Page 91 of Tangled Kisses
Thank the Gods. No way could I sit through this woman waxing poetic about Griffin’s bedroom talents.
“But I’m concerned about him. Always have been.” She sets her glass down, her fingernail tapping the stem. “He showed me his business proposal a couple of weeks back.”
Just like that, the puzzle pieces snap together, forming a clear picture.
I shake my finger at her. “You’rethatwoman. The one he went away with for the weekend.”
“That’s me.”
Time to shift into cheerleader mode. “He’s very talented. I don’t know if you’ve ever visited the ranch, but he built a patio and pergola that rivals any botanical garden. Truly stunning.”
Her eyes crinkle at my words. “I saw photos of it, and you’re right. He knows his stuff. His business plan was meticulous, down to the last detail.”
Propping my chin in my hand, I fix her with an intense stare. “But? I know there’s a but in there.”
Lauren purses her lips and nods, wincing with guilt. “Unfortunately, there is. I have the funds to back his business, but the contracting industry is volatile. I worry Griffin won’t have enough work here to stay afloat. That wouldn’t be a problem where I live, however.”
My pulse kicks up, sensing this conversation is about to take a dangerous turn into uncharted waters. “Where is that?”
“I live outside Portland. Heavily populated for Oregon, at least, and there is a lot of money in that area.” She swirls her wine in slow circles, her gaze fixed on the glass instead of me.
“Portland is so far away.” I murmur the words more for myself than for her benefit.
How often will I see Griffin if he’s a few hours from me? Especially if he’s starting a new business.
The answer? Not nearly enough.
“Honestly,” Lauren continues after a beat, “I told him we should make a deal with each other.”
“A deal?”
She laughs softly, words tumbling faster now. “Yes. I fund his business and he marries me. That way, I never have to walk into another gala or board meeting alone and he’d have all the capital he needs, plus access to my contact list. Then, once his business flourishes, he could expand into other cities if he wanted. Tangled Vines included.”
The room tilts at her words, but she’s not done.
Her hand waves wildly as she continues listing all the perks of her plan. “I’ve got this enormous house in Portland which sits empty, save for me and my dog. It makes sense, doesn’t it? And well, who knows? Friendships have turned into love before. Maybe we could keep each other company in more ways than one. Stranger things have happened, right? Personally, I think it’s a win-win situation.”
And with that, Lauren douses my dreams in gasoline and sets them ablaze.
She offers me a small, almost hopeful smile, like she expects me to agree.
But I’m too busy burning alive to respond.
Lauren’s eyes widen suddenly, a flush creeping up her neck. “Oh, listen to me babbling. I shouldn’t have just dumped all that on you.”
But the damage is already done. My heart jackhammers against my ribs, each word replaying like a cruel echo.
Marry me. Live with me. Win-win.
Meanwhile, I sit here forcing positivity while inside, I’m unraveling thread by thread.
“Tangled Vines is a growing area,” I mutter, feeling oddly protective of the small town I didn’t know existed two months ago. “It may not be Portland, but people are moving here, investing here. He could build something real. How much is he looking for, anyway?”
Lauren sips her wine, her gold bracelet catching the light. “Two hundred and fifty thousand to start.”
My stomach drops. For one wild, desperate second, I prayed it might be five or ten thousand. Something I could scrape together, write a check, shove into Griffin’s hands, and send Lauren on her merry way.
But this dollar amount? It’s Everest.
