Page 234 of The First Time
The contract stipulates our terms.
Starting today, I am Blake's doting girlfriend. I'll clear my schedule for him whenever he needs me. He gets approval of all my public appearances and social media.
Within the next three months, we'll marry. I'll sign a prenup. He decides when we'll divorce, but it will be by the end of next year. I'll get a million dollars for my trouble.
He'll pay off the mortgage as an advance.
My incidentals go on the credit card. They're to be "reasonable."
But I'm pretty sure Blake's idea of a reasonable allowance ends in a lot of zeros.
No more shitty generic coffee.
No more library books.
No more crappy running shoes.
No more serving rich assholes.
I'll be smiling at them instead. But at least they'll be the ones sucking up to me.
I pick up my cheap Bic pen and I sign on the dotted line.
I'm signing away my freedom.
But I'm getting a hell of a lot in return.
* * *
I put in my two weeks'notice.
I tell Lizzy I'm dating a new guy. A rich guy.
She presses for details, but I keep my lips zipped. I don't know what to tell her. I don't want to lie to my sister. But I need to say something. She needs to know I'm quitting my job because we're set.
I think it over all week.
I fail to come up with a cover story.
Saturday morning, Blake's limo pulls up at nine on the dot.
Thankfully, Lizzy is still asleep. I leave a note on the kitchen table and make my way outside.
It's a beautiful day. Yellow sun. Bright blue sky. Crisp, clear air. The skyline is beautiful. Awake. Alive. Inviting.
Jordan is standing on the stoop. He nods hello. "Nice to see you, Ms. Wilder." He opens the door and motionsafter you.
I slide inside.
Blake is on the opposite bench. He's wearing slacks and a blue, collared shirt. His sleeves are rolled to his elbows.
He almost looks casual. But in an untouchable Blake kind of way.
"Good morning." He nods.
"Good morning." I try to pry my eyes from his forearms, but I fail. God, he really has nice forearms. And I can't bring myself to look him in the eyes. Not after what we did… whatIdid last time I was in this car.
He hands over a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?"
