Page 129 of The Husband Contract
“I don’t know why she’s so mad, but I think Jack may be her exes older brother,” I admit. “I have a feeling he’s not going to be offering us any seed moneyfor this bed and breakfast.” I look at Jack to see if he looks pissed off. He looks back at me, a tight smile on his handsome face.
“I didn’t realize she was your best friend.”
“I didn’t realize that you were related to her ex.” I shake my head and try not to make any rude comments. I liked Jack and didn’t want to admit I despised his brother. “The world sure is small.” I look away because I feel awkward. Jack is Sebastian’s best friend and I want him to like me, but I don’t know how we can ever be friends, knowing he had indirectly hurt Katherine. I look over at Sebastian and he gives me a questioning look. I shake my head in response.
“Everything okay?” He leans forward and whispers and I press my lips together.
“Maybe? I don’t know. This is a complication none of us saw coming.” I sigh. “But I suppose what is life without complications?”
Sebastian squeezes my hand. “I love you. It’ll be okay.”
“I love you too and I hope you’re right. Let me go after Katherine and see if I can figure this out,” I tell Sebastian. “I haven’t seen her this upset in a long time.”
“Yeah, you do that.” He kisses me on the lips. “We’ll be here waiting.”
“Okay, thanks.” I hurry out of the room and find Katherine. She’s trembling as she stands there, Brielle’s arm around her shoulder.
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry, girls. It all came out, and I didn’t expect it, but I hate that man. I’m not asking Jack Heathcliff for a single thing.” She shakes her head. “I hate him. If I ever had an enemy in life, it would be him.”
“I thought he was a nice guy. He even helped me with Sebastian’s situation.”
“I don’t know what he did for you, but that man is the devil.”
She glares at me. “I think about the things he said to hisbrother about me and it makes me so mad. He’s a spoiled rich jerk.”
“Oh boy.” I mumble, not knowing what to say.
“He’s a jackass, and there’s no way I’d ever want to do business with him.”
“So what do we do?” I ask softly. “We need funding to start this bed and breakfast, and we have the plan ready. Can we still at least present?”
Katherine takes a deep breath. “Oh my gosh… have I overreacted? I’m sorry. They’re probably not going to care what I think. Let’s just go in and kill it. Okay?” She nods slowly as if she’s getting on board with this idea. “Ugh. Let’s do it. But I refuse to have anything to do with Jack Heathcliff.”
“Don’t worry,” I assure her. “You won’t have to. If everything goes to plan, I’ll let Sebastian handle the business side of this for us.”
“Wait, what?” Brielle says. “I thought you didn’t want him involved.”
“I mean… not a part of the business, just the funding. A loan or sponsorship, with a contract we’ll pay back. I don’t want him thinking I’m using him for his money.” I smile at their hesitant, yet hopeful expressions. “Don’t worry. I know he won’t think that, but I want you girls to know I’m willing to do that if this doesn’t work out. Either way, we win. Okay?”
“Thank you,” Katherine says softly. “I really appreciate you being willing to do that, even when I know you don’t want to.”
“Hey, we may still get funding from one of the other men,” I say, smiling. “And I’m sorry Jack ruined your last relationship. That sucks. If I’d known… there’s no way I would’ve agreed to this.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t know,” she says with a shrug. “It’s not like he murdered a family member or anything.”
She gasps as she realizes what she said. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry, girl. I know you weren’t saying it because of David or my parents,” I reassure her, rubbing her shoulder. “It’s okay. We’ve got this. I love Sebastian, he loves me, and whatever happens, we’re all one big family. We’re going to make this work. Let’s go back into that boardroom and kill it.”
We march back in, and I’m pleased when they follow me.
“Hey, sorry about that, everyone,” I say brightly, pausing to give Katherine a chance to speak.
She steps forward. “Yeah… sorry. I didn’t mean what I said, but I’m very honest, and unfortunately, I don’t think I want to do business with you,” she says as she points at Jack Heathcliff, “and if that upsets anyone else in the room, I apologize. I have to be honest.”
Jack sits with his arms crossed over his chest, smirking. “I wouldn’t write off my money just yet, Katherine. Let’s hear what you have to say. Maybe Iwillwant to invest.”
She presses her lips together, taking everything in.
