2. Two

Val

I blink as Chase sounds almost angry. His gorgeous blue eyes look intense, and he has a heavy frown. With his dark hair and those eyes, Chase is the sexiest man I know. He’s big, easily over six feet, and has a body that looks like he spends all of his time in a gym.

When I moved in about two years ago and heard the loud rumble of his motorcycle, I thought he would be an arrogant jerk. Instead, he helps with all the repairs and never complains about my many plants. He loves my cooking. He’s a good friend, but only a friend. No matter how many wet dreams I’ve had about him.

I avoid his accusing eyes and look down at my failure of a wedding dress.

I hate it! The dress my aunt and cousin picked out for me has a full skirt with layers of ruffles that go from my waist to the floor. The ruffles over-emphasize my full hips, and the cut and style of the dress look horrible on me. The top is not made for a full-figured girl, and you can’t tell I have a waist in this awkwardly designed dress.

I shrug because the marriage wasn’t something I wanted, anyway. I look up at Chase, who sits there waiting with his arms crossed in front of his chest for me to tell him this crazy story.

“There’s a stipulation in my parent’s will. To inherit fifty-one percent interest in Carlucci Software stock, I must marry by my twenty-fifth birthday.”

I glance over at Chase, but he says nothing, and his face shows no emotion, so I continue.

“I’m twenty-four. My aunt and uncle introduced me to Anthony Bernardi about six months ago. My aunt and uncle favored the relationship, and Cristina said he was a friend. Ha! Why would she introduce me to someone she was interested in?”

I stop to sip my diet soda as my throat is bone dry before I continue my story.

“When Tony originally asked me to marry him, I said no. But... Well, I want my inheritance, so when he asked me again last month. I said, yes.”

“Keep going with this story, Val. Tell me more about this guy Tony that would screw someone in a church with his bride in the very next room.”

“I was fine with the um... engagement until I decided to talk to Tony about an hour before the wedding. When I knocked, the door opened. I caught Tony and my cousin Cristina having sex.”

“Bastard, and it tells me a lot about your cousin, too.”

“Yeah, I... I shut the door. I don’t even know if either Tony or Christina saw me; they were... you know... busy. I don’t care if I lose my inheritance. I will not be married to a man like that. No matter what.”

“Damn right. I can’t believe you never told me any of this.”

“I don’t understand why my aunt and uncle encouraged me to get married. I always thought they resented that I would get a controlling interest in the company. My Uncle Victor is acting CEO there.”

I push my unruly curls behind one ear nervously at the look on Chase’s face.

“You already know what I think about your domineering aunt and uncle. I’m sure they were getting something out of the deal. Shit! I bet your uncle thought Tony could influence your decisions about the company once you were married.” Chase leans forward in his chair. “You’d be more likely to agree with whatever they both came up with. That is some cold-blooded shit.”

He runs his hand through his shaggy hair. He probably should have remembered to get it cut again.

“Val, I find it hard to believe you didn’t tell me about this. I haven’t been gone that long.”

“I’m sorry, Chase. You’ve been away, and I wasn’t sure how to tell you. I didn’t want to burden you with my family drama.”

“Val, are you kidding me? You were going to marry someone you hardly know! That’s crazy. Insane!”

“Well, what was I supposed to do? I don’t want to lose my inheritance. If I’m not married within the week, I’ll lose everything. I didn’t feel like I had a choice.”

“Wrong! You always have a choice, Val. Besides, you should have come to me with this. We would have figured something out. Together.”

I blink, “Like what? I’ve read the will. I’ve had my lawyer read the will. There is no loophole, no out. I have to get married if I want the money and stock shares,” I huff. “Besides, I’ve known about this since I was eighteen. I just wasn’t worried. I thought I’d meet someone, we’d fall in love and get married. It... um... just never happened, at least... like I thought it would.”

“Where were you two planning on living after the wedding?”

“Tony wanted to buy a house, but I told him I didn’t want to give up my duplex. So, he said we’d talk more about it after we got back from the honeymoon.”

Chase snorts and mutters, “Honeymoon,” then with a frown, “Val, you are smarter than that. I can’t believe you allowed this Tony guy to talk you into marrying him. How many times have I given you my opinion about your controlling aunt and uncle? Is that the couple I saw chasing after you at the church?”

“Yes. I’m sure my aunt and uncle are unhappy that I backed out.”

“Who gives a shit? You are a grown-ass woman. You’re smart enough to make your own decisions. You need to get those two out of your business and your life. Hell, all four of them. Your aunt, your uncle, your bitch of a cousin, and now this douchebag, Tony.”

“Chase, you make it sound so simple. But I’m not sure how to do that. My uncle runs the business. He makes most of the decisions regarding Carlucci Software.”

“Only until you have controlling interest. Then everyone at the company, including your uncle, will have to dance to your tune, Val.”

“I guess so. But I’d rather be creating software code than running the business.”

“You know, I bet that’s the reason your parents wrote that into their will. I believe they knew that your aunt and uncle would always try to take control of the Carlucci business. They wanted to wait until you were old enough, strong enough and knew enough about the business to take the reins. To keep your uncle from having control.”

“You could be right.” I close my eyes for just a minute, then I open them and look wearily up at Chase, “but that will not happen now, anyway. I just ran away from my only chance of getting married by my birthday.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think I may have a solution.”

“Really! What?”