Marry Me, Mendoza!

by Judy Duarte

  “I hate to put a damper on things,” Miguel said, “but I’d like you to have a talk with your parents.”

  “About what?”

  He poured himself a glass of orange juice, then leaned against the counter. “About our marriage.”

  “What about it?”

  “I want you to tell them the truth.”

  Her tummy tossed and lurched. “Even if it means that I’d have to sacrifice Castleton Boots?”

  “First off, I don’t think you’d lose the company.”

  “But I very well could. So why take the chance?”

  “Because, if you can’t level with them, then you’re playing games—with them and with me.”

  She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “I’m not playing games with you.”

  “How can I be sure that you won’t someday? For some reason, you’re afraid to challenge your parents, especially your dad. And it’s easier for you to go behind his back. What kind of relationship is that?”

  The only one she knew. Besides, what kind of relationship did she and Miguel have? She’d be damned if she knew. And he wasn’t talking.

  So ask him, a small voice urged.

  Yeah, right. And have him remind her of their business deal? Have him tell her that he’s going to use the money to open a nightclub, to be out every night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays?

  The ultimate bachelor had certainly chosen the perfect career.

  “My relationship with my parents is none of your business.”

  Miguel crossed his arms. “Your reluctance to confront them when they’re wrong or intruding in your life is proof that you’ve never grown up. You might dress like a twenty-six-year-old executive, but you’re still that sixteen-year-old girl hoping Daddy will buy her a car if she studies hard and gets good grades.”

  Nicole wanted to scream. To cry. To shake her fists and order Miguel out of her house.

  Instead she squared her shoulders, determined to put some distance between them while she wrapped her mind around his accusations—especially since she had to admit there might be more than a bit of truth to them.

  “You know,” she said, scanning the kitchen in search of her purse and spotting it near the telephone, “I hate to cut this conversation short, but I’ve got to go to the office for a couple hours.”

  “It’s Saturday. I think you’re just making an excuse to avoid confronting me, too.”

  She hated that he was right. And that he knew that she knew.

  “Then I guess I have some soul searching to do,” she said, as she snatched her purse and prepared to leave the house.

  “So do I.”

  Then he walked out, beating her to it.

  Chapter Twelve

  After Miguel had left the condo and the front door had snapped shut behind him, Nicole paced the kitchen floor.

  She stopped long enough to rake her fingers through the top strands of her hair and tried to sort the truth from the lies.

  Bottom line? She loved Miguel—and probably always had. But it seemed easier to let him go than to admit to him just how much he meant to her, only to risk learning that his love for her had died years ago. And that what she’d seen or thought she’d seen in his eyes had only been an illusion, something she’d dreamed up.

  It would kill her to watch him walk away with a spring in his step, a copy of the divorce decree in his hand and her personal check in his wallet.

  But he was asking her to man up—or woman up, if you will—and go to her parents, to admit that she’d deceived them.

  For some reason, you’re afraid to challenge your parents, especially your dad. And it’s easier for you to go behind his back.

  He’d been right. She never had liked going head-to-head with her father, when she knew going in to either the boardroom or his study that she’d ultimately lose.

  But hadn’t she lost already?

  She’d certainly lost Miguel when she’d been younger. She’d even lost bits and pieces of herself over the years each time she rolled over, swallowed her pride or went with the flow.

  You might dress like a twenty-six-year-old executive, Miguel had said, but you’re still that sixteen-year-old girl hoping Daddy will buy her a car if she studies hard and gets good grades.

  Nicole had wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong. But the truth had stunned her into realizing who she’d become, both inside and out.

  Sure she had a closet full of fashionable clothes suitable for a woman of her social status. Yet while she actually enjoyed dressing for success, there were days when she would have liked going into the office in a pair of comfortable old jeans, dressed up by a stylish pair of Castleton Boots. But her father had insisted that she had to look the part of a corporate exec if she wanted people to take her seriously.

  Most people did.

  It was her father who didn’t.

  So she’d gone along with his request, telling herself that when she became the CEO, she’d ease up on the office dress code.

  But now that the whole marriage scheme had fallen apart, it wasn’t a question of when she’d become the CEO but if.

  The way she saw it, she had two options. She could either tell her parents the truth about the marriage deception or Miguel would walk out on their deal. But if he did that, she’d be forced to admit that her father had been right all along, that she hadn’t known Miguel well enough. And for that reason, their renewed romance hadn’t lasted much longer than the weeklong honeymoon.

  The more she thought about it, the angrier she got—at her father for being so unreasonable and controlling. And at Miguel for having the audacity to issue an ultimatum like he’d just done. In doing so, he’d treated her like a child, just as he’d accused her father of doing.

  But she was also angry at herself for not taking control of her own life earlier. And for letting the two men she loved most in the world think they could use her love for them to force her hand. It might have worked in the past, but it wouldn’t happen again.

