by Tina Martin
“Then let him back out,” Desmond said, heated. “It’ll be his loss. My marital status doesn’t affect my ability to perform my job. I can’t believe you’re actually worried about it, Dante. If Victor doesn’t want to work with me because I’m single, then he can take his old money and bounce.”
“Wait, hold on, Des,” Dimitrius said. “Old money spends just like new money. We don’t even know how much Victor is offering. Care to enlighten us, Dante?”
“Fifty-million. That’s double of what I thought his offer might be.”
Desmond sighed and rubbed his head, knowing that, as a business, they couldn’t turn down fifty-million dollars. It would be a foolish move to do so. He buried his face in his hands, thought for a moment and asked, “Now what?”
“Now we have to come up with a plan to present you as a married man,” Dante said. “And I hate to do this to you, Des, but I’ve been running through all scenarios in my head and the only thing I can come up with is you and Sherita somehow getting together—”
“Not going to happen.”
“Listen, Des,” Dante said. “I realize you don’t like her, but—”
“You don’t like her?” Dimitrius asked, cocking his head to the side. “What’s not to like about Sherita? She’s great.”
Desmond narrowed his eyes at Dimitrius.
“Des, we can’t walk away from fifty-million dollars,” Dante said.
Desmond shook his head. “Then what are you suggesting I do, Dante? Have dinner with Victor and have Sherita tag along as my fake wife?”
“No. I need you to have dinner with Victor and have Sherita tag along as your real wife.”
Desmond flashed stone, cold eyes at Dante, along with a frown that could frighten a bear. “What?”
“A business man like Victor is very thorough. If he finds out you’re not really married, he’s liable to walk away from the entire deal. I know this is asinine, and you’re right…your marital status shouldn’t matter, but to him it does, and he’s the one with the money.”
Desmond shook his head in disappointment. A fifty-million dollar profit was on the line, and he didn’t want to be the reason why The Champion Corporation couldn’t get their hands on this money. “So let me make sure I understand this. You’re asking me to marry Sherita so Victor can think we’re a real couple.”
“Not only that, Des, but you will have to get to know her a little. I know the old man is going to want to know how you met. He wants to see you interact with her. He wants to see Dimitrius and I interact with our wives. He needs to see genuine couples in love.”
“I don’t care what he wants. This is beyond ridiculous,” Desmond hissed.
“I’m aware of that, but unfortunately, this is where we’re at,” Dante responded.
“And how long are we talking here?” Desmond asked.
“At least five months, and I think it would be best if Sherita lives with you during that time.”
Desmond’s jaw tightened. He’d never allowed a woman inside of his five-bedroom home before, and the thought of one being there, taking up space in the square footage he owned irritated him. “No way.”
“Come on, Des,” Dimitrius said. “Man, you live in a fifty-five hundred square feet house alone. You wouldn’t even know Sherita was there. Just give her a bedroom. Better yet, didn’t you convert your basement into a studio apartment?”
Incensed, Desmond said, “Yeah, Dimitrius. I did, but not for a fake wife to move in. Look, Dante, this simply is not going to work. Even if I did agree to this insidious plan, Sherita won’t agree to it. Our dislike of each other is mutual.”
Dante hid a smirk.
“And why do you not like her again?” Dimitrius asked. “Did something happen Friday night?”
“No. Nothing happened.”
“So why’d you leave early?” Dante inquired again. He’d already asked his brother the question one time before but had been unsatisfied with his answer.
“Had plans,” Desmond said. “Look, I’m sorry to disappoint you both, and I hate that we have to miss out on this money, but—”
“It’ll happen,” Dante told him. “I’ll get Sherita on board. First, I need to know you’re in, Desmond.”
Desmond stood up and interlocked his fingers behind his head. Only he could have this kind of luck. One minute he’s in New York to get away from Sherita and the next, he was worried about having to share his home with her. How would he be able to share the same space with a woman whom he was trying his best to stay away from? After spending a few hours with her on Friday and observing how she handled the children, he’d been impressed. Then there was the matter of him not being able to take his eyes off of her, and barely his lips after the ground-shaking kiss they’d shared.
Dropping his hands, Desmond asked, “Are you sure there’s no way around this. I mean, there has to be something we can do. Maybe we can all sit down and talk to Victor together.”
“Do you really think we should risk doing something like that, Des?” Dimitrius asked. “This is an internal matter, and it needs to be handled internally.”
“Dimitrius is right,” Dante added. “There’s no need to involve the client to settle our issues. Now I need to know if you’re willing to do this or not?”
Frowning, Desmond said, “I guess I have to be. Don’t let anything hold you back from getting what you want…that’s the Champion way, right?” Angrily, he headed for the door, slamming it after he’d exited the office. He’d seen the sacrifices his brothers had made for the company and now, it was his turn to show his loyalty. No matter how bitter the taste in the back of his throat, he had to swallow it. It’s not like he couldn’t handle Sherita. She was practically putty in his hands.
