AllFreeNovel
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“Come in. Take a seat,” he says.
I sweep my hand to indicate the living space. “Someone has a helluva eye for harmony. Bringing together traditional pieces and making the space eclectic is a talent. Did Evans do it himself?”
“I selected the furniture.”
“Seriously?”
“Mmhm.”
“And the rug?”
“Ah, the rug that ties it all together was my sister’s idea, I’m afraid.”
“Yes, yes, it does tie it all together.”
“I’m still debating the choice. I might dump it for something better later.”
“It's quite perfect, I think.”
“I’ll wear it out soon enough.”
The sun from the open curtains illuminates the left side of his face as he pops open the lemonade bottle and drinks. I get a clear view of his pronounced Adam’s apple as he swallows, then puts the drink on the counter.
He unbuttons the suit jacket, then removes it. His cuff links come off next, and he starts rolling up his sleeves, the corded muscles of his forearms flexing. From his pocket, he gets a golden pen that looks like the silver pen Evans wore clipped to his pocket.
He slides the blue folder toward me, then cracks his neck. “Let’s begin the negotiation.”
I sit across from him. “All that seemed like a preparatory routine of some sort. For a moment there, you looked like you were putting on military gear and going to war.”
He laughs. “I enjoy negotiations.”
“Somehow, I think I need a lawyer.”
Corrado stretches out his left leg so that my chair is between his leg and the bar, effectively caging me in. He rests his arm on his knee and leans in. “A team of the best Manhattan lawyers couldn’t help you. Ask me why.”
I tip my lemonade bottle, thinking how this is the first time I’ve drunk lemonade out of a glass. “Why?” I ask.
“Because they work for me.”
“Surely not all of them do.”
“Not all, angel. Only the best. And the ones who don’t work for me wouldn’t dare challenge those who do.” He opens the envelope, and the first thing I see is the marriage license dated back to the day we met. He signed it. My signature line is empty.
Gently, he picks up the license and moves it away. “First, the contract.” He shows me a single page. “I think you will find the terms to your advantage. My demands are simple. I want you as my wife. And if you are wondering why I picked you out of many, I will tell you. The nature of your character allows me to relax around you. I can’t say that about any of the other women I meet.”
“I think you’re complimenting me, so thank you.” I read the contract. It’s as simple as he said it was. I read it several times in case I missed something, but I didn’t. There’s no catch.
Corrado hands me the pen. “A few weeks. Ten million. Pretend you’re my wife.”
“What’s the catch?” I ask.
“No hard feelings when we part. That’s the catch.”
I shrug as if that’s something I’m not worried about. “None from my end.”
“Then stop stalling. This is happening. We’re coming to an agreement. You’re capitulating, admitting you don’t have all your shit together and that you need help.”
“Oh God. Is it written on my forehead?”
