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I can’t help but wonder, is this all an act? I sure know I’m playing a part.
As much as I should be flattered by his offer, I feel nothing.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I blurt out.
Andrew’s brow creases. “Why wouldn’t I? We’re going to be married.”
“Yes, but you don’t know me.”
He crosses his arms. “So, you’d rather be treated like shit because we’re strangers? It’s just common decency, Aria.”
It’s the first time I’ve heard him say my name. And again, it does nothing to me.
I keep expecting a familiar flutter in my chest, a rush of excitement. But as I stand here, there’s no inexplicable spark.
It’s not like how I feel with Dion, and it leaves me with a sense of disappointment. Will I ever have a connection like that again?
The corners of my mouth curl down. “I guess not. Sorry, I’m just having a hard time with all of this.”
He lets out a sigh. “I understand. This isn’t my ideal scenario, either. But I have to protect my family.” Andrew’s gaze seems a little more distant now. I wonder what his story is. From what I’ve heard through the grapevines, his father passed away when he was young. He has no other siblings. It’s just been him and his mother for most of his life.
“Was the marriage your idea?”
He shakes his head. “Your father made me a proposition I couldn’t refuse,” he responds, not giving away too much. I decide to pry anyway.
I place my drink on a side table and pull out two stools. I sit on one of them, gesturing for Andrew to do the same.
“What could my father possibly offer you? It can’t be his estate or business, given he already has a male heir.”
“It has nothing to do with your family.” He takes a sip from his glass, staring out toward the rows of plants and flowers in front of us.
“So, what is it? My father won’t tell me anything and I have the right to know. There shouldn’t be any secrets between husband and wife,” I say pointedly.
Andrew smiles. “You’re a cheeky one, aren’t you?” I grin back at him. This isn’t so bad. There might not be any love between us, but if there’s friendship, I think I could do this.
And who knows? Maybe love could grow. Andrew is an attractive, pleasant man.
“He promised financial stability for my mother.”
I furrow my brow. “I thought your family had generational wealth?”
“We do. But if I leave this earth, my mother will be left with nothing. I’m the last of the Galanis name and we’re not from a prominent family.” Something flashes across his face but disappears before I can make it out.
“And he promised you that how?”
“That’s what I can’t tell you,” he responds in a playful tone, meeting my gaze with a smirk.
I let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I’ll get you to crack eventually.”
Andrew winks at me. “Game on.”
We keep chatting for a while until we hear a knock at the door.
“Come in!” I holler.
The door beeps open and my mother’s head pokes through the door, covering her eyes. I laugh. What did she think we were doing? “The coast is clear, Mama.” I roll my eyes.
“We didn’t want to interrupt, but Cora is getting tired.” Cora, that’s it. Mrs. Galanis waves sleepily behind my mother.
