Page 7 of Staying for Her

Her eyes glint in understanding and I smile.

“I always knew I was different. I always knew that I wanted more out of life than yachts, country clubs, and golf. I wanted to work, get my hands dirty, and create something out of nothing. That was my dream, but according to my parents, I had to go by their rules or else.”

“Seems like a catch-22.”

I tilt my head, confused.

“You have the world at your fingertips, enough money to do anything you want yet to do that you have to sacrifice yourself and your well-being to get it. Seems like a nightmare.”

I stand there, stock-still because never in my life has anyone understood what it was like growing up in that house. Everyone, including Mark, always assumed that my life was pristine because I came from money. That it was easier and less stressful because I could, in their eyes, do whatever I wanted at the drop of a hat. Yet here I stand in front of a woman I’ve only known for less than twenty-four hours and she gets it.

“It was hell, so when I turned eighteen I went to my lawyer and asked for my inheritance, thinking it would be my ticket out. Little did I know that money would be the beginning of even more drama.”

“Money always is,” Billie mutters, a sad smile on her face, and I nod. “So what happened when you got to the bank?”

“I was told the terms of my inheritance were changed. I had to finish college in order to get my money.” The memory of that day is ingrained in my mind as I head over to the fridge and get myself a glass of water and down it in just a few seconds.

“Let me guess, after you finished college there was another stipulation.”

I nod, the anger growing the more the memory surfaces. “After I graduated, I went straight to my lawyer’s office only to be told that an amendment was made. That now in order to get the money, I had to be married.”

Billie’s intake of breath is enough to make me smile because at least I know I’m not the only one that was that shocked.

“Are you serious?” she whispers, her eyes the size of saucers as they peer up at me in dismay. “Who would do that to their child?” she wonders, and I agree with every single word.

I’ve asked myself that question daily for the past seven years.

“So what was the call about? You seemed angry and from the way you’re talking, you came to terms with that stipulation a long time ago.”

I nod. The hatred I have for my mother at this moment is almost palpable.

“I did come to terms with the fact that when or if I got married, I would get that money. It was always there in the future, but after today—” I break off, my head falling back as I close my eyes and try to get the words out. “Today my mother told me she changed the terms again.”

“What the fuck? What could she possibly do that she hasn’t already done yet besides give you a deadline to meet,” she says in jest, but when my face is somber and my eyes darken, her body locks, her eyes flick up to meet mine. “She gave you a deadline?”

I nod, hating myself for wanting that money. “Either I get married within the next three months or I don’t get the money.” Just saying the words is enough to make my entire body revolt.

“Why would she do that? What does she get out of it?”

I laugh bitterly because I’ve thought about this constantly for years.

“The only explanation I can come up with is control. I was her baby boy, the one that was supposed to produce the heirs to the family name. The one that was supposed to take over my father’s law firm when I graduated and when none of that happened, I think she realized she was losing all her control over me and this was her only way to get it back.”

Billie is quiet for a minute, her eyes darting between me and the counter in front of her. Her fingers are laced together as she shifts in place.

“Have you thought about giving up the money?”

My shoulders relax as her nervous gaze finds mine. I smile, trying to reassure her that nothing she says is going to offend me.

“I have. But my dream of owning my own shop is too important to give up.” I know what I’m asking of her is a lot. I know she barely knows me and must think I’m a lunatic for trying to create this incredible scheme to get what’s rightfully mine, but I’m hoping she’ll help me.

“I’ll do it,” she says, those eyes clear of all uncertainty as her lips turn up in a quirky smile. “Besides, you’re helping me by not making me pay for a hotel or staying with my parents, so it’s a win-win for both of us.”

I laugh, feeling the pressure in the room ease just a bit. “Really? You’re seriously okay with all of this?” I ask, needing reassurance that I’m not blackmailing her into doing this.

But before all the dark thoughts enter my head, Billie lifts herself off the stool and makes her way over to where I’m leaning against the counter. Her fingers lightly brush against my chest, the warmth of her skin seeping into every pore and causing my breath to catch.

“Lucas, if I didn’t want to help you, I would have just left,” she says before gracing me with the biggest smile I’ve seen her give since I pulled her up from the hallway last night. “But I do think we need to go over some things before we make it official.”

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