Page 17 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
“You enjoy it?” he asks.
I nod, unable to produce the words to describe exactly how much I enjoy it. “Hmm.”
“Okay, back to it. You had your head of security look into me?” I ask, but I can’t even muster any sternness to put behind it because I’m so absorbed in the flavor of the food.
“Well, as I’ve said before, I had to find out more about my fiancée,” he says, finally taking a bite of his food. It doesn’t look as appetizing as mine, and I’m not going to share.
“Oh right, like I was saying before, you killed my business. Now I can’t make any money, and I have past due bills piling up in my email.”
Okay, it’s one past due bill. Still, one too many.
Why am I saying all of this? Is it the wine? Is there a truth serum in it?
I glance at the bottle, looking around to see if I can spot anything.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Looking for the truth serum. I’m saying way more than I’ve intended to.” He laughs and I look up in surprise.
“If you’re not used to drinking aged wine, it will do that to you. You drink more because it’s a lot smoother,” he says.
I look at my completely empty wine glass.
“And, I think I have the solution to your money predicament.”
This sobers me up. I know what’s coming.
“You’re asking me to be your fiancée again.”
“It seems to be the best solution for both of us. You get the money you need, and I get my mom off my back.”
“Did you plan this? Get me drunk so I would agree to your little scheme?” I reach for the bottle of Petrus, but he swipes it out of my reach.
“I think that’s enough for you. And no, I didn’t plan this. I didn’t know you were going to order that wine.” He sets the wine on the table near him.
“Look, I’m laying it all out on the table. No games, no manipulation. Be my fiancée. I’ll pay for your tuition, bills, whatever needs paying with an additional stipend.”
I sit and stare at him, mulling it over. Truthfully, it does appear to be my only option. No other job will make me as much money as this will. I sigh.
“Fine. I’ll do it.” I say begrudgingly. He smiles, and it seems sincere.
“I’m glad to hear it. We can meet at my office tomorrow at two to sign the contracts.”
I nod in response and he rolls his eyes. “Alright, I’m taking you home. Someone had a little too much wine.”
Chapter Nine
Landon
There’saknockonmy door a quarter past two. I swing the door open, and Hailey is standing in the hall. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and her normally bright round eyes are marked with dark circles.
“I hate you,” she says.
“Looks like someone’s a little hungover.” I chuckle as she trudges over to the loveseat in the corner and throws herself across it.
“This is all your fault. I’m never drinking wine with you again,” she says, and I roll my eyes.
She’s really quite dramatic, but I find that it’s something I like about her. She’s fun to be around, which isn’t something I feel about other people often.
