A Not So Meet Cute(16)
“No, just not sure how long it would take you to, you know . . . shower.”
Her brows shoot up to her hairline. “Are you implying I stink?”
Jesus.
I drag my hand over my face. “No, I just . . . I don’t know what you need to do to get ready.”
She holds up one hand. “Trust me, it won’t take long. I’m not here to impress anyone.” She takes a step back. “Chipotle, in an hour.” She points at me. “You’re buying.”
And then she takes off at a jog, and for some reason, I keep my eyes trained on her heart-shaped backside.
Business. Opportunity. Cane. That’s what I need to focus on, because Little Miss No-One-Calls-Me-Leiselotte might be just the woman I need. Smart. Quick on her feet.
Desperate.
“What do you mean, you’re leaving?” JP asks from my dining room table. “And why are you dressed like that?”
“Like what?” I ask as I adjust the cuffs on my button-up shirt.
“As if you’re about to go on a date,” Breaker answers before taking a sip of his beer.
“Because I am.”
Both of my brothers sit up in their chairs and set their beers down on the sandalwood dining room table, to which I have no attachment. My designer purchased it because it goes with my “design aesthetic.”
“What do you mean, you’re going on a date?” JP asks. “You were just outside, trying to dig yourself out of the mess you’ve made with Dave Toney. You went on a walk, and now you’re going on a date?”
“Yeah,” I say as I slip on my shoes.
“How?” Breaker asks.
“Ran into her on the sidewalk. She was looking for a rich boyfriend. I happen to be rich. Therefore, it works out perfectly.”
“What?” JP asks, his voice disbelieving. “Hold on. You met a girl on the sidewalk, she openly told you she’s looking for a rich boyfriend, and now you’re taking her out?”
I finish tying my shoe, stand, and adjust my slate-grey shorts. “Yup.” They’re about to open their mouths when I pin them with a steely glare. “Do you have any better ideas? Do you have any other women lining up for the job?”
“Is she lining up for the job?” JP asks.
“She’s aware that I need a fake fiancée.”
“I don’t know,” Breaker says. “This seems like a really bad idea. Going out with someone you don’t know.”
I give him a confused look. “Dude, that’s what dating is all about, going out with someone you don’t know.”
“But this is different. She wants a rich boyfriend, you need a fake fiancée, who’s to say she’s not going to take advantage of you? How do you know she won’t agree to whatever you have going on in your head but then do something like go to the media and fuck up our reputation?”
I stuff my phone in my pocket and say, “That’s why we pay our lawyers an extreme amount of money, so they can create contracts to prevent that from happening.” When Breaker still looks uneasy, I say, “Listen, I didn’t give her my last name, and she didn’t seem to recognize me either, so I’m going to feel her out and see if she’s interested. If so, I’ll get Harvey to draw up an NDA, as well as an agreement for both of us to sign.”
“I don’t know,” Breaker says, leaning back in his chair now. “This seems really fucking risky.”
“Then tell me what I should do. Do you have another plan of action?” I ask, arms spread.
“Tell Dave that your fiancée isn’t available this weekend. That she’s away for the next two weeks. So, the dinner date needs to be postponed. Although, I wouldn’t have lied in the first place,” Breaker says.
“Too fucking late for that,” I say in a huff while grabbing my keys. Not to mention, I want this deal done and dusted. Not waiting another fucking two weeks, when I’d probably be no closer to finding a fake fiancée. On my way to the garage, I say, “Be back. Lock up if you leave.”
I hate to admit that they’re right—this is crazy, slightly stupid, and incredibly risky, but I also dug my hole. I might as well lie in it.
Chapter Four
LOTTIE
Lottie: OMG, KELSEY!!!
Kelsey: What? Did Mom and Jeff find out? I swear I haven’t said anything.
Lottie: No, I found a rich man.
Kelsey: Uh . . . what?
Lottie: I don’t have a lot of time. My phone is charging and I’m meeting him in about twenty-five minutes at the Chipotle down the street. But, yeah, I found a rich man.
Kelsey: Hold on. What do you mean you found a rich man? What were you doing?
Lottie: **Puffs chest** While on my walk. I got lost, and then BAM, rich man to save the day. Told you I could find one walking through The Flats.
Kelsey: You’re fucking with me.
Lottie: I’m not, I swear. I’m putting on some mascara right now and I’m trying to decide if I go in casual or if I put on a sundress. Honestly, I have no need to impress him. He’s the one who wants to discuss things.
Kelsey: Discuss things? What does that even mean? Why aren’t you answering your phone when I call you? I need to know what the hell is going on.