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I push my unruly curls behind one ear nervously at the look on Chase’s face.
“You already know what I think about your domineering aunt and uncle. I’m sure they were getting something out of the deal. Shit! I bet your uncle thought Tony could influence your decisions about the company once you were married.” Chase leans forward in his chair. “You’d be more likely to agree with whatever they both came up with. That is some cold-blooded shit.”
He runs his hand through his shaggy hair. He probably should have remembered to get it cut again.
“Val, I find it hard to believe you didn’t tell me about this. I haven’t been gone that long.”
“I’m sorry, Chase. You’ve been away, and I wasn’t sure how to tell you. I didn’t want to burden you with my family drama.”
“Val, are you kidding me? You were going to marry someone you hardly know! That’s crazy. Insane!”
“Well, what was I supposed to do? I don’t want to lose my inheritance. If I’m not married within the week, I’ll lose everything. I didn’t feel like I had a choice.”
“Wrong! You always have a choice, Val. Besides, you should have come to me with this. We would have figured something out. Together.”
I blink, “Like what? I’ve read the will. I’ve had my lawyer read the will. There is no loophole, no out. I have to get married if I want the money and stock shares,” I huff. “Besides, I’ve known about this since I was eighteen. I just wasn’t worried. I thought I’d meet someone, we’d fall in love and get married. It... um... just never happened, at least... like I thought it would.”
“Where were you two planning on living after the wedding?”
“Tony wanted to buy a house, but I told him I didn’t want to give up my duplex. So, he said we’d talk more about it after we got back from the honeymoon.”
Chase snorts and mutters, “Honeymoon,” then with a frown, “Val, you are smarter than that. I can’t believe you allowed this Tony guy to talk you into marrying him. How many times have I given you my opinion about your controlling aunt and uncle? Is that the couple I saw chasing after you at the church?”
“Yes. I’m sure my aunt and uncle are unhappy that I backed out.”
“Who gives a shit? You are a grown-ass woman. You’re smart enough to make your own decisions. You need to get those two out of your business and your life. Hell, all four of them. Your aunt, your uncle, your bitch of a cousin, and now this douchebag, Tony.”
“Chase, you make it sound so simple. But I’m not sure how to do that. My uncle runs the business. He makes most of the decisions regarding Carlucci Software.”
“Only until you have controlling interest. Then everyone at the company, including your uncle, will have to dance to your tune, Val.”
“I guess so. But I’d rather be creating software code than running the business.”
“You know, I bet that’s the reason your parents wrote that into their will. I believe they knew that your aunt and uncle would always try to take control of the Carlucci business. They wanted to wait until you were old enough, strong enough and knew enough about the business to take the reins. To keep your uncle from having control.”
“You could be right.” I close my eyes for just a minute, then I open them and look wearily up at Chase, “but that will not happen now, anyway. I just ran away from my only chance of getting married by my birthday.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think I may have a solution.”
“Really! What?”
Three
Chase
“Marry me.”
Val blinks her big dark eyes. She looks stunned.
“Marry you?”
“Well, you don’t have to sound so shocked by the thought.”
“But why would you be willing to do that for me? You don’t need the money. You’re already rich. Your family is worth what now? Billions?”
“What does my being rich have to do with anything? Of course, I’m willing to do this for you. We’re friends, Val. Good friends. We could get married temporarily so that you can collect your inheritance.”
“Chase, the stipulation states I must be married an entire year before I get the money. The stock shares transfer immediately, though.”
