Chapter 15

15

Mira

"You’re marrying him?" Abby pales. "You barely know him."

I glance out at the pouring rain. It’s a Saturday, so I didn’t have to go to work. Gotta hand it to Edward. He planned it out so we didn’t have to meet at work this morning. He gave me eighteen hours to arrive at a decision. Eighteen hours to make a decision that’s going to impact the rest of my life. Should I be grateful he gave me this much time? Or is this a way for him to pander to me, safe in the knowledge I’m going to comply? Definitely the latter. Edward’s too smart. He knows I will agree to his proposition. He knows I don’t have a choice in the matter. This—giving me a few hours—is him creating an illusion I am in control when I’m not. A chance for things to sink in, so I’ll go into this arrangement more willingly.

"Are you sure about this?" Summer asks quietly.

No . But of course, I can’t tell her that.

The girls are in my tiny apartment. Abby and Summer are on the couch. Penny, has taken the sole armchair, and Gio’s pulled up one of the barstools from the kitchenette. I’ve been too restless to sit still. I was moved that my girlfriends turned up so quickly, but I also knew it would be pointless telling them I was okay when it was clear from the expression on my face that I'm not.

Edward dropped me off at my apartment building yesterday. Neither of us spoke a word. He focused on driving, and I focused on trying to get my thoughts together. I barely slept last night. When dawn broke, I made myself a cup of tea and wondered how I was going to get through the coming few days. How am I going to get through my life?

Other than my father, the rest of my family won’t care about my marriage. I want to talk things through with my friends, but I signed the agreement last night, which means, I have to keep the details confidential. The minutes ticked on, and with every passing hour, my panic increased. When Gio called me, I tried to appear normal, but she must have seen something in my expression because the next thing I knew, she was at my doorstop, followed by Abby, Summer, and Penny.

"His proposal was very sudden," I murmur.

"No shit. I knew he was up to something when you spilled coffee on him, and he responded by asking you to work for him. And now he wants to marry you.” Gio looks at me with suspicion. “Is he holding something over you? Is that why you agreed to be his wife?”

I glance away, not wanting her to see the confusion in my eyes. Edward is one hell of a good actor, but I can’t say the same about myself. And these are my friends. And now, I’m lying to them.

"It’s nothing like that. I...uh... I fell in love with him. It’s why I’m marrying him.”

“You met him a week ago,” Gio points out..

“It was love at first sight." I hear the defensiveness in my voice and wince. That isn’t very convincing. Judging by the silence behind me, none of my friends believe me, either.

"If you’re in trouble, you can tell us," Penny says in a soft voice. "We can help you. Our husbands?—"

"Wouldn’t hesitate to use their billions to rescue me from a sticky situation, I’m aware." I turn to face them. "And I appreciate the offer. But honestly, it’s nothing of that sort. He… He loves me." Don’t look away. Don’t look away. I lower my eyelashes, and Gio instantly jumps to her feet.

"You expect us to believe that grumpass took one look at you and decided you were going to be his wife?" She stabs a finger in my direction.

I raise my gaze to hers and nod firmly. In this, at least, I’m not lying. The truth in my eyes must convince Gio, for she seems taken aback.

"It’s not that I don’t believe in insta-love. I’m the living embodiment of it, after all, but getting married to him within the week you go to work for him?" She shakes her head.

"I know it’s a little rushed?—"

"Try very rushed." Gio scowls.

"Give the girl a chance to speak," Abby admonishes her.

Gio firms her lips but continues to stare at me with a speculative look in her eyes.

"Is this what you want?" Summer searches my features. "Is it, Mira? Because if you have your heart set on it, then of course, we’re in your corner."

"But if that asshat is holding something over you—" Gio begins.

"Didn’t you agree when Rick asked you to marry him? And you knew him for a short period of time.

"I met him months before he asked, but yes, I only got to know him properly for a week before I agreed." She tosses her hair over her shoulder. "I suppose, I shouldn’t be lecturing you about the need for caution, but I worry about you, Mira. You’re?—"

"Innocent?"

"In a good way. You’re the best of us. You have a heart that is swayed so easily."

"Doesn’t mean I’m stupid." I set my jaw.

"I didn’t say that. I only mean, you lead with your emotions. You’re the woman who volunteers at the senior citizen’s center when you’re not taking care of kids at the preschool."

"Nothing wrong with volunteering." I tip up my chin.

"But you went above and beyond the call of duty. You started a knitting club so those old ladies had something to look forward to."

"Only because they love reading smut, as do I."

"Wait, you started a smut club for grannies?" Penny gapes.

"And one grandpa, if you want to be accurate, but yes. We meet weekly and knit and talk about spicy books. You should hear them. Their vocabulary of four-letter words puts the rest of us to shame."

Gio chuckles. "That’s what I mean. You’re smart and sexy. You light up any room you walk into, Mira. While Edward—" She shakes her head. "Is not the easiest man to be with."

"Maybe that’s why they work," Penny says slowly.

Silence descends.

"What?" She looks around the room. "It’s why Knight and I are so good together. He’s a grumpy-face, and I can’t stop myself from having a smile on mine" She curves her lips to demonstrate.

"It is probably why I’m so attracted to him," I admit.

"Hmm." Gio shifts her weight from foot to foot. "Edward’s a complex man.”

"That’s putting it lightly." I half laugh.

Abby taps the arm of the couch. "I think we all agree that our relationships with our respective husbands did not begin in the most traditional of ways?—"

"—but it turned out well, and we’re very happy," Abby murmurs.

"Blissfully." Summer nods.

"Doesn’t mean you have to agree to marry him," Gio points out.

I set my jaw. "But what if I want to?"

"Do you?" Summer asks.

I nod slowly.

"If you do, then make sure you negotiate with him, before the wedding." Gio brushes off a speck of dirt from her Prada jacket. "Make sure you get what you want out of it before giving in to him."

"Like what?"

"Money? Houses. Whatever you want out of it."

"But how—" A knock on the door interrupts me. I glance toward it; so do the girls.

"Don’t you have an intercom system?" Penny frowns.

"I do." I begin to walk toward the door when whoever is at the door knocks on it again. I look toward the peephole, then step back and pivot around to face them. "It’s him."

"Who?" Gio asks.

"Edward," I whisper. Not that he can hear my voice through the door, but he’s right there on the other side of it. "What should I do?" I wring my hands. "I’m not ready to see him.

"Belle?" He bangs on the door again. "I know you’re in there."

I freeze, and I’m sure the look on my face is that of pure panic, for Gio rises to her feet. She marches past me and grips the door handle, before turning to me. "Should I tell him to leave?"

I shake my head.

She sighs. "You want me to buy you some time?"

I nod.

"Why don’t you go on into the bedroom?"

"Thank you" I race past the other girls.

Behind me, I hear her throw open the door. "Edward, what are you doing here?"