When he was certain Desmond was gone, Dante looked at Dimitrius and asked, “You think he bought it?”
Dimitrius looked up at Dante. “What are you talking about?”
Dante had a good chuckle then said, “Did you see the look on his face? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so angry.”
“What did you do, Dante?”
“I did my little brother a favor…that’s what I did. Victor doesn’t care about Desmond’s marital status. He told me he saw Desmond at the park with his wife and kids and I knew, right away Victor was talking about Sherita and our kids. So instead of clarifying the situation, I left it like it was…left Victor assuming Desmond was married.”
“That’s dirty, Dante.”
“Dirty but necessary. Desmond can front all he wants…you and I both know he got a thing for Sherita. And she’s a good woman. She’s perfect for him.”
“Yeah, man, but you heard him. He said they had a mutual dislike of each other. Why put them under the same roof?”
“Because that’s the only way they will get together. Trust me on this.”
Dimitrius shook his head. “I don’t know. Something isn’t right about this. Think about it…he wasn’t even there when we came back from the concert Friday night. Something must’ve went down between them.”
“No worries. I’ll find out exactly what happened when I talk to Sherita.”
“And you really think Sherita is going to go along with this plan to go through with a legal marriage to Desmond?”
“She will. I’ll convince her to give it a shot. I have a hunch she likes Desmond as much as he likes her, and quite frankly, I’m tired of seeing them play these games. You saw how he was looking at her at your wedding, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. I remember that.”
“Desmond can pretend he doesn’t want marriage and kids and all that, but I’m telling you…it’s an act. He wants those things. You thought you didn’t want to get married and now, look how happy you and Melanie are. And now you have little Grace…she’s breathtaking.”
“And Desmond loves her as if she was his own daughter. Whenever he comes over, his eyes are stalking the house, looking for Grace.”
Dante nodded.
Dimitrius continued, “And, someti
mes, he shows up out of the blue to see her. For a man who doesn’t want children, he sure loves my daughter.” Dimitrius grinned.
“Yep. Now it’s time for him to have one of his own.”
CHAPTER 13
Sherita had just made a cup of green tea when she heard knocks at her door. She wasn’t expecting anyone else tonight. Emily had just left about thirty minutes ago. Had she come back? Did she forget something? She scanned the living room. She hadn’t seen anything Emily could’ve left. Then again, maybe it wasn’t Emily.
Sherita walked up to the door, peered through the peephole and saw Dante standing there. She frowned. Dante? What are you doing here? He’d never been by her apartment before, not even with Emily, but now he was here, alone, suited up like he’d just left the office. She glanced at her watch. It was a few minutes after eight.
Opening the door, trying to hide her disbelief, she said, “Hey, Dante.”
“Hi, Sherita. Forgive me for showing up like this, but I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute.”
“Oh, umm…sure. Come on in,” she said, stepping aside watching him walk inside of her living room. He made her living space look small with his tall stature and build.
“I just made some tea,” she said after watching him sit on the sofa. “Want some?”
“Sure. I’ll take a cup.”
Sherita hurried back to the kitchen, poured Dante a cup of tea and was right back in the living room where he was sitting. “Here you go,” she said, stepping back into the living room, placing the cup on the coffee table in front of him. She joined him on the couch.
“How was your day?” Dante asked her.
Miserable. “It was okay…Emily just left here about a half hour ago.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. We were just chatting about things. Women things. And now, you’re here. What brings you by my humble abode?”
Dante shot her a half smile. He, too, realized this was the first time he’d ever visited her apartment. “Well, I’ve found myself in a bind, and I need your help to get out of it.”
“My…you need my help?” Sherita asked, confused. She had no ties to The Champion Corporation. Why would he need her help?
“Yes. I need your help. We have a multi-million dollar deal on the table and it all hinges upon Desmond.”
Sherita snapped her head back. “And what does that have to do with me?”
“Well, the client we’re partnering with on this project is one of those old-school guys…you know…he likes to do business with stable, family businessmen. I think he’s been married for over twenty-five years, and he views marriage as stability.”
“And what does that have to do with me, again?” she asked in an uncertain, uneven tone.
Dante caught her gaze and smiled. In his opinion, Sherita was perfect for Desmond. And it’s not like he was playing matchmaker. Desmond already expressed interest in her. He was just helping him along the way, thereby helping her. “Wait…let me pause for a moment and ask this…what happened between you and Desmond Friday night?”
“As soon as you guys left, we got into a rocky conversation, then later we went to a park. After that, we came back to your house, fed the babies, ate dinner…argued…I went to sit on the deck to relax…he came out there, and we actually had a nice conversation for a change. Then, out of nowhere, he gets up from the table and heads out the front door. We argued more right before he threw on his helmet and took off.”
“Just out of the blue?”
“Yeah. Pretty much.”
“What were you guys talking about? Do you remember?”
“Umm…right before he stood up and walked away, I had asked him why he’d never been in love.”
