Arranged

by Jennifer Kittredge

  “Nothing too much over here. Actually, I need to run something by you. Do you have a minute?”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “So, I’ve had this business opportunity come up.” I searched for a way to say it without giving Sam’s business proposal away. “I have the opportunity to make two hundred and fifty thousand dollars pretty quickly through a real estate investment, but I don’t know if I should jump on it. The family is losing their home. I can buy the place from under them and sell it for a profit.”

  “Does the family have to get out anyway?”

  “Yes, but I feel bad. I hate to think I’d be the one to push them out faster.”

  “Sydney, if they have to get out, there’s nothing wrong with the business deal. If it’s up for auction or sale or whatever, then you’d be pretty dumb to pass up such an awesome opportunity. You’re not hurting anyone.”

  “I just don’t want to feel like I’ve sold my soul to the devil.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake, Sydney. It’s a business transaction. It’s not illegal. You’re not doing anything wrong. I say go for it. Who in their right mind would pass up two hundred and fifty thousand dollars—besides you and your morality?”

  I hung up, contemplating what my sister had said. I wasn’t doing anything illegal and the money would be life-changing. I’d be able to get out of debt and help Mom more than I was now, plus put some money in savings, which I hadn’t been able to do in years.

  My phone rang again. Apparently, I was popular this morning.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Hey, hon. How are you?”

  “I’m good, Mom. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay. You know me, getting by, doing the best I can.”

  “Yes, you always push through. How was your doctor appointment Friday? I meant to call you yesterday, but I was tied up with clients all day.”

  “I know Saturday is a busy day for you. Honestly, he wants me to have another surgery.”

  “What? Why?”

  “He thinks this will be the last one and will give me a lot of range of motion in my lower back. I want to do it, Syd. I’m tired of not being able to move like I used to, and I’m tired of walking with a cane. He thinks this surgery would give me a lot of my life back.” She paused, then whispered, “I want my life back.”

  “I know, Mom. It’s been a tough few years. How much is the surgery?”

  She let out a long breath, and I found myself holding mine. “Thirty thousand dollars.”

  I don’t say anything for a long time.

  “Syd?”

  “I’m here.”

  “I can make payments.”

  If my conversation with Lauren hadn’t convinced me to take Sam’s deal, this certainly did.

  I spend the rest of my morning on the back porch with Bear, considering my future. Could I pretend to be Sam’s wife for a year without having my heart broken? Like a moth to a flame, the attraction I already felt for him was intense. My body responded to him in ways I’d never experienced before. In the end, I had a feeling I would be burned.

  Finally, when I’d had enough of my company and my nerves seemed at snapping point, my phone rang again. This time, it was Sam. My heartrate accelerated just by seeing his name across my screen.

  “Hey, Sam.”

  “Sydney. I wanted to check on you. I know I threw a lot at you last night. How are you?”

  “Honestly, I’m okay. Weighing the pros and cons of being Mrs. Andrews.” I twirled a string of hair nervously between two fingers.

  “Ah, yes, Mrs. Andrews. It does have a nice ring to it.”

  “It’s a lot to sift through. We’d really have to iron out so many details.”

  “I know, and we would. Are you open for dinner tonight? We could try to talk some of this out face to face.”

  “Actually, I’m still in my pj’s. You know me, I love my pj’s”

  “Why don’t I come over and bring something to eat? We’ll talk on your turf instead of mine.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Okay, see you in about an hour.”

  Prompt as ever, he knocked on my door an hour later. God, this man was absolutely dazzling to look at. There were those damn somersaults again, cavorting around when my stomach was already tied into a stress knot without their antics.

  “I hope you like Thai,” he said and leaned down to kiss my cheek.

  “I like food, Sam.”

  “You do, don’t you?”

  Just then, Bear came bounding in from the back deck. This would definitely be a test. If Sam didn’t like Bear, there’d be no way in hell I could marry him for a year. That dog was my life. He went wherever I went.

