I shuddered at the thought.
“How would the money work?”
Simone’s voice was low as it floated across my office. It was nearly 5:00 p.m. and she now stood in the doorway, like she was hesitating to come inside.
“I mean, if I said yes?” she asked.
“Close the door and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
She nodded, then closed the door behind her. “Would you pay it out in pieces? Or would I get the whole thing upfront?”
Damn. Maybe she’d been after my money, after all.
“It’s just my mom,” she continued. “She was in a pretty bad car accident a few years ago. She hasn’t been able to walk since then. Anyway, there’s this experimental surgery that could give her some mobility back and maybe help with the pain, too. But since it’s experimental, insurance won’t cover it.”
I was flooded with relief at her admission. “We can work it out, however you need. Just let me know how much it’ll cost and I’ll wire the money to you as soon as everything’s settled.”
“Okay.” She nodded again. “Okay, then. I think I can do it.”
“You think you can do it? Really?”
“I mean, I’m not much of an actress. But you said it’d only be for a few months, right?”
“Right.”
“Then, yeah. I think I can pretend to be your wife for a few months.” She folded her arms in front of her chest. “What’s that going to be like, anyway? Like, do I actually have to meet your family?”
“Yes. You’ll have to live with me, too.”
“Separate rooms?” she pressed.
“Of course,” I assured her. “We won’t be doing anything you’re not comfortable with. Although, you won’t be able to see anyone else while we’re doing this, so if there’s someone you had your eye on—”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” She held up a hand. “Besides, I imagine my dating someone else would look pretty bad to your family. Like you got married but you have a bad picker.”
“Or like my marriage isn’t real, which would be even worse. That would definitely be grounds for handing things over to Sean.”
“No sex.”
“What was that?”
“There won’t be any sex,” she demanded. “I understand needing to be lovey-dovey around your family and hold hands. But I don’t have to be intimate with you. Ever.”
“Sure, but is that something you really want me to put in the contract?” I playfully winked. “You spend enough time with someone, who knows what could happen?”
“I won’t sign it if it’s not in there.” Her tone was serious. “No sex. And then I’ll sign on the dotted line.”
“Got it. No sex.” I sat back in my office chair. “I’ll draw the contract up myself. It’ll be in your inbox in a few hours.”
“Sounds great. I think I’m going to head out now.”
“Yeah, you should. I like the business casual look, but I think you might want to wear something a little more formal for dinner with my parents tonight.”
“Dinner with your parents tonight? Are you serious?” Simone’s mouth fell open. “We don’t even have a signed contract yet!”
“Consider it a test run.” I grinned. “And don’t worry. I’ll send a cheat sheet along with the contract. Oh, and dinner’s at eight sharp. I’ll have my car come pick you up.”
“But, Harry, I don’t even—I mean, you don’t even know where I live—”