The Billionaire's Temporary Bride (Scandal, Inc #3)(14)

"The main points are simple. First, no outside relationships. No sex, no flirting, no late night phone calls with old flames. If either of you would rather screw around, we should call it quits right now. Even the appearance of impropriety ruins the whole rationale behind doing this. Expect to be photographed both together and alone at any time. Second, no one outside this room can know about this agreement. Not friends, not family. Everyone must believe that the two of you are head over heels in love. Their honest belief will sell your story. Third, in the event of divorce, Charlotte will waive her right to any shared property. In return, she will receive an annual stipend necessary to sustain a standard of living expected of any current or former member of the Coburn family.

"Jack, it's in your best interest for Charlotte to maintain a certain image even post-divorce. Personally, I think it would be a good touch for Charlotte to keep your name, at least for a few years. Charlotte Coburn. It has a nice ring to it. When the time comes, we'll run a focus group to see what plays better. The divorce isn't a stipulated end of the contract, but the option does open up after eighteen months. If I can give you our advice, though, Callie and I think it would be best if you two ran a Bill and Hill."

"A Bill and Hill?" Charlotte asked.

"You'll remain publicly married but take up different residences in different states. The Coburn family owns enough properties that it shouldn't be a problem to find a place for you." Amy reached across the table and flipped to a page near the end of the binder, like the matter had been settled. "Anyway, the two of you can negotiate the exact amount of the stipend, but we have prepared guidance."

Charlotte froze as she saw the number. It was over four hundred thousand dollars a year.

Amy continued. "Once you win the election—"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Jack said. "The primary is still months away, and the election is next fall. A lot can happen in a year."

"Like an engagement, a wedding, and months of campaigning," Callie said. She turned her attention to Charlotte. "And who knows, by the time you're sworn in as the next Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, maybe the two of you will have fallen in love for real."

"I don't think that will be an issue," Jack said.

Amy and Callie shared a private smile. "Stranger things have happened," Amy said. "In any case, we've crafted an exit plan for the two of you, one that will reflect well on both of you while allowing Charlotte to return to some level of anonymity. Although, Charlotte, we should be clear that you will almost certainly retain some small level of celebrity. We've written up a short summary of the plan. Of course, it won't be included in the official agreement."

All of this made Charlotte's head spin even more than the kiss had. She didn't know what to say or do. The Haven sisters were literally outlining the next several years of Charlotte's life, dictating her sex life, her image, even her name, Charlotte Coburn. Their short-term deal had turned into a life sentence.

Charlotte Coburn. She hadn't considered it before. It had all seemed like such a simple proposition: spend some time pretending to be married while figuring out what to do with her life. But this was years. This role would become her entire life, her whole identity. She would always be Jack's wife or Jack's ex-wife. She would become Mrs. Jack Coburn. She'd have to follow the plan someone else had laid out for her. She'd have no say. She felt numb and panicked and out of breath, and she needed a minute to think. She could tell that Amy was still talking, but she couldn't hear a word.

Charlotte focused all her energy into pushing herself back from the table. "I can't do this," she said.

"Charlotte, if you're serious, we can call this whole thing off. Our friendship and your wellbeing come before anything else, ok? But, I really think this could be good for you."

"I just need some air," Charlotte said. She felt lightheaded. Why did I think this would be easy? she wondered. She felt off-balance.

"Jack needs you to do this. People are counting on you," Amy said.

"I just need some air," Charlotte repeated. She needed to regain her balance. She needed to process. She felt a hand on her shoulder, Jack's hand. His touch was like a tether that kept her from floating off in a cloud of worry and self-doubt.

"Give her a break, guys," Jack said. "This is a lot to take in." He locked his eyes on Charlotte. "It's a lot for me to process too. Are you ok? You don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

Charlotte reached down for the binder and pulled back from Jack. "I don't need you to protect me," she said. "I just need… I don't know. This is my life we're talking about. For all of you, everything just goes on as it did. I'm giving up my entire life. It might not seem like much, but it's mine. I made it, and I'm not exactly looking to throw it away."

"It's my life too," Jack said. "Just tell me what you want. We spent a whole weekend talking about marriage, but I have no idea what you want from one."

"A partnership, a relationship. I'm not asking you to be my boyfriend, or anything like that, but if I'm going to spend years of my life as Charlotte Coburn, I need something more than a contract and a pile of money."

"Of course," Jack said. He shot a glance at Amy. "Does anyone have a problem with anything she said?"