“Oh. I see.” Dante thought about it for a moment. He hadn’t thought about it before, but he couldn’t recall an instance where Desmond had ever been locked down with a woman. Had Desmond really never been in love? “Well, here’s the situation. If the deal is going to go through, we need Desmond to be married.”
“What?” she asked frowning.
“And since this businessman in question saw you and Desmond together at a park on Friday, he assumed you were Desmond’s wife, and I’m convinced it’s the only reason we got the contract. Therefore, I need you to agree to marry Desmond.”
Sherita stared at Dante as if he was speaking another language, one in which she couldn’t decipher. “You have got to be kidding me, Dante.”
“Actually, I’m not.”
She shook her head. “Well, I’m sorry, but there’s no way I’m going to marry Desmond. No…way.”
“Sherita—”
“No, Dante. I can’t, and please don’t try to convince me otherwise. Desmond has some serious issues, and I have enough problems in my own life to have to put up with him. I can’t.”
Dante sighed heavily. “Sherita, we’re talking fifty-million dollars here. Do you know what that kind of money will do for The Champion Corporation? I know Desmond can be difficult—”
“Difficult? That’s not a strong enough word to describe Desmond.”
Dante sighed. “You’re right, but we need this to happen.”
Sherita shook her head.
“I’ll even pay you.”
“Pay me?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m thinking a million dollars should suffice.”
“A million dollars,” she said, taken aback at his generous offer. “Dante, I’m not taking any money from you. You are like a brother to me. Emily is one of my best friends…you guys are family to me.”
“Then what do you want? What will it take for you to say yes to this?”
Sherita thought about it for a moment. What did she have to lose by helping her friend’s husband out of a bind? If the tables were turned, Emily would surely do it for her. “Did you already talk to Desmond about this?”
“I did. He’s on board as long as you are.”
Sherita dropped her head and after burying her face in her hands, she said, “I’m sure I’ll regret this, but I’ll do it.”
Ecstatic, Dante leaned over and gave her a hug. “Thank you, Sherita! I really appreciate this.”
“So, what do we need to do to get this done?”
“We’ll discuss it tomorrow over dinner at my house. I have to make the family aware of what’s going on, so they’ll all be there. Then we’ll lay out the details for you and Desmond.”
“Okay. What time tomorrow?”
“About 6:30 p.m. In the meantime, if you could jot down a few things about yourself that Desmond doesn’t already know, that would be great.”
“What kind of things?” she inquired.
“You know…things that someone you’re just meeting might ask over dinner, like where you guys met…how long you’ve been married…that sort of thing. Oh, and by the way, we’re going to say you’ve been married for two years, so keep that in mind.”
“Two years. Got it.”
“I have to run,” Dante said standing, “But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, Dante. See you tomorrow.”
Sherita shook her head. What did she just agree to? How long was this marriage supposed to last? And would she have to live with Desmond? The thought of it gave her a nervous, unsettling feeling in the pit if her stomach.
CHAPTER 14
The following evening, the family met at Dante’s house for dinner. While everyone was assembling around the table, Emily brought over the food. Sherita asked her if she needed help, but she insisted she didn’t.
Sherita interlocked her fingers. Her legs bounced up and down underneath the table. Desmond had not yet arrived, and she was hoping he wouldn’t show up at all. She sighed quietly. The babies were sleeping, so she couldn’t use them as a distraction for her nervousness. So, taking out her cell phone, she saw a voicemail from her mother. She pressed play, then held the phone up to her ear:
Sherita, Thane tells me he’s been trying to reach you, honey. Why don’t you give the man a ca
ll? I’ll talk to you soon.
She felt numb. Moving away from Asheville was becoming more and more appealing. After this marriage nonsense was over, she would do just that. Leave.
“Where’s Desmond?” Melanie asked Dimitrius quietly, but loud enough for Sherita to hear her.
Dimitrius shrugged. “Not sure.”
“Okay, I think that is everything,” Emily said, standing by the table, scanning the food she’d placed there.
“Smells good, baby,” Dante told her.
Emily glanced at him and smiled. Then she leaned down and left a kiss on his cheek.
“Smells like I got here right on time,” Desmond said as he walked into the dining room.
Sherita didn’t want to look up, but his voice had commanded her attention. So, she slid her cell phone back inside of her purse then looked up at him, swallowing the lump in her throat. The man was so fine, he made her squint. Made her body lock up. She didn’t know it was possible for him to look any better, but every time she saw him, it seemed he did. With his five o’clock shadow on deck, he sauntered into the room wearing a white short-sleeve Polo, displaying his muscular arms and a pair of dark-wash jeans.
Sherita’s eyes shifted to the expensive-looking watch on his wrist that had her noticing the hair on his arms and his large hands – hands that looked like they could crush an aluminum can with hardly any effort. Yet, she remembered those same hands resting against her face while he kissed her. The memory flooded her mind and made her body shiver.
“Good evening, everybody,” Desmond said, taking the seat across the table from Sherita.
“Good evening, Desmond,” Melanie said.
“How are you doing today Desmond?” Emily asked her temperamental brother-in-law.
