Page 26 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

‘When is your birthday?’

‘May.’

‘That seems rather… archaic.’

He inclines his head. ‘My grandpa was a stubborn old goat and when he got something into his head, there was no persuading him to change his mind. Not long before he died, he asked if I’d marry again and I told him no. The clause in his will was his response. I didn’t find out that he’d changed his will until after he’d passed away. I think he wanted me to be married so I didn’t end up alone like my father and also because it’s good for appearances. Plus he clearly got cheesed off when I said I’d never marry again and this was him having revenge from beyond the grave. He liked people to bend to his will and I’m a bit stubborn too so I wouldn’t have done something just to please him.’

‘Can’t you question the will now?’

‘I could and it might get me his shares, but the board is made up of a lot of his friends and they’d vote against me becoming CEO out of loyalty to him.’

‘What happens to the business if you lose it?’

‘It’ll be bought by some wealthy businessperson or sold off to other shareholders probably, possibly even sold to a competitor and closed down. The family name would likely go and the business I grew up wanting to be at the head of will no longer exist. This business is my life, Ava. It’s all I ever wanted growing up.’

‘What will you do?’ I feel for him, I really do. It’s such a difficult situation.

‘I need to find a bride.’

‘I’m sure there are plenty of willing women.’ I sip my drink, enjoying the crisp, clear taste even though I suspect I’ve had enough alcohol now. This all seems so surreal.

‘That’s the problem. See… I don’t want to marry for love again. It’s too painful if something goes wrong. I need a wife who understands our arrangement.’

‘Arrangement?’

‘It would be an arrangement with a contract… a prenup that would mean the woman would be protected. She’d also be financially stable for the rest of her life. We’d have to live together for a while after the wedding to convince people it was real…’ He rubs at his neck.

Edward looks incredibly uncomfortable now. I feel like I’m trying to do a jigsaw but the pieces are floating around me and I can’t quite put them together.

‘Well… I hope you find someone.’ Jealousy pierces my heart like a dagger. He’s going to marry someone and then… And then, what? What did I expect to happen here? ‘If I knew anyone suitable, I’d suggest them, but I don’t.’

He rubs the back of his neck again then holds my gaze. ‘Ava… What I’m trying to ask you is… How would you feel about… about marrying me?’

‘Me?’ The jigsaw pieces fall suddenly into place. My hand flies to my chest in shock and his jacket slips from my shoulders. He catches it as it falls and wraps it back around me.

‘It would be a marriage without romance and love… but it would offer you other things. And you said you don’t have a partner or boyfriend and you’ve been struggling financially but I’d make sure you wanted for nothing.’

I watch him carefully. ‘You’d pay me to marry you?’ This handsome, intelligent, ambitious man would pay me to be his bride?

‘If you’ll have me.’

He’s serious.Shit! Or is he drunk too?

What he’s suggesting would be a purely financial arrangement for me. I never thought I’d marry, have been dead set against becoming involved with anyone. But… is there a part of me that still believes in love? In marrying for love? Or could I marry for money and a better lifestyle? It wouldn’t just be about me, of course, it would be about Mum and Daniel too. And… I’d be there for Joe as he grows up. If the marriage lasted that long.

‘Let me check I heard you correctly? You’re asking me to marry you? But not for love? This would be an arrangement that would be financial for me and involve an inheritance for you?’

‘That’s right.’ He presses his lips together. ‘Look. It’s been a busy evening and it’s your birthday and I don’t want to put any pressure on you. Take some time to think about it. There’s no rush. Well, not until next year. May, to be precise. You can take until the end of your nannying contract to decide if you like.’ He drags his lower lip through his teeth.

‘What is it?’

‘Well, if you then decide not to marry me, I’ll have to find someone else and I’ll have even less time.’

‘Oh…’

‘It’s fine.’ He waves a hand. ‘Let’s park the idea for now and you take some time to think about it.’

‘Right. Thanks.’

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