Page 78 of Marry Me, Right Now

He nodded, thinking. “My mother is on a lot of charity committees…” He held up his hand as I began to open my mouth. “I’m not suggesting you work with her,” he laughed. “But she would know if anyone really needed some help right now.”

“But most of those sorts of groups would be filled with people like your mom.”

“So?”

“So I’d feel out of place, being the only one out of the loop.”

“So get into the loop.”

I didn’t have the energy to explain to him that I couldn’t just pick up on years of being spoiled, and pretend I belonged with those people. Then I was hit with a thought that was almost a punch to the chest. I really had to stop thinking of ‘those people’ as if I wasn’t included. I gave my head a shake.

“Is there anything at your company where you need any help? Choosing art maybe?”

“Sorry. We redecorated last year.”

We both sipped our water in comfortable silence while we thought.

“I guess I could start researching my career path, but I’m not sure if I should be working steady hours right now when you might need me for wifely duties.”

Jacob stared out the window for a moment, looking so gorgeous and dreamy in the softening light that it was actually physically difficult for me to not jump up and kiss him. Holding back from being with him for the rest of the year was going to be the biggest challenge of all.

He turned to me with a grin. “You said that some of your friends were great artists and musicians, and it’s a shame that they didn’t have more support. What if you supported them?”

“How do you mean?”

“You’ve said that showing up for your friend’s shows gives them a boost – just that they know you care. What if you were, I don’t know what you’d call it, but sort of a booster? A cheerleader? You have money now. You could help with posters and get merch printed for the bands. Get fancy invitations for the art openings. Make really nice programs and posters for indie theatre events. Put real ads on local websites.”

My jaw fell open. “I... I would love that. But it would really cut into my portion of the money, and if it’s to last me….”

“No way,” he cut me off. “You’re my wife for the year, and no matter what it costs, I guarantee it would be less than any other wife would spend during the first year of marriage since you don’t want to redecorate.”

“Are you serious?”

His eyes were blazing with joy at being able to help me, which was so sweet that I felt myself blushing slightly. “Absolutely.” He grinned saucily. “If you like, we can buy you a less than top of the line car to compensate.”

I stared at him, aghast. “You’re not buying me a car at all.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t need one. I walk everywhere. And you’ve set me up with that car service, so if I did need a lift now and then, that’s fine.”

“Okay then. Wife, I demand that you spend the amount of a fancy car on all of your friends and acquaintances creative endeavors.” His phoney pompous to

ne was so hilarious that I shook with laughter.

“That’s going to be the only order from you I ever obey.” Taking his hand, I gave it a squeeze. “Thank you, Jacob. Really.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he chuckled. “And now you can be my connection to the indie arts scene, and tell me about events I should go to.”

“In the front row, of course.”

“Naturally.”

I stared into my water glass, processing. “I could get artists from different disciplines to help each other. Form a collective. Strength in numbers, and bring all of their friends and fans into the circle.”

Jacob slipped a pen from his pocket and set it on a napkin in front of me, waiting patiently while I scribbled ideas.

I’d run many projects over the years, from artsy websites to fundraisers to cabarets. But I’d never started a real business. On the other hand, I was used to making things happen with no budget and no connections to people who were the movers and shakers.

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