Page 3 of Fake Married to the Grumps

“This isn’t a joke, Ethan,” I continue, slightly irritated that he would make light of my question. He’s never been one to take any situation seriously.

I see none of that has changed.

“It’s not a joke,” he finally answers. “Hart Holdings will merge with Sunny Aerospace and take on all your burdens and lawsuits. We’ll make everything go away. It’s that easy.”

He uses the same line my brother used, and that makes me suspect there’s more to this proposal of his.

“You put this thought in Tom’s head, didn’t you?” I lift my chin to meet his gaze defiantly while he shrugs in response. “Well, what’s the catch?”

“Who says there’s a catch?” he answers almost immediately, reminding me that he never lets me or anyone get the upper hand in a deal. He’s a businessman, one with a reputation in our world as strong-willed and determined.

Part of his charm is his charisma, and it draws me to him like a magnet.

“There’s always a catch with you, isn’t there?” I reply in the same tempo. My pulse skips a beat when he shakes his head and smiles.

“I see you’ve not lost your knack for doubting me, Nelly.”

As we stare at each other, it’s like the world around us evaporates, and there’s a tightening in the knot at the base of my stomach. Heat creeps up the back of my neck when his eyes flicker over mine and settle on my lips. I know my flush will spread to my face soon, so I turn away from him and walk to my office’s window.

Standing with my back to him is easier, but the relief I gain from his presence doesn’t last long because the thud of his footsteps gets louder and I spin around to find him heading towards me.

“Tom and I talked about it, and we think it’s best for Sunny Aerospace to merge with someone who’ll be fair to you. I’m that guy, Nelly, because unlike the other hungry businesses out there planning a hostile takeover, I’m your friend. I'll make sure you're compensated fairly, and, as a bonus, I will still let you operate autonomously.”

“Really? You’re my friend? That’s all it takes to have you merge with a company that’s about to go under? And you’ll even let me remain in control?”

I chuckle sarcastically, and Tom finally breaks out of his prolonged silence. “Come on, Nelly, just hear us out,” he says, waving a hand towards me. “Ethan wants to help. Mom and Daddidn’t leave me the company, but it doesn’t mean I want to see all their hard work go down the drain either.”

I meet his pleading eyes, and he gently adds. “Just hear out his plan? There’s no catch.”

“Actually, there is,” Ethan cuts in.

“My thoughts exactly,” I retort, crossing my arms.

“Wait, what?” Tom blurts, a frown etching slowly into his features as he faces his friend. “What are you talking about? You didn’t mention wanting anything in return when we discussed this.”

“Well, I’m sorry buddy, but I really need this,” Ethan replies, then glances towards me.

I roll my eyes. Knowing Ethan had something up his sleeves isn’t shocking. I don’t trust him one bit and it’s safe to say I don’t like him either.“Let’s hear it then,” I say, arching one brow. “What do you get in exchange for merging with Sunny Aerospace?”

“You,” Ethan announces, and a thick blanket of silence covers the room before he adds. “You are going to be my wife, Nelly.”

“What are you talking about?”

Chapter 2

Ethan

“What do you mean getting married to Nelly?” Tom asks and strides over to me to stop me from moving any closer to Nelly. “You said you were willing to merge with no strings attached. You told me you wanted to help!”

“I know what I said,” I say to Tom. “And I mean it when I said I want to help Sunny Aerospace. You two are family to me, and I can’t let your parents’ company go under when I can help, but I’ll need this in return.”

Nelly laughs again and interrupts anything else I’m about to say and I turn to find her clutching her sides, laughter quaking through her.

“Me and you?” She points a finger at me. “You and me? Married? That’s insane.”

“Not that insane,” I answer, combing my fingers through my hair and letting out a deep sigh. Nelly erupts in a sarcastic laugh, and the sound creates a tingle inside me, sparking something alive. The sensation is one I’ve never felt before.

I haven’t seen Nelly in five years, and she looks different—better than I remember. Her blonde hair is longer, cascading down her back in waves that make my fingers itch to touch it.

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