Anyone But Rich (Anyone But..., #1)(66)

“It really is for the best, son,” he said for the tenth time in the five minutes we’d been sitting there. “Your mother and I are sorry things had to get ugly, but you’re a businessman yourself. You understand doing what has to be done.”

“Of course,” I said. It was hard not to laugh, because he was more right than he realized. I absolutely understood. It was why I was sitting next to Stella and pretending we were engaged. It was why I was willing to go through any of this circus act. Because it wasn’t the easiest choice, but it was the one that needed to be made.

My mother waved her hand in our direction. “At least look like you’re in love. Hold her hand, for God’s sake.”

I took Stella’s hand stiffly in mine. “How’s that?” I asked through clenched teeth.

“And would it kill you to kiss her? I swear I haven’t seen the two of you so much as hug each other, let alone kiss. She’s going to be your wife. You might as well start acting like it.”

“I’ve actually had a bit of a sore throat,” I said quickly. I could feel Stella tensing beside me. “Don’t worry, though. You’ll see quite the kiss at the wedding. I’m sure it’ll make you want to jump right out of your seat.”

My mother looked unimpressed. “And remind me: Why is it that you’re pushing to have this wedding happen so quickly? It’s unseemly. One month? How do you expect everyone to clear their schedules on such short notice?”

“It’s what we’re doing. If people can’t make it, then they can’t make it. We’re not worried about that.”

My mother clicked her tongue in disapproval. “People will talk, you know. They’ll think you got her pregnant. Did you?”

“No,” I said.

My father leaned forward with a conspiratorial smirk on his face. “There will be plenty of time for that on the honeymoon, right, son?”

I cringed. This was the same man who was willing to do anything in his power to stop me from being with the woman I cared about. He’d sabotage my company, her life, and anything else he could think of to get his way. And he really thought I’d be able to chum it up with him again?

I made myself smile. “Well, we’ve got to go. Like you said, the wedding is coming up quick, and we’ve got a lot of planning to do.” I slid my hand out of Stella’s and stood. “Come on, dear,” I said with a sarcastic twist of my lips that only Stella could see.

She glared as she stood. “Of course, honey. I’ll be right there.”



Cade and Nick were waiting for me inside the entrance of our soon-to-be headquarters. As soon as we’d announced the engagement between Stella and me, my parents had agreed to get Mayor Summerland to start undoing the damage he’d done.

We had a month to get our legal team working their asses off and go overtime on the construction of our West Valley headquarters. By the time the wedding happened, our parents would find their own series of legal roadblocks if they tried to come after us again.

“It’s coming along,” Nick said. He plucked a strip of blue tape from his belt and put it on the wall where someone’s tool had left a black streak on the paint. “I’m not sure I believe it’ll be done before this wedding of yours, but it’s getting there.”

Cade, who had been deep in thought, grunted. “Does it even matter? You heard the lawyers. They showed their cards when they put a stop to the construction before. We’ve got ourselves covered now. I doubt you even need to have the wedding. We beat them already.”

“It still matters,” I said. “If they think there’s any chance they can stop the truth about Kira and me from getting deep in their social circles, they’ll still try anything. The wedding makes it all final.”

“Seems kind of cold,” Nick said. “Was Kira really okay with you just using marriage and a wedding as some kind of strategic move?”

“She’s okay with it because we want to get married. The fact that our wedding will possibly shut Mom and Dad up is just a bonus.”

Nick squinted. “Is it, though?”

“Yes.” My voice was firm, and it pissed me off that he was challenging me on the issue. “I explained everything to Kira, and she’s on board. So frankly, it doesn’t matter if you agree with it or not.”

Nick held up his palms in surrender. “I get it. I was just curious.” He walked over to me and squeezed my shoulder. “And seriously, I’m happy for you. It’s kind of insane that you proposed to Kira after like . . . four days, but I’m happy for you.”

“It has been longer than four days. And thank you.”

“I wish I could say I was happy,” Cade said. “But it’s hard to congratulate a man who puts his dick in handcuffs. Oh, wait,” Cade looked to Nick. “Are they not handcuffs anymore if you put them on your dick? Didn’t think of that, did you, Mr. Headlock?”

Nick put his palm to his forehead. “The worst thing about you is that your twisted logic can actually make sense sometimes.”

Cade puffed up victoriously. He was as sore a winner as he was a loser. “That’s right. You can write me a formal apology or you can kiss my ring. It’s your choice.”

“You’re not wearing a ring—not that I’d kiss it if you were.”