Page 29 of Falling for You Again

“No, but this morning you were wary. Now we can’t get married fast enough.” He grins wryly. “I want to be sure we’re still reading the same book,” he says, repeating back to me what I said to him in bed last night. “Don’t forget, we each want something out of this.”

“You pat my back; I pat yours. It’s a business arrangement. I get it.” I wave both hands. I’m a bundle of jumpy apprehension. I’m talkingmarriage. I’m actually considering marrying him.

“More like a marriage of convenience.”

“Right. Sure.” I can do this. We’ll partner for practical reasons, not because of a genuine connection. Love isn’t the driving force. I won’t have to choose between him and my art. In fact, I’d be doing this for the love of my art, to preserve my family’s legacy.

Which brings up another matter.

“How long do we stay married?” I hadn’t put much thought into it on my way over. But offhand, I anticipate three to four months, six months tops.

Aaron sighs and crosses his arms. “Depends how soon my parents are convinced who I marry doesn’t make a difference. Marrying Fallon won’t bolster the family’s public image any more than marrying you or the barista who makes my Americano every morning.”

I blink. “Thanks? I think.”

He waves off his remark. “It won’t affect how I run the company when I’m promoted. Yes, they want grandkids.” My eyes widen and Aaron gives me a weak smile. “Don’t worry. Charlie and Murphy plan to have several. But more to the point ...” He pauses and his gray eyes meet mine. “My parents can’t influence me through you.”

“Where they can through Fallon?”

His smile is close-lipped. “Fallon and I grew up together. Our moms are best friends. Fallon adores Kaye. She agrees with her on almost everything.”

“Except for you two spending a lifetime together.”

“Fallon’s values are more aligned with my mom’s than mine are. She’d likely give in to pressure to have kids before either of us are ready, and Mom is very good at making her feel guilty for not spending enough time with her or for not following their wishes.”

I make a face at that. His mom sounds a lot like Paul’s mom, Cheryl.

“But,” Aaron says, “for all of Fallon’s faults, she won’t sacrifice her happiness.”

“Nobody should sacrifice their happiness to please someone else.” I look pointedly at Aaron.

“Yes, well.” He glances at the floor. “My mom will do her best to get into Fallon’s head and change her mind once she hears we broke off our engagement. Fallon is a people-pleaser, and Kaye is very good at getting people to do what she wants. That’s why she makes an excellent president.”

My protective instincts flare. “Well, she can’t pressure anyone if you’re already married.” He nods. “So how long, then?”

“A year, maybe two. Three at the most. Does it matter if I can’t give you a definitive answer just yet?”

I crack a knuckle, thinking. Can I commit to three years? It’s a long time considering I promised myself I wouldn’t marry. But this isn’t for love. This is a business venture, one that supports the love of my art. I’m investing in a future I control. But like any agreement, our partnership needs an opt-out.

“I don’t need a definitive answer as long as we agree that when one of us wants out, no matter when or why, we get divorced. No arguments, no trying to change the other person’s mind.”

Aaron’s mouth flattens. “I can do that.”

“We keep everything separate too. Our jobs, money, social life, everything. We leave the marriage with what we came in with. Except Artisant. That’s all mine,” I clarify since I don’t technically own the shop yet.

“I’ll agree to whatever you want, Meli, on one condition.” He raises a finger.

“What’s that?” I ask with a wary lift of my chin.

“You move in.”

“No. No, no, no,” I say, waving my hands in front of me. Marrying for business is one thing. But living together? I’m too attracted to Aaron. He’s too appealing. I don’t trust myself to keep business and pleasure separate. Not that I’m in love with Aaron, but I see myself doing what I had done with Paul, devoting all my spare time, and then some, to Aaron and his family. Or the exact opposite: me spending all my time at work, making myself unavailable to Aaron, which would only frustrate him. This has the potential of becoming a Paul 2.0 relationship.

“Nobody will believe our marriage is legit if we live separately, not my parents, the company, or your uncle,” Aaron says, approaching me until I’m forced to tilt my head to meet his intense gaze. “For all intents and purposes, we need to act like a happily married couple, or my parents will cry bullshit. We have to convince the company and your uncle that any deal between the Savant House and Artisant Designs is a conflict of interest, that acquiring Artisant’s talent—that being you—breaches Savant’s nonfraternization policy and rings of nepotism.”

“Just so we’re clear, how do you expect us to act happily married?”

“Apart from moving in, you’ll accompany me to some events. It could be dinner at my mom’s or a corporate function. Lunch with a colleague and their partner. Whatever comes up. A little bit of public affection might be required when the occasion calls for it.” His cheeks redden when he says this.

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