  From this day forward, Nicole would think and speak for herself. And if things went down badly, today or in the future, at least it would be on her own terms.

  With that decided, she grabbed her purse off the counter and reached inside for her keys. Then she went out into the garage and climbed into her car. It was time to visit her parents and to let them know that she wasn’t a little girl anymore.

  Minutes later, she parked in front of her parents’ estate. In the past, she might have waited for a moment, bolstering her courage, pondering her speech. But not today.

  She made her way to the front door with a determined step. She might lose Miguel and the company, but she’d be damned if she’d lose any more of herself.

  When she reached the front door, she rang the bell, then let herself in. “Mom? Dad? It’s me.”

  Her mother entered the marble-tiled foyer first, wearing neatly pressed black slacks, a cream-colored silk blouse and a smile. “Hi, honey. What a nice surprise.”

  Nicole had no time for small talk. “Mom, I need to talk to you and Daddy. Is he here?”

  Before her mother could respond, her father spoke from the top of the circular staircase. “Yes, I’m here. What’s wrong?”

  Nicole squared her shoulders. “I have a confession to make, and I think it’s best if you both sit down.”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Mom said. “I knew it. I didn’t want to ask you before, but I suspected it all along. You’re pregnant. That’s the reason for the quick wedding, isn’t it?”

  “Well, at least they made it legal,” her father said, as he made his way downstairs. “And she’s not showing. We can be thankful for that.”

  “Relax,” Nicole said, crossing her arms and bracing herself for the showdown. “I’m not pregnant. But I ha
ve to admit, I’m a little surprised by your reactions. After all, you were so eager to become grandparents that you forced me into marriage.”

  “We did no such thing,” her mother said.

  “Actually,” Nicole corrected, “you backed me into a corner. But that’s my fault.”

  “What are you talking about?” her father asked.

  Okay, so they wanted the explanation before gathering in the living room and taking a seat. She could deal with that. They’d just have the showdown here in the foyer.

  Nicole shifted her weight to one hip. “After learning that I had to be married to take control of the company, I went looking for Miguel. And I paid him to marry me.”

  Her mother gasped. “I can’t believe you’d stoop to something so low.”

  “Now just wait one minute.” Nicole raised her index finger and pointed it at them both. “You were the ones who made the first ‘stoop.’ I just responded in a knee-jerk reaction. And you were right, Daddy. Miguel and I were young before. And we really didn’t know each other as adults. But over the course of what began as a marriage of convenience, I realized that what had started out as a sham became real for me. I still love Miguel—with all my heart and soul.”

  “How does he feel about you?” Mom asked.

  Nicole wished she could say that he felt the same way, but she wasn’t sure. He had once upon a time. Did he still?

  Yet even if he did, she had no idea how he’d feel, how he’d react after she let him have it. Because the confrontation with her father wasn’t the only one she meant to have today.

  Either way, while she was tempted to continue the facade and take the easy way out, she wouldn’t.

  No more lies and half-truths. And no more avoidance.

  “I’m not sure how Miguel feels,” she admitted. “I think he loves me. I hope so. Either way, I’m going to try and make a go of our marriage. And I came here to tell you that you’ll either accept Miguel with open arms—just as his family has accepted me—or you won’t be seeing very much of me in the future.”

  “You don’t have to threaten us,” Dad said. “Your mother and I were only trying to look out for you. But to tell you the truth, Nicole, I’m not convinced that the Mendoza kid loves you. After all, you told me yourself that you offered him money to marry you. And he accepted it, didn’t he? That just goes to show you what kind of man he is.”

  “Miguel can’t be bought. He turned me down flat the first time I asked him. I had to beg him and remind him of a promise he once made. He’s an honorable man, Dad.”

  Her father let out a “Humph,” then added, “Need I remind you how much money our family has? He stands to be very wealthy if he sticks by you, even if it’s just for a couple years.”

  Ouch. At this point, the old Nicole might have backed down, might have slumped her shoulders, clamped her mouth shut.

  But not the new Nicole.

  “I’m not going to say it again, Dad. You and Mom will accept Miguel and our marriage. And if you don’t, I’ll walk away from Castleton Boots. Because you were right—a life that’s all about work is no life at all. If I have to start over from scratch, I will. But I’ll be starting over with Miguel—if he’ll have me.”

  It was a bold stand, but one she was willing to make. Besides, she had to admit that her mom and dad might have been right about her priorities. She did need to reconsider the things she found most important in life.

  “Nicole,” her father began, “don’t get your dander up. I’ll have my attorney draft a new document first thing Monday morning. I’ll be handing over the reins to you and cutting out the marriage stipulation. No matter what you and Miguel decide, your mother and I will accept him. It’ll just take a little time for me to get used to, that’s all.”

