Page 17 of Marry Me, Right Now

“That sounds good. I’ll make sure that there is lots of white in the wine fridge for you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You just assume that since it’s girls night, it’s a white wine situation?”

“Yes. That’s what I assume.” I stuck out my tongue until she giggled. There was a definite magnetic pull between us that was tricky to ignore.

She thrust her bottom lip out in a gorgeous pout. “Fine. Just sit there being right all the time.”

M I A

>

THE LAWYER

I still couldn’t believe that Jacob needed me to come with him to the lawyer’s, but he insisted. Sam Howe seemed like a nice fatherly man with salt and pepper hair, who quickly ushered us into his posh dark wood office,. We settled in front of his gigantic desk as he handed me a huge stack of papers. Jacob seemed completely comfortable, as if he’d been coming here for years.

“Do you want your own lawyer to go over these?” Sam asked me.

I tried not to roll my eyes. “Do you actually think I have a lawyer?”

“I’d gladly pay for one, if you’d like your own,” Jacob offered.

“That’s a waste,” I said automatically. “Um, I guess my only question is, am I at any risk here? If I mess up, I’m not going to owe millions in penalties or fines?” I tried to sound light, but the terror of this much money was kicking in hard. I could feel my shoulders starting to twitch from nerves.

Jacob placed his hand in the center of my back, and I nearly laughed as he began gently rubbing light circles. “No penalties. The worst thing that could happen to you would be if you quit, and I’d have to request the return of any assets like cars or expensive jewelry.”

I nodded. That seemed more than fair.

“But,” he continued, “Did you read the section about termination? If you outright quit, I get to publicly blame you for the whole thing, to try to save face with my family. Which I would never want to do,” he added quickly. “And I don’t think it would come to that. I’m sure we can stick it out for the year.”

“One year and one month,” Sam said quietly.

“And what would happen to you if we don’t make it?” I asked hesitantly. This stuff was seriously scaring me, but his hand against my thin shirt was comforting me enough that I felt okay asking.

He looked uncomfortable. “I might lose my uncle’s inheritance, the house would go to George, and there is a chance I might be publicly shamed to the point where I had to step down as CEO.”

My mouth fell open. “Holy shit,” I squeaked.

“Yeah. But that’s not for you to worry about.” He let go of my back to take my hand and give it a little reassuring shake. “That part isn’t your business. I’m asking so much of you that I don’t want to add to your worries. Your only job is to play the part of the fabulous fiancée and wife to the very best of your ability.”

Sam nodded. “I’m sure there will be some stress over the wedding, since it has to happen before the tenth.”

We both turned to him. “What?” Jacob said, stunned.

Sam pulled out a sheaf of papers from another folder. “I thought that you’d read these. The time allotment for the asset settlements is September tenth.”

“What day of the week is that?” I asked, hearing my voice raising to nearly a cartoon pitch.

“Monday.”

I turned to Jacob, who looked back at me, worried. “Well, the date is set then. We’re getting married Sunday, September ninth.”

“Is that too soon?” he asked, his eyes strained with worry.

I nodded. “We’ll work our asses off, get it done, and take the next week off to recover. We can do it.”

“I love that you’re so determined,” he said, obviously relieved.

“Once the invitations are sent out and the date looks official,” Sam said, “I can have the real estate agent who has been maintaining the property talk to you about the house. A weekly caretaker is maintaining the property now, but I can have them allow you access for a detailed look at the current condition, to begin planning the proper upgrades next year.”

---