  To my surprise, Sam bent down, letting Bear into his arms.

  “Hey there, big boy, how are you?”

  Bear was all too happy to let Sam pet him, wagging his tail to show his approval.

  “Traitor.” I leant down, rubbing Bear’s head.

  “Hey, I have a way with dogs. They love me.”

  “I see that. Come on, this way to the kitchen.”

  I put the bags of Thai food on the counter and took two plates from the cabinet, and we served ourselves generous helpings.

  “You bought enough to feed an army.”

  “I know. I didn’t know what you liked so I decided a little bit of everything was my best bet.”

  We took our plates out back and sat comfortably at the patio table. My back yard was my little piece of heaven where I spent most of my time when I was home.

  “Tell me about your reservations to my proposition.”

  “Where do I begin? First, I don’t know how we pull this off and convince everyone that the Bay’s most notorious bachelor has turned in his wayward ways to marry me. I mean, come on. Look at the women you’ve been with, Sam. No one will believe that you fell in love with me. Second, if I do go through with this—and I haven’t said I will, but if I do—you’d have to give up that lifestyle for the year or so we are together. No other women while we are together. I don’t want to be the laughing stock of Tampa because my husband is running around on me. Third, how do we convince everyone we’re an actual couple? What about my house? Do I move in with you? How do we do this and make it convincing?”

  Sam exhaled slowly, running his hand through his hair.

  “So, a year or so of celibacy—that’s one of the stipulations?”

  “Yes, Sam, it is. Otherwise my answer is no,” I said firmly.

  He reached for my hand, rubbing his thumb gently over the top of my skin as if to reassure me. My body reacted immediately to his touch, a warm heat running up my spine. When his eyes met mine, the intense emeralds held certainty and truth behind them. They said the eyes were the window to the soul…if that was the case, I felt as though I could see his, so I believed him when he said he’d remain faithful.

  “I can give you that, Sydney. I only ask the same of you.”

  “Seriously? Like you even have to ask. I’ve spent the last year in my pj’s, remember? You don’t have anything to worry about.” I removed my hand from his. The intensity of his touch felt as though it was burning my skin.

  “My grandfather’s health is declining daily. He’s been struggling for the last year and the doctors gave him six months to a year to live. He’s eighty-nine, sharp as a tack, but his heart is failing him. As for convincing everyone I fell in love with you, that won’t be a problem. Sydney, you fail to see how beautiful you are. I will be the most doting husband there has ever been. People will be jealous of us. Don’t worry. We’d be on full display, of course, so that everyone knows we are exclusive, then in about a month, I will pop the question. That is, if you say yes.”

  I let out a sigh. “Would I move in with you?”

  “Yes. I figure once are engaged, we can begin that process. I’d like to have you in my house within the next two months. Bear is, of course, welcome. You can keep your house—maybe even rent it—so when all of this is over and we part ways,
it’s still here for you.”

  Pushing aside the loud alarm bells going off in my head, I jumped in before I was able to use one of my many good excuses to say no.

  “Okay. I’ll do it.” I couldn’t believe I’d actually said the words out loud. What have I done? I felt as though I’d stepped into some sort of twilight zone. I just said yes to an arrangement that would probably break me in the end. A year from now, I would regret this decision.

  “You will? You’re serious?”

  “I’m serious, Sam. I’ll help you out.”

  I didn’t mention he’d be helping me out just as much as I would help him. In two months, I could pay for my mom’s surgery in cash, so we wouldn’t have that burden of monthly payments or the weight of another debt upon us.

  “Wow. I never really thought you’d say yes.”

  “Well, I’m saying it. Don’t make me change my mind.” My palms were sweaty, and I knew my life had changed dramatically with this one decision.

