Page 27 of A Win-Win Situation

As I descend the last flight of stairs, I see him standing by the elevator, waiting for me,I think. He’s wearing a pair of slacks with his white shirt tucked into them. His blazer is folded neatly over the crook of his elbow, making him appear like the businessman he is.

The elevator door opens and a family of five steps out. From a distance, it looks like Lucas’ shoulders relax.

Is he nervous?

As I approach him, he looks up, his eyes widening just a fraction. I can't help but notice how handsome he looks with his dark hair neatly styled and his sharp jawline perfectly outlined. His eyes are a deep brown, almost the color of melted dark chocolate, and they seem to be studying me intently. He doesn’t smile, instead he looks me up and down. A smile now and thenwould brighten up his features. But no, he has to look all serious and judgy. I look down at my outfit and feel the heat of a blush creeping up my neck, suddenly self-conscious under his gaze.

"Good evening, Leora," he says in a deep voice that makes goosebumps appear across my whole body.

"Good evening, Lucas," I answer in the same formal tone.

"Shall we?" He raises his arm towards the exit. I fall into step beside him, feeling my nerves start to fray.

Are we doing this?

Is this happening?

Shouldit be happening?

We walk in silence; the only sound is our feet hitting the ground. I try to gather my thoughts, but my mind is a jumbled mess. We reach the café and he leads me to a cozy table at the end of the outdoor seating area. He pulls my chair out for me, ensuring I’m comfortable before he takes his seat across from me.

John would never.

"Mr. Ayoub, welcome!" The young waitress looks surprised to see him but she hides it well under a sweet smile. "Can I get you started with anything to drink?"

We both place our orders—Lucas opting for a black coffee, even though it’s in the evening, and I opt for a cappuccino. As our drinks arrive, we settle in for a conversation that will change my life forever

"What are your conditions?" he says after he takes a sip from his cup.Straight to the point, I see.

I square my shoulders, taking a deep breath before launching into the weighty conversation ahead.

ELEVEN

LUCAS

She’s striking.

I don’t know what it is about her, but there’s something hidden beneath her infuriating layers—like a buried treasure waiting to be discovered, and as much as I despise it, I’m already prepared with a shovel.

I still can’t wrap my head around why she agreed to this. I get that the job is enticing, and great for experience, but to marry a stranger for it? I don’t quite believe it. There’s something she wants—money I suppose, but then again, why would that bother me? I’m the one whoneedsher, and we would be paying whomever agreed to this proposal anyway.

It leaves me feeling confused and unsure of what to do next. There's a part of me that wants to get closer to her, to unravel the mystery of who she is, but there's another part that warns me to be careful. I can't let my guard down; we are here to agree on conditions to make this marriage as clear as possible—that’s it.

She sips her coffee carefully, as if every sip needs to be savored and foam clings to her full lips. My eyes are glued to her, watching as she gently licks it away. An unexplained sensation sparks within me as her eyelids flutter closed, lost in the taste of it. I watch her closely, captivated by the moment.

Her brown hair is up in a tight ponytail, showcasing her beautiful face. As I observe closely, I notice a tiny, perfectly round birthmark over her right eyebrow.

Her hairstyle accentuates how long her hair is, probably long enough to wrap around my fist twice and those eyes . . . I have to stop myself before the heat in my body rushes south. Those thoughts will have to take a backseat—for now.

I take a deep breath, preparing myself for what's to come. After all, this is just a means to an end. If she agrees, we’ll keep it civil, and I’ll have to keep her at arm’s length.

"What are your conditions?"

She swallows before she speaks. "Right to the chase—I like it." A nervous smile spreads across her face. When I don’t answer, she clears her throat. "I want it written in the contract that another job, at this level, will be waiting for me back home when this whole thing is over. It doesn’t have to be in the hospitality business, but a job nonetheless. I know you have contacts."

I respect that. "I’ll do my best."

"No. I don't want you to do your best. I want you to do it without fail. If you can’t find me one, I want to keep this one, working remotely until you find me another one."

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