Page 26 of A Win-Win Situation

"Are you serious, Sophie? How can you even entertain the idea of Leora marrying someone for a job?"

Sophie raises her eyebrows. "I'm not saying it's a perfect solution, but let's be practical here. Leoraneedsa job, and this is a good opportunity. And who knows, maybe they'll even fall in love."

Fall in love. WithLucas? Unlikely.

That man seems to walk around with a stick up his ass and I’m not going to be the one who pulls it out.

Adeline scoffs. "Oh please, stop romanticizing everything. This is a business arrangement, nothing more and Leora shouldn't have to compromise her values just to get ahead."

Oh.

Sophie rolls her eyes. "Adeline, stop being so bitter. You’re supposed to be the romantic one, and not everyone has theluxury of turning down job offers left and right. This is a great job. She would have to work for at least three years back home before she would be offered a job at this level."

"I writefiction, which isn’t this. Accepting a job offer is one thing, but marrying someone for a job is another," Adeline retorts.

"Guys, please . . ." I try to interject, but they don’t seem to hear me anymore. It’s starting to piss me off that they’re talking about me like I’m not sitting right next to them.

"And what happens when the job ends, after the one year mark? She'll be stuck in a fake marriage with a stranger!"

Sophie rolls her eyes again. "It's not like she's signing her life away. If it doesn't work out, they can just get divorced."

Adeline shakes her head in disbelief. "I can't believe you're being so cavalier about marriage. It's a serious commitment."

"I know it's a serious commitment," Sophie retorts, "but she has an out if she wants one."

"Guys, please stop. I appreciate your concern, but ultimately it's my decision to make."

Adeline stands up and walks a few steps before she faces me again. "The only thing we know about this guy is that he has an office at this hotel, that he parties and likes to turn down beautiful girls at clubs before putting blondes on his lap. Is that what you want, Leora?" she snaps. I feel a sting of hurt at Adeline’s words, but I try not to let it show.

"Would it make you feel better if I told you that I’ve looked him up?" I respond defensively. "He actually seems like a good guy. I'll show you." I quickly pull out my phone and show them what I spent the day doing. After our meeting, I went back to our room and started researching like my life depended on it—I guess it sort of does.

"His full name is Lucas Christian Ayoub.He’s thirty-four years old and has a younger brother named Liam, who’s alsovery handsome," I add before continuing. "Their parents passed away in a horrible car accident when they were kids. According to the article I read, Lucas had been in the car with them but he didn’t suffer any major injuries. Then they were adopted by their uncle." I have to admit that it broke me when I read about his parents, and in a way—not that I’m excusing his rude behavior—it made me understand him a little bit more.

"That's awful. Poor kids," Sophie murmurs in a compassionate tone, her hand gently pressed against her heart. As I glance at Adeline, I notice her eyes widening with empathy, a soft frown forming on her face in response to the heartbreaking news.

I pause, allowing the information to settle, then share, "He later got his MBA from Cambridge University, and his uncle has been training him to take over ever since. "

But that wasn't all I found out.

"Okay, so he has a degree. Good," Adeline comments.

"Lucas is also heavily involved in multiple children's charities, something that really caught my attention. He started his own charitable organization to help orphaned children—allowing him to provide assistance to kids who are facing the same challenges he once did." It's a full-circle moment and it’s incredible. So incredible, it’s hard to believe that Lucas, 'Mr. Ice Block,' has a heart.

I look up from my phone to see Adeline and Sophie studying the screen intently.

Adeline's face relaxes a bit.

"I know it sounds insane, but I have a good feeling about this. And there's one more thing," I add. "He’s half Lebanese. I thought you'd appreciate that."

Adeline softens more at this revelation. "Well, I guessed that when I heard his last name."

I smile at her, relieved that I finally found a positive angle to the situation. "So, what do you think? Do you think I should go for it?"

Adeline opens her mouth to speak, but before she can say anything, Sophie stops her. "No more arguing, Addie.”

They share a look and Adeline takes a step down, telling me that she’s only worried about me but that she will support any decision I make. She also adds that she will cut off Lucas’s balls if he tries anything, which I agree to let her do. With that, we all settle into our seats on the balcony, the tension in the air slowly dissipating. Sophie pops open a bottle of the champagne we love from the hotel, and we cheer for new opportunities.

As soon asthe clock strikes five p.m., I get dressed in a pair of jeans-shorts, a white t-shirt, and my sneakers before I head down to meet Lucas.

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