  Sam stood up and took me in his arms, hugging me tightly. “Thank you, Sydney. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  We spent the remainder of the evening hashing out details of our proposition. Sam would have his attorney, Gabe, draw up contracts in the morning. Gabe would be the only person to know about our business agreement, and things would begin to move quickly after the contracts were signed. Sam and I would be seen out and about often, so that people would begin to recognize us as a couple.

  In a month, he’d propose, and we’d move to the wedding two months after that. Of course, I’d have to meet his family during this time. We’d have to play it off that we were in love in front of them and everyone else, for that matter. That whole scenario made me extremely nervous, but the money would be life-changing, not only for me, but also my mom. I was so sick of the constant struggle in our lives. So sick of it, in fact, it seemed I was willing to sell my soul to change it.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, I had some new clients to show around Hyde Park, a lovely couple looking to purchase, moving in from Boston. They kept me busy for most of the day, which meant they’d helped to keep my mind off the night ahead. When I left the office at the end of my day, I drove straight to Sam’s. Tonight, I’d meet Gabe, and we’d sign our contracts over dinner. Mom was at my house with Bear, and I suppressed a twinge of guilt. I’d never outright lied to her before, but I realized I’d better get used to it. I’d kept it vague, so she thought I had some late-night clients.

  Wait until she meets Sam. She’ll be speechless for the first time in her life.

  I pulled up to Sam’s around six, and Jon was waiting outside. Opening my door, he took my hand, helping me out of the car.

  “Good evening, Ms. Alexander. It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Hi, Jon. It’s nice to see you too.”

  “Mr. Andrews is in his office. I’ll let him know you’ve arrived. Would you like something to drink?”

  “Actually, I would. I’d love a glass of something white and crisp please.”

  “I’ll walk you out back and then get your drink.”

  I followed him inside and through to the back patio. God, the view was amazing. This would be my life for the next year or so, I reminded myself, drawing in a deep breath to settle the queasiness that had snuck in. I’d get to enjoy this view every single day. That had to be a plus, right? My nerves were starting to get the best of me, so I startled when Jon came back with my wine.

  “Thanks, Jon. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem at all. Mr. Andrews will be right out.”

  I took a long, slow sip of my wine. I needed to get a handle on my nerves. Clutching my glass like a life preserver, I walked out onto the dock. Being near the water always calmed me, but today, peace seemed to linger just out of reach. I stood there, staring sightlessly at the calm surface and second-guessing the arrangement I was getting myself into. Could I really go through with this?

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “Oh! You scared me.” I nearly spilled my wine.

  Sam leaned down and kissed me tenderly on the lips. I was taken completely off guard by his actions, although it didn’t take me long to relax and open for him. Our kiss deepened, and my pulse accelerated furiously along with it. Sam pulled away first, leaving me off balance.

  “I figured we’d better start our charade since my staff will be the ones closest to us.” His voice was low and sexy and his gaze intense. He ran his hand through his hair, something I noticed he did when he felt less confident than normal.

  “Of course,” I said automatically, shaken by the intimate moment and sure that my every thought—and uncertainty—was etched on my face in a bemused expression.

  There was no way I would get through this next year without feeling something for this man. My heart might actually be broken at the end of it. In fact, I knew with a kind of terrible clarity that my heart would be broken. Sam was a bachelor. He loved his life as a bachelor. This was just another business deal to him, nothing more. Me on the other hand…for the first time, I faced the truth that I didn’t know how I could keep my emotions out of it.

  Sam took my hand as we wandered back to the house.

  “The contracts are all drawn up. Are you ready to sign?”

  “Yes,” I replied shyly, my voice a little thick with the welter of emotions that swarmed in.

  “Good. Let’s go to my office. Gabe’s in there. I want you two to have some privacy, so you can ask him any questions you might have, then I’ll show you around the place.”

  We walked into Sam’s office and Gabe made his way toward me.

  “Hello, Sydney.”

  “Hello.” My eyes took a moment to adjust to the sight in front of me.

