Page 24 of Great Pretender
“Sure…” At the confirmation of my trust, his eyes brighten, and I can see some scheme forming in his eyes. A scheme I don’t know if I’ll like. “Why? Why, Murray?”
“Her.” He points briefly toward the door. “Piper. Trust me, Chad, she’s a perfect candidate.”
“For what?” I ask like I’m completely stupid, then the realization of what he’s actually saying fucking dawns on me, and I bolt to my feet. “Have you lost your damn mind?”
“No, I can assure you I have not. Chad, please see through the web over your eyes. This is perfect. It couldn’t be more perfect. You couldn’t get a better person than her. You could trust her to play the game, and she would do anything for you.”
“I can’t do that to her. She deserves more than shit like that. I can’t drag her into a problem like this. Damn it.”
Piper comes back in, and this time, only the men are carrying boxes. She walks over to us with a bright smile on her face, and I hope like hell my face doesn’t give me away.
“How are you guys?” she asks.
“Perfect.”
“Cool. I was gonna make some food. Should I cook for everyone?”
“No, baby. How about you go put your feet up, and I’ll cook for you,” I offer, and she looks so grateful I feel like an asshole.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“That would be so nice.”
“I’ll make you some mini pizzas.” I nod, and she stands on the tips of her toes and plants a kiss on my chin.
“Thank you, and for everything else too. I’ll go unpack and put my feet up.” She chuckles then floats away.
When I look at Murray, I know exactly what he’s thinking. Lowering back to my seat, I shake my head.
“It can’t be her.”
“Chad, it would be foolish if it wasn’t her. You two are practically already a couple. It’s more believable for you two to get together than some random person.”
“And you don’t think my father will see through the crock of shit if I tell him we’re suddenly together?” I think he would.
“No, I actually don’t. Besides…” He glances over his shoulder, checking that the coast is clear, then returns his gaze to me. “Don’t think I’m oblivious to the way you look at her. Chad, I’ve known you long enough to know you feel more than friendship for her.”
I want to protest and tell him he’s talking shit. But I’ve never been able to successfully lie to him. Even if I tried, he’d see through it.
“Well, that makes it even worse, now, doesn’t it?”
He looks surprised that I’m not arguing.
“My God, it’s true.”
“Murray, please don’t. I can’t go down that road.”
“Well, trust me, you’re gonna have to because she’s your ticket to success. To getting everything you want. Sweeten the deal, Chad. Work the magic. You’re rich, and she’s just broken up with a prick. She’s staying here. Offer her something.”
He wants me to take advantage of Piper’s situation.
Would it be that per se?
I’d never hurt her.
If I sweetened the deal, I’d make sure she got enough to make it worth her while in every way possible.
