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I walk into the apartment and snap the door shut behind me. “How was your day?”
“It started poorly since someone went behind my back and spoke with my boss.”
Her gaze fixes on me, and I know she’s not pleased. “Does that mean you didn’t enjoy working from home?”
“I felt like a prisoner since the decision was made without my consent.”
“If I tell you it was for your own good, will that help?”
“No!” She spins around and walks into the kitchen.
Following her slowly, I accept that my heavy-handed approach wasn’t appreciated. “I heard Gianna stopped by for a visit.”
“Did you also hear she’s helping me choose a husband?”
“A what?” My blood runs cold.
“A mate. You know that person who stands beside you and makes promises about fidelity and whatnot.”
“Why would she do that?” She hands me a bowl filled with ice cream. “It makes no sense.”
“Sure it does.” She puts the cartons of ice cream in the freezer, takes her bowl, and strides out of the small room.
I count to ten and then follow her into the living room. “Did you pick one?”
“Not yet.” She points her spoon toward a laptop. “But it was fun to play Bratva Tinder. I swiped until my fingers fell off and think we narrowed it down to twelve strong candidates.”
“Is that so?” I sit beside her and cross my leg over my knee. “An even dozen.”
“Sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it?” She shakes her head. “I had no idea how far people would go to get control of the money. Gianna painted a stark picture, which was enough to change my mind about matrimony.” Licking the back of her spoon, she lets out a sigh. “So arranged marriage it is.”
“You make it sound as appealing as eating bugs.”
“Did you know many cultures consider insects a healthy option for protein?”
“Yes. But that doesn’t make me want to eat ants or crickets.”
“Me either. But here I am…ready to enter an institution much of the world celebrates.” She eats a bite of ice cream. “I have not had a conventional life by any stretch of the imagination. But this latest development is a doozy. I have never been in love or had a relationship that lasted more than a few months, but in a matter of days, I’m supposed to fake marry a stranger so I won’t get kidnapped.” Her spoon clatters into the bowl. “If my brain doesn’t explode before it happens, I will consider it a huge win.”
I set the ice cream bowl on the coffee table and lean back. “I will marry you, Lina.”
“Why?” She shifts away and frowns.
“Because I am the best man for the job.” She places the bowl next to mine and stands. “No one will harm you if we’re married.”
“I’d rather pick someone else.” She walks to the window. “For a second, I thought you might be the best choice, but have since decided that confusing physical desire with real feelings is too dangerous.”
“Physical desire is a real feeling.”
“There are many psychologists that would say it’s fleeting at best. And I don’t want to fall in love with you accidentally and slide into the abyss of unrequited love. I can only handle so many challenges at once, and having my life threatened while nursing broken dreams would be one too many.”
“Many relationships start with attraction and then build into something lasting.”
“True.”
Her expression remains closed. “So you think our chemistry is a problem and not a blessing?”
“Yes, and Gianna agrees since it would undoubtedly muddy the waters. The marriage won’t be permanent and its best chance of success will be if it happens with someone else.”