  Damn, were all Sam’s friends as hot as he was? Gabe was tall and well built, with lean muscles, dirty blonde hair, and light-blue eyes. He had to be be six-foot-tall and like a surfer in his casual khaki pants and polo shirt.

  “I’ll leave you two for a few minutes.”

  As the door closed quietly behind Sam, Gabe gestured for me to sit.

  “Are you comfortable with the arrangement, Sydney? This is your opportunity to ask me any questions you might have. There’s a non-disclosure agreement, so this arrangement stays between the three of us. Contracts will be locked in my office safe, but if you need one, you will have access.”

  “What happens if I break the contract?”

  “Good question. Let me show you.”

  Handing me a copy of the contract, he had me turn to the second page.

  “Half way down the page, you’ll see that there is a no-penalty clause. You’ll receive your monthly stipend. Sam also wants you to receive the two hundred and fifty thousand, which is very generous.”

  “I feel as though I’m selling my soul.” It sounded dramatic, even to my ears, but Gabe surprised me with a simple shrug that made me feel less anxious.

  “I understand. But if you think about it, you’re both helping one another out. I’m sure you have your reasons for saying yes. You don’t appear to be money hungry, and Sam is a good man. He doesn’t do anything without thinking it all through. He must really trust you, because he’s not let anyone this close to him in a long time. We’ve been friends since college, so I know him better than anyone. You’ve made quite an impression on him.”

  I kept my eyes on the contract, afraid to meet his gaze.

  “Thank you. What is your opinion of this whole arrangement?” For some reason, that seemed important. I wasn’t sure why, though, unless I needed, on some level, for someone to assure me I hadn’t lost my mind.

  “Honestly, as his attorney, it’s not any of my business. He hires me to work for him. This isn’t a bad business deal, though. He’s doing it for the right reasons. As his friend, I want to see Marcus get it handed to him. The guy’s a complete asshole, pardon my language. Wait till you meet him. You’ll understand why Sam’s doing this.”

  Just then Sam, entered the r
oom.

  “How’s it going?”

  “It’s going just fine, my old friend. Isn’t that right, Sydney?”

  “Yes. Just fine.”

  “Are you two ready to sign?”

  The contracts were simple enough. I’d be Sam’s wife for a year or more, we’d both remain “faithful” to each other, if either of us strayed the contract would be void, and there was a non-disclosure agreement. I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone about our arrangement, and if I did, Sam would void the contract immediately. I’d be paid twenty thousand dollars each month until we were divorced, with a guaranteed lump sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars if the deal took less than a year.

  His assets were obviously protected within the contract. I would not receive any part of them when it came time to separate. After the divorce, I would still be bound by the non-disclosure agreement. We’d simply part ways amicably, stating we were better off friends than husband and wife. Simple enough. Except for the feelings that were beginning to take root deep within me. I didn’t think I would come out of our arrangement unscathed.

  When we’d finished with the contracts, we said good-bye to Gabe who had declined dinner, saying he had a hot date. Sam showed me around the house. The views from each room were breathtaking with the bay always in view as we made our way through the house. I’d have to get use to this kind of luxury.

  “Are you okay, Sydney? You haven’t said a word.”

  “I’m just trying to wrap my brain around all of this. My life is going to change dramatically, Sam.”

  “I know. I’ll help you adjust, I promise. You’ll see, it won’t be so bad. Think of it as an adventure. We like each other’s company, so that’s a bonus.”

  “Yes, that is a bonus. Imagine if we couldn’t stand each other.”

  Sam took my hand and turned me slowly around to face him. Looking me directly in the eyes, his eyes sparked with an intensity that took my breath away.

  “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you’re doing for me. I know you’re giving up a lot, and I appreciate it.”

  I stared back at him. He really was an exquisite creature, but it wasn’t just his looks that made me think this. As I spent more time with Sam, I saw a different side of him, one that he didn’t show the rest of the world. I wondered how I could possibly keep my heart in check.