  “What’s there to get used to?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s been hard enough seeing you grow up and make a life of your own. Knowing that there’s another man taking my place, well, that won’t be easy.”

  She blew out a sigh, confused at his faulty logic. “Then why did you insist upon me getting married?”

  “That was your mother’s doing. She’s the one who wanted to see you happy and with a family before she died. And I just...well, I went along with it.”

  Nicole shot a glance at her mom, who managed a wistful smile. “Would it be okay with you if I planned a small wedding reception for you and Miguel? I’d always dreamed of... Well, everything happened so fast.”

  “I’ll have to talk it over with Miguel,” she said. But if he intended to go through with a divorce, there wouldn’t be anything to celebrate.

  “By the way,” her dad said, “tell that young man that I’ll even give him a position in the company.”

  That was quite an admission, coming from Andy Castleton. And it pleased her to be able to say, “Miguel won’t take it, Dad. He’d never be happy working for Castleton Boots. Besides, he’s got his heart set on opening a nightclub.”

  And now that she’d gotten things settled with her parents, she wondered if there was anything else Miguel might have his heart set on.

  * * *

  What a jerk.

  Miguel had driven around town aimlessly for the past fifteen minutes, only to come to the conclusion that he’d been way out of line. What in creation had compelled him to provoke a fight with Nicole this morning—of all mornings?

  He’d just spent the most amazing night in her arms, reliving sweet memories and making new ones. And then dawn rolled around. He hadn’t needed to ask her if the sex had been good for her. He’d known beyond all doubt that it had been better than either one of them had remembered or dreamed of.

  There was, of course, the other standard question that usually followed a couple’s first night of lovemaking: Now what?

  He should have told her how he felt, what he hoped the future would bring. Instead, he’d let past hurts and disappointments run away with him, and he’d made a complete mess of everything.

  Trouble was, he’d been carrying a chip on his shoulder ever since her dad told her to break up with him—and she’d gone along with that order. And that anger had festered over the years.

  So when he started thinking about his feelings for her, about wanting to give their marriage a chance, he realized the only thing that had come between them in the past had been her father. And that as long as she was reluctant to stand up to the man, then Miguel would never be a priority in her life.

  And he refused to come in second to her daddy.

  At that point, he had to know if she could break free of the hold Andy had on her, as well as the need to please him no matter what. And so Miguel had thrown down the gauntlet, so to speak, testing the waters. Testing her.

  When she had grabbed her purse, planning to walk away rather than even talking about it, he’d lost it and left before she had the chance to.

  Still, he shouldn’t have said the things he did. And after coming to grips with the fact that he owed her an apology, if not a heartfelt confession, he’d driven back to her house.

  Only now that he was here, she was gone. And he couldn’t tell her what he should have said earlier.

  But what should he have told her? That he loved her? That he always had, always would?

  Hell, he wasn’t sure where a profession like that would lead, especially now that he’d stirred everything up.

  But the truth was, he wanted more than a business deal with Nicole. He wanted the real deal. And if that meant courting her and dating her...

  Then that’s what he’d have to do.

  And if she broke his heart all over again, then that was a risk he’d have to take—assuming that she didn’t want to end it all right now, especially after the can of worms he’d opened this morning.

  He’d no more than taken a seat in her living room w
hen the doorknob clicked and the door swung open.

  He turned, glad it was her—until he saw the fire in her eye. He meant to apologize—he really did.

  But before he could get a word out, she lifted her index finger and pointed it at him like a schoolmarm on a mission. “I have a few words to say to you. First of all, don’t ever issue an ultimatum like that to me again. You treated me no differently than my father does—or rather than he used to. And I won’t stand for it anymore.”

  Miguel hadn’t realized his comments had come across that way, but before he could utter either an apology or a response, she added, “You had a point, though. And for that reason alone, I drove over to talk to my parents. I told them that our marriage was a sham. And that I would walk away from Castleton Boots before I’d let them force me into doing something I didn’t want to do.”

  Bravo. But was she going to lower her finger? Or give him an opportunity to speak?

  “I also need to thank you,” she added.

  Did he dare ask why?

  “First of all, it felt really good to stand up for myself. So while you were completely out of line, you actually did me a favor. And secondly, you were right. When I told my father he could have the company, that I didn’t want it if it meant I had to sell myself short, he did roll over. On Monday morning, he’s going to have his attorney draw up new documents that make me his successor. I’m going to be the new CEO of Castleton Boots.”

  “That’s great news.” Of course, that meant she wouldn’t need a husband anymore. And while disappointment clouded his hope, it didn’t change the facts or his pride. “I’m happy for you, Nicole. You deserve the position, as well as his respect.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. But that’s not all I have to say. I also have a question for you. And I want an honest answer.”

  “Okay. Shoot.”

  She took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “How do you feel about all of this?”