Page 13 of Somehow You Knew

Gage shakes his head. “She’s giving us a guilt trip from beyond the grave.” He turns to me, and this time, I meet his gaze. “Don’t you think?”

When our eyes lock, something in my chest tightens.

How does he not remember me?

How can I still feel this pull toward him now that I know who he is?

And how the hell am I supposed to make this decision right now?

I clear my throat and turn back to face Timothy. “Do we have time to think about it?”

Timothy drops his eyes to the paperwork. “Yes. She said you have one week to decide.”

Gage straightens. “And if we don’t do it?”

“The money goes to COPD research.”

Gage claps his hands once and then throws them up in the air. “Done! Let them have it.” He moves to stand, but I reach out and grab his forearm. This money could be life-changing for both of us, and I can’t just let the possibility of changing mine and my family’s futures slip away that easily.

“Wait!” Our eyes lock again.

“Come on. It’s an easy decision, Spitfire.”

My nose wrinkles. “Spitfire?”

Gage slowly returns to his seat with a smirk on his lips. “Yeah, that’s what my aunt always called you.”

I don’t get a chance to respond because Timothy cuts me off. “What if you got married, survived the six months, and then still donated to the COPD research?”

I turn back to him. “You honestly think we should do this?”

He shrugs. “Look, like you said, it’s life-changing money. Plus, Diane was insistent that you two actually think about this before making a rash decision.”

Gage pinches the bridge of his nose. “I swear to God…”

“There’s one more condition,” Timothy adds hesitantly. “You two would have to live together for the duration of the marriage.”

Gage lets out a slow exhale, staring at the ceiling like he’s praying for patience.

“I need time,” I say quietly. “I know this is crazy, but I really do feel we should think about this.”

He turns to me, eyes narrowing slightly. “We’re talking about getting married here, Spitfire.”

“It’s only six months. Hell, I’ve endured much worse thanyou.” I straighten my spine. “I knowIcan handle it for five million dollars, but if you’re too scared…”

Gage scoffs. “You thinkI’mthe one who’s gonna be the pain in the ass?”

Leaning in, I lower my voice, “I’mpositivethat you’ll be the worst part of it, especially given this act you’re putting on. But we owe it to your aunt.”

I sit back, watching how Gage’s eyes dip to my lips. Addressing Timothy again, I say, “You’re right. We can still donate to COPD research in her honor. That amount of money is insane, Gage…”

“You could open up your own tattoo shop,” Timothy interjects, pulling Gage’s attention to him.

“Huh?”

Timothy taps the desk in front of him. “I was supposed to say that to help convince you.” He winks. “Diane said you’ve always dreamed of owning your own shop.”

She told me he was a tattoo artist, and now our first encounter makes a little more sense. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.

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