Page 16 of The Fiancé Hoax

She nodded. “I know.”

“In all the years I've known him, I never would have guessed he would be such a stickler with his only child.”

She looked up. “So you've known him for a while?”

“Yeah, we go back. When I started my investing business, I hired him as my lawyer right away. Over the years, we became friends. He was there for me when my wife and I split up.”

She dropped her fork. “Marshall Hayes? My father was there for you?”

“It was surprising to me, too. I didn't know the guy had it in him. But he felt he could relate. You know, with losing your mother.”

Felicity’s face fell slightly. She looked away.

I cringed. What a dick thing to say.

“Shit. I'm sorry to bring up a delicate subject. And it’s not the same thing as my divorce. Obviously.”

“No, it's okay. It's been several years since Mom passed.” She took a long gulp of her tea. “I'm just surprised my dad could provide emotional support to anyone.”

“Yeah, he's not all bad.”

“So you two are really… friends?”

“Yes. I guess you could say I'm his closest friend.”

Felicity shook her head, bewildered. “I had no idea you and my dad were so tight. He keeps his life private from me.” She chuckled. “I didn't even know he had any real friends. Besides his business associates and partners.”

“So I take it you two aren't the best at communication?”

“My dad is not the best at communication,” she said. “At least not when it comes to his own daughter.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

We finished our meals in silence. I cleared our plates from the table and sat back down.

It was go time.

“Look, Felicity. You need some cash to keep your boutique afloat. You also need to learn how to manage a business.”

She leaned forward, holding her breath.

“I can help you with all that,” I said.

Her face opened up into a big grin and she clasped her hands together.

“Really? That's wonderful, Cooper. You won't regret this! Your investment will be well spent.” She pulled a notebook from her bag and began to flip through pages. “What are the terms of an arrangement like this? I did some research, and I was seeing anything from thirty to fifty percent. But it all depends on what your process is. What were you thinking?”

She looked up at me. She was beaming, and it was adorable. I wanted nothing more than to scoop her up and carry her to my bed.

“I'd like to have a non-traditional agreement.”

“Oh.” She leaned back a little. “What kind of agreement?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Don't worry. I'm not going to ask you to sleep with me in return for investing in your business.”

“Okay…”

“My ex-wife, Gen, is suing me for custody of my daughters.”

---