woman.”

“And that’s me?” How could he be so nonchalant about this?

“Yup.”

“Um … I don’t want to be your respectable woman.”

“And I’m not suggesting a true marriage.”

For some reason, the way he phrased it bugged me. “Just sex and cake?” I assumed.

He smirked. “Just your presence at a few Stone Group parties and your signature on a piece of paper.”

“Why would you possibly want that?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know what I want. My father is trying to box me into a corner before I’m ready to commit to something, and I need a bit of breathing room.”

“And that’s what I am? Breathing room?” That was possibly very offensive. Or maybe it was a compliment. I actually couldn’t tell.

“I’ve known you forever. There’s nothing romantic between us. My father might be surprised but won’t question it if I say we got married.”

“How do you figure I’m an ‘appropriate’ partner?” I used air quotes so he wouldn’t be confused.

“You’ve always had your shit together, Livvie. I’m best friends with your brother. You can use my insurance to have whatever you want done with your teeth.” He cocked his head. “They look fine to me, though.”

My hand immediately went to my cheek, to where the molar ached. “Don’t worry about my teeth.”

“It’s just an arrangement,” Zach said. “It benefits us both. My father will get off my case … at least a little … and you won’t have to worry about suddenly becoming homeless.”

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