Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ZAIN

I could explain that no one has actually approached her friends yet.

I could tell her that I have a friend who is skilled in finding out everything about people. Especially the things they want to hide. Finding out her food and drink preferences was a simple matter for him.

I could tell her that there isn't a single thing about her life in New York that I don't know.

I could tell her that I probably know more about her boyfriend than she does.

But none of those explanations would give me the same reaction. Well, the last one might , but the scene it could potentially cause is one I don't want to deal with in the middle of a diner.

Allowing her to make a call and discover that her friend has no idea what she's talking about has shaken her confidence that she can change my mind. It's given her the message that nothing in her life is outside of my control. That everything I put in the contract she signed is going to come true.

The horrified realization is right there in her eyes as she stares at me from across the table.

The waitress returns with her coffee and my water, sets them down in front of us, and walks away. Ashley's gaze doesn't waver from mine the entire time.

"I really wouldn't waste your time." I break the silence.

She frowns. "What do you mean?"

"It doesn't matter what you come up with as an alternative to what you've signed, you're not going to convince me to change my mind. You'd be better off turning your focus to more important things."

"Like?"

"Like how you're going to break the news to your friends, boyfriend, and mother."

"I could just not tell them."

"And how will you explain the marriage, wedding ring, and moving in with me? Or are you planning on cutting your mom and friends out of your life for the next fourteen months?" She doesn't need to do that, because I will. But I want her to discover that for herself over time. I push the coffee mug toward her. "If you don't tell them, I will. Drink your coffee. You're going to need the caffeine boost for the day ahead."

Her gaze lowers and she curves her hands around the mug. "You said we have to fill in paperwork today?"

"For the marriage license. The county clerk's office doesn't open until nine, so we'll go straight there after breakfast. Once we have it all filled out, you can call your workplace and give your resignation, effective immediately. After that, call your landlord. If there's anything you need picking up from the house, let me know and I'll arrange for someone to go in and pack it up. It can go into storage until our arrangement is over."

I pause when the server returns with our breakfast, then pick back up when she's gone.

"You will need to tell your friends that you're not coming back, but you don't have to tell them we're getting married just yet. I'd say you could invite them to the wedding, but it's very short notice. You also need to call Scott and end things with him. I want that done today."

"I'm not inviting my friends to watch me fake marry someone."

"Oh, the marriage will be one hundred percent real. Eat your pancakes."

"I don't want them."

" Eat the pancakes."

"Will you make a scene if I don't?"

"Ignore me and find out."

She stares at me, and I can almost see her arguing with herself in her head over whether I'm bluffing or not. When she flattens her palms against the tabletop and starts to rise, I'm ready. My fingers wrap around her wrist. Her surprise gives me time to stand, lean forward, wrap my other hand around the back of her neck and pull her forward.

My mouth meets hers. Her eyes, now so close to mine, widen, and then she tries to pull away. My hand tightens on her neck, keeping her in place, while my lips move over hers. She doesn't kiss me back. I don't expect her to. But I don't release her until someone laughs, and a voice calls out .

"Your breakfast is on the plates, not in her mouth. Put her down."

I let my hand fall away, and drop back into my seat. Ashley doesn't move. Lips parted, eyes fastened on mine. Her cheeks are pink. I lean back, and give her a tight smile, ignoring the way I can still feel her lips against mine. They were unexpectedly soft.

"You just keep digging that hole deeper. Now everyone has seen us kiss. Rumors will be flying before we leave the diner." I keep my voice low, and wave a hand toward her plate. "Sit down and eat your breakfast."

When she doesn't move, I sigh and stand back up. Tossing a couple of bills onto the table to pay for the untouched food, I step out of the booth. Ashley remains where she is. I hold out one hand.

Her eyes flicker down to look at it.

"You might as well take it. Or would you like a repeat performance to really cement how serious I am?"

"I hate you." The words are uttered in a low undertone, even as she reaches to curl her fingers around mine.

I regret the contact immediately. Her hand is warm, and small in mine.

"I don't care." My voice is clipped.

I lead her out of the diner, the weight of everyone's eyes on us, and back to the car.

"The county clerk's office won't be open yet, it's only eight-thirty. Get in the car, and you can make the call to your place of work and give them your resignation."

I open the door, and wait until she's inside with the seatbelt in place, before slamming it closed and walking around to the driver's side. She has her cell phone to her ear by the time I'm in my seat.

"I need to talk to Penelope." Her voice is flat, wooden, and she stares straight ahead out of the windshield. "Hi, Pen. I'm sorry to have to do this at such short notice, but I … I …" Her tongue comes out to swipe over her lips, and I file it away as one of her emotional tells. "I won't be coming back to work." The words fall over each other in her rush to blurt them out.

"N-no, it's not a joke. I'm sorry … I can't … can't explain right now." Her jaw clenches at whatever the woman at the end of the line says, and her lashes lower, hiding her eyes. "No, it's nothing anyone has done. I just … I'm back home, and s-something has come up that needs me to stay." Her bottom lip trembles. "I wish I could, but I think it's going to be a while before I'll be back in New York. I'll put it in writing, but I … I wanted you to know first." She swallows. "Thank you. I appreciate it." The cell phone falls onto her lap.

"Good girl. Now the landlord."

"I don't have their number. Jessa-Mae always deals with them." She doesn't look at me.

"Then I guess it's time to call her and let her know the news."