Page 80 of Of Pranks and Passion

When I looked at Easton, he looked disgruntled, but less like he was going to bite his dad’s head off. “Fine. But in exchange, you drop the bullshit about the prenup.”

“Easton,” Mr. Warner hissed. “I’m just looking out for you. Not that I think Gary would use you, but–”

“Gary wouldn’t ever do that. He spent his whole life being used by his family. He won’t do that to someone else.”

I flinched automatically. I didn't think that’d be brought up. And it made Mr. Warner stiffen and frown. I ducked my head, avoiding eye contact with the intimidating man. Would he double down about not letting this happen because I didn’t come from a good family?

Mr. Warner was quiet for a moment before offering another compromise. “How about this? The prenup will only cover your inheritance. Everything else, you can share how you want. That way, it is not just your assets that will be protected, but also mine.”

I didn’t have a problem with that. I didn’t want any of Easton’s money. I almost wanted to admit this wasn’t real, so he didn’t have to worry, but…it felt real. Easton’s steady presence beside me never wavered. He made it feel like we were actually fighting for the wedding we wanted.

This man was dangerous for my heart. One more sweet gesture, and I’d never recover if he left me. He was tying me to him so thoroughly, I didn’t know if I could ever let go.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

EASTON

I never plannedon touching the inheritance, so I relented on the stupid idea of a prenup. Mostly to help Gary. He was squeezing my hand so hard it actually hurt, and he looked stressed enough to start crying.

“Fine. And you can pay for the wedding planner. I’m not setting that shit up to fit in with your social group.”

My old man nodded once. “I can agree to that. I still have the contact information for the man who coordinated Arthur’s and Sierra’s weddings. Is there a timeframe in mind? Once you finish school, perhaps?”

“What’s your schedule look like this summer?”

It surprised him, but not as much as it surprised Gary. He jerked to face me, wide-eyed, and spluttered out, “Are you insane?”

“You already know the answer to that,” I pointed out with a smirk.

He threw his hands into the air, exasperated. “We have school, you know? I can’t take time off. I’ll lose my scholarship.”

I lifted a shoulder, unfazed. “You’re not going to be planning most of it anyway. Focus on school. The wedding planner will handle it.”

And maybe after this stupid one-on-one meeting with Gary’s family, the wedding planner could keep the stupid sister off my back.

Pretty sure Gary was only brought in here to keep me calm. He wasn’t really part of the conversation. My old man and I went back and forth on dates before finally settling on a date in June, after school was out. He was going to set it up with the wedding planner, and he’d get back to me later, so I figured the conversation was done. I got up to leave and dragged Gary with me, but the old man stopped me before I could leave his office.

“Easton. A minute, please?”

Gary looked uneasy, which was fair. I didn’t handle shit well yesterday. It was easier to cope knowing I wouldn’t be losing him after all this was over. We were in a relationship now, one that I could be part of without wanting to gag and that wasn’t changing after this thing was through.

I jerked my chin down the hallway. “Go. If I have to talk wedding details with Victoria, I’ll lose my mind. You do it for me.”

Gary snorted, but his smile faltered when he looked back at my dad. I gave him a little push, trying to be as reassuring as possible when I nodded at him. “I’m good. Go.”

He wandered off, hopefully not getting lost along the way. It wasn’t that complicated, but this place was a maze, so I sent a text to Jayden to find him if he didn’t get there in two minutes before joining my old man again.

“You’re different with him,” he said, his expression more curious than accusing.

“He’s different,” I shrugged. “He trusts me. Like whole heartedly. It means something to me.”

He nodded like he understood. “And his family?”

I scowled, which was answer enough, but I didn’t want to tip off the old man about the ruse. “Pretty sure he still wants them there. I don’t like them, but that’s not saying much.” I didn’t like most people. But I especially didn’t like Gary’s parents, who used him and treated him like a servant to his sister.

“Do you think they’ll be a problem? Do we need to protect the two of you?”

That surprised me. I expected more bullshit about protecting me from Gary. Not the both of us together.

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