Lib Novel Page 54
It’s almost late afternoon when I drive back to the office after dropping Dad off at his home. His new caretaker, Kai, is already with him. After interviewing the three candidates, I arranged for Kai and Dad to meet, and as expected, they instantly hit it off.
Kai is the youngest of seven siblings, and in his free time, he performs with his band at local restaurants. I’m sure his fun and approachable personality comes in handy in his job as a nurse.
When I reach the office, I find Charles standing in front of my desk, or more precisely, in front of the purple tray holding several menus from restaurants on the approved list by his security team.
An unruly strand of hair drops onto his forehead as he looks between the two menus in confusion. I clear my throat and he looks up.
“Thank God you’re here. How’s—”
“I’m in, Charles. If your proposal is still open, I’m ready to be your wife.”
13
FAKE WIFE VS LOUSY ASSISTANT
CHARLES
“I’m in, Charles. If your proposal is still open, I’m ready to be your wife.”
The same kind of relief washes over me as I’d feel after a good Aikido session with my trainer, but it goes away immediately when she jerks her head toward my office door.
“You probably want me to sign some papers.”
I drop the menus on her desk and lead her into my office. Instead of going for the envelope that’s been sitting on my desk since the minute I first made her the proposal, I ask, “What changed your mind?”
Daisy takes a seat across from me. “Yesterday, you asked me what I really needed, and this is all I need right now.”
“And what about wanting love?” I should be feeling ecstatic that I’m finally closing this deal, but why does happiness feel like remorse today?
“If love is made of people like Jax, I think I’m better without it.” A dry laugh slips out of her mouth.
“And what about having a marriage like your parents?”
She pauses until a painful smile tugs on her lips. It’s uncomfortable to watch for some reason.
“I think one has to have wished on a dozen shooting stars to have that kind of love in their lives. Not all dreams come true, Charles, and I’m okay with that. There’s a reason they’re called dreams and not reality.”
Those words hit a foreign nerve in my chest. In making my own dream come true, I’m ripping her away from any chance of finding her own.
I slide a paper across the desk and place my Hawthorne crest pen on top. “Since love is off the table, I want you to make a list of things I can give you. A lifetime supply of colorful sticky notes. Fur slippers in every imaginable animal.”
“Don’t tempt me, boss. You might end up regretting telling me that.” She snorts, and I realize the absence of her smile affects me more than I thought.
“Do you have a minute? Because I’d like to seal this deal fast.”
“A minute? How can I write all my wishes down in one minute?” Daisy lets out a whoosh of air.
“Chop, chop, Cinderella. You already lost a few seconds.” I tap my wristwatch.
“Asshole!” she mumbles.
Since she’s so busy scribbling, I don’t have to worry about her catching my grin.
As the sixty seconds pass, I look up from my watch. “Time’s up.”
Daisy raises her head but then goes back to finishing whatever she was writing.
“Hey.” I get up from my chair and circle around the desk until I’m standing above her. “That’s not fair play.”