Page 44 of Boyfriend Maintenance

“What? How? You’re thirty-one. You’ve been drawing on that thing for six years. You can’t just lose it. Can you?”

“Well, since Dad is the trustee on it, he can always change the rules of it. He was very, very adamant about me marrying. When I was unable to find any prospects, he pushed Darcy my way. Well, Kitty did.”

“I think that’s stupid. But I doubt you lose your trust. Maybe you’ll just be the black sheep for a little while.” I smile ruefully. “Maybe taking the heat off me for a bit? Eh?”

“Doubt it. As long as you refuse the family money, you’ll always be the black sheep. But I’ll see what I can do.” He’s always looked out for me.

“Thanks, big brother.”

“So, you want to tell me about that whole mess with Jake?” He’s apparently done talking about his issues.

My turn to sigh, I pull off the Band-Aid. “As you guessed the other night, I hired Jake to be my boyfriend for the duration of the wedding events. The whole mess came about when you spilled the beans about how I had no money.”

“I suspected there was something fishy between the two of you, but never expected you’d hire a boyfriend. Jesus, Emmy.” While he looks confused, he doesn’t look disgusted with me. That’s a plus.

“I know, it’s one of the crazier things I’ve done.”

“Yeah, right up there with walking away from a multimillion-dollar trust fund.” He snorts.

I just nod, defeated.

“So, you hire this guy to be your fake date and tell him you’re going to pay him when you don’t have any money? So, this whole thing is about money?”

“Kinda.”

“Then I say good riddance, if he’s all up in arms about money, he isn’t worth it. Be glad it’s fake.”

My shoulders sag. “I said it was kind of about the money. Mostly, it was because I lied to him about having the money. I let him think I had it all, and he didn’t much like being lied to.”

Levi studies me for a few moments.

I focus on my fingers in my lap, picking at my nails.

“So, this wasn’t fake, was it?” His tone is soft and concerned.

“No, I don’t think so. I think we both started to have feelings for each other. So, the fact that I lied about not being rich made things feel fake again.” My eyes remain focused on my lap.

“Well, does he want you to have money ornothave money?” Levi reaches out and grabs my hands, stopping me from ruining my home-done manicure.

I lift my face to him. “I think he feels relieved that I don’t have all that money, but he still doesn’t think we are meant to be, so he’s done.” I don’t tell him that Jake snuck out after sex. That’s just not something you tell your brother. Levi squeezes my hands before letting them go.

“So, I have to ask. How much are you supposed to pay him?”

I mumble the amount, looking back down at my hands.

“I’m sorry, you’re going to have to speak up.”

“I said fifteen thousand.”

“What? Are you shitting me right now?” He’s leaning toward me now, wide-eyed with shock.

“No, I’m not. But now that there’s no more wedding, I need to pay up. Unfortunately, I don’t have the money yet. I was due for a bonus next month. Combine that with what I have in savings and I’d have just enough to pay him.”

“Paying him now means you don’t have the money.” Levi sighs in understanding.

“Bingo.” I offer him a sad smile.

“Shit, little sister. How did you get yourself into this mess? You’re telling me a fake date was worth fifteen grand all for what? A few dates around the family?”

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