Reluctantly Yours(90)

“Fine. We’ll take one of each from every section. Chef’s recommendation.”

The waitress looks between us and smiles, then jots it down on her notepad. “Sure thing.” She gathers the menus and leaves.

“What do you have going on this wee—” I begin, but Chloe’s attention is on the front windows of the restaurant, her eyes narrowing as she stares intently.

“Oh my God. Is that Frankie?”

I turn around to follow Chloe’s stare.

Outside the window, on the sidewalk, is a woman in a tight mini dress and heels with a man’s arms wrapped around her waist while they both lean over the menu posted by the door. It is Frankie. And Vance from the club.

Fuck.

I turn my attention back to Chloe, but her eyes are still on Frankie and her sidepiece.

Our booth is quiet as she takes in the scene behind me.

“That is definitely Frankie! Oh my God, Barrett! They’re making out. She’s cheating on Fred.” Chloe’s eyes widen, her nostrils flaring in outrage. “Can you believe this?”

I struggle to find the words. “It’s awful. I feel for the guy. He adores Frankie,” I say.

“You’re going to tell him, right?” Chloe asks.

“What?”

“That you saw Frankie kissing another guy. You have to tell Fred.”

I lean into the backrest of the booth. I’ve seen them doing way more than kissing.

Chloe shifts her gaze back to me. It’s clear the moment that she realizes I’m not as surprised by this discovery as she is.

“Wait. Did you already know this?” she asks.

While not telling Chloe that I saw Frankie and Vance together was an omission, I can’t outright lie to her face.

“Yes. I saw them together. At the club. A few weeks ago. He’s a tennis pro there.”

“What?! Why didn’t you tell me?”

I pause, wondering what the issue is. “Why would you need to know?”

That question doesn’t go over well.

“Um, because their relationship is the reason we’ve been fake dating.”

“That was before. We’re together now.”

“Are we? Because this seems like information that you would share with someone you’re dating.”

“It doesn’t affect you. Or us,” I argue.

“It doesn’t affect me? What if Frankie calls and wants to hang out? What if we see them out at an event? Am I supposed to pretend that I don’t know what is going on?” Chloe shakes her head. “You have to tell Fred.”

“No. I can’t tell Fred. There’s too much at stake.”

Chloe laughs humorously. “Your deal? That’s why you haven’t said anything?”

“I’ll tell him. After we’ve signed.”

Chloe gapes at me, the color in her cheeks darkening. “You’re going to let Fred sign away his company to you, a man he trusts, and then tell him you knew his girlfriend is cheating on him?”

I take a sip of coffee, trying to get a handle on the situation. I have to make Chloe understand how this could fuck up everything I’ve been working for. How important this deal is for me. Carl is right. The deal isn’t done until it’s signed. If I tell Fred about Frankie, there’s no telling how he will react.

Chloe thinks we would be doing him a favor, but Fred is content with Frankie. The whole thing could blow up in my face. Blow up the deal I’ve been working months to secure.

“I’ve been busting my ass to make this deal happen. I’m not going to throw it away because Fred’s girlfriend is using him. It’s not personal—”

“It’s business. Right. Of course, this makes perfect sense.”

“What do you mean by that?” My jaw clenches.

“I guess I forgot who I was dealing with. I forgot you were the man who blackmailed me into this entire charade. That you’ll do anything to get what you want.”

“You weren’t complaining when I fucked you in the shower this morning.” I let my emotions get the best of me and I can see the hurt on Chloe’s face. I lean closer, reaching for her hand. “Shit. I didn’t mean— Can we—”

“I know exactly what you meant. I was a part of this with you, deceiving Fred and Frankie by letting them think we were together so you could close a deal. I guess the joke’s on me, because I was starting to think you weren’t the cold, calculating businessman I once thought you were.”

“And you’re perfect? Need I remind you that you’re here because you didn’t want to tell my mother about the party at her apartment to save your job. Isn’t that the same thing? Withholding the truth to get what you want?”

“Not at the expense of people’s feelings!”

We stare at each other, neither of us willing to budge.

“Barrett. You have to tell him,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I can’t do it. I’ve worked too hard to get to this point. Voltaire is the final deal that will put SCM at the top. Where it was when my father was CEO. It’s all I’ve been working for. You have to understand that.”

“I don’t think your father was the type of man who would want you to get it this way.”