The Pretend Girlfriend (A Billionaire Love Story #1)(17)

She hadn't realized he'd bring actual lawyers and real paperwork into this. It made sense, after a fashion. After all, this was a business arrangement. Being a business man, of course he wanted it all laid out in black and white on paper with dates and signatures and all that.

Still, it stung a little, and she thought of how she really would have said yes had he genuinely asked her out on a date. Gwen folded the napkin and shoved it back across the table.

Her knuckle tapped his coffee mug, sending some of the dark liquid sloshing over the brim. Aiden pulled out another napkin and dabbed at the spill, even as he took the folded one from her and tucked it back into his pocket along with his pen.

Tabby came over with their sandwiches. In spite of her initial apprehension, Gwen couldn't help admitting it smelled good and looked appetizing, with the bit of white egg poking out of the edges along with some leafy green lettuce. The sandwich was served with fries. Her mouth watered.

She gave the return of her appetite a warm welcome, eating that sandwich. The egg went surprisingly well with the rest of the contents. She was about half way through when she caught Aiden watching her. He'd taken a couple bites out of his, but didn't seem nearly so interested in it as he was in her. Suddenly self conscious, Gwen dabbed at her lips with a napkin.

"So why are you doing this, anyway?" Gwen said, anxious to get the attention off herself.

The question apparently spoiled Aiden's appetite. He glanced down at his sandwich and pushed it away. "There are pressures in my life. Expectations. I've chosen to devote myself to my company, though not in the way some people want. Certain people think I'm not living my life the way they intended it, and they have made... threats to my continued involvement if I don't start following through on those expectations."

"And one of those 'expectations' is that you need to be in a relationship?"

"Yes. A particular kind of relationship. Speaking of which, you, too, will have guidelines you'll need to follow. Don't worry, they'll be outlined in the contract you'll be getting later today."

Gwen pushed her sandwich out of the way so that she could lean in closer. This whole thing was just getting stranger and stranger. "Okay, I get it. Your daddy, who is also your boss, Henry, wants you to be a different kind of son. What I can't get over is that I really would have gone out with you if you'd have asked. And I just have to know why you didn't before I go about signing up for this." One foot tapped nervously under the table. The question really did burn inside her. Why would he want a fake relationship when he could have had a real one?

Though that ship, as they say, had set sail the instant he made this ludicrous offer.

"You seem nice, Gwen, really. But you're just not my type. And even if you were, I'm not interested in a real relationship. And have you been stalking me or something? How do you know all this?"

She leaned back, arms crossed again. Not his type? Not interested in a relationship? Just who did this guy think he was? Gwen seriously considered dropping the whole thing then and there. At least living with one of her parents was honest.

And, though she didn't want to admit it yet, his answer also hurt. She'd genuinely liked him at first, and discovering that your feelings aren't reciprocated just plain sucks.

"Google. Wikipedia. You have an entry in the Carbide Solutions article," she answered. A pressure started building behind her eyes, and she blinked furiously to hold it back. "Haven't you ever heard of the internet? Besides, isn't this stuff I would have to know anyway, you know, to make this act look convincing? How long did you think you could keep it a secret?" She fired off the questions like bullets from a gun.

And they had a pretty similar impact. Aiden started to pale a little, and that smug smile finally fell from his lips.

Rather than the satisfaction she expected, Gwen experienced guilt. At least that pressure behind her eyes began lessening. She started to apologize for her tone, but Aiden held up a hand to silence her.

"Not long... I don't know. I need to get back to some work. We can talk more later. How much money do you need to get those landlords off your back?" He took out his checkbook and pen.

Gwen knew when she touched a nerve, and she realized she was being a little hard on him. Projecting her own anger. Clearly, he had a vastly different perspective, and different expectations, about this whole thing than she did.

She reached out to touch his hand. It was an automatic response, trying to make a connection with him. "Hey, I think maybe I..." she started.

Aiden drew back, his jaw clenching. "How much?"

Gwen let her hand rest against the cool surface of the table. "I owe them about $5000."

Nodding, Aiden put pen to check. His signature was graceful and looping. Somewhat to her surprise, he made it out for the full amount. This being a business deal, she figured it might be one of those half now, half later situations and she had been fully prepared to fight over it.

A quick jerk, with more force than necessary, ripped the check from the book. He folded it neatly and held it out.

Gwen realized that, though she had yet to sign anything, this was the point where she truly either accepted or rejected this whole thing. Take the check, and she was Aiden Manning's girlfriend. Refuse to take it, and she would still be indebted to Patterson Holdings, but wouldn't be a part of this scheme.

Likely sensing her thoughts, Aiden made no move to sway her either way other than continuing to hold out the little slip of paper that was the key to her financial freedom. Part of her wished he would say something, try to nudge her in one direction. If he did, she knew, she would choose the opposite.