Engaging the Billionaire

by Eliza Boyd

  What she needed was her income back. And maybe a bit of heat. But definitely her income.

  Instead of saying that, she cleared her throat and said, “Yeah.” It was all that could come out. She was exhausted, freezing, and in no position to turn his offer down, even if she wanted to. “Thanks,” she told him once she was out of her car. Then she rubbed her arms for warmth. “I guess I’ll get it towed in the morning.”

  She shivered as she followed him to his Jeep, one of the only cars left in the lot. At two a.m., the bar was officially closed, so she wasn’t surprised. But she hadn’t thought this man was still there. In the end, she was glad he was. The least he owed her was this ride to her house after what he’d done.

  Inside the jeep, he cranked the heat. “Give it a minute,” he said, pressing a few buttons on the console. “The seats will warm up too. If you want to turn it down, it’s this button.” He pointed to it.

  But all she could think was that of course he had seat warmers and a huge SUV that worked on the first turn of the engine. Of course.

  “I’m Evan, by the way. Evan Charleston.”

  “Nicole,” she said, but then she remembered that he’d called her that after the Great Spill. “Nicole Ballinger.”

  He rubbed his hands together and blew into them. “I’m also really sorry about what happened earlier. I was with some friends for a bachelor party, getting drinks at the bar. I hope you didn’t get into too much trouble.”

  As Evan put the car into gear, Nicole thought about how much information to give him. Should she lay it on thick and tell him exactly what had happened to her because of it? Or should she gloss over it and pretend it didn’t happen? The man was being nice enough to give her a ride home at two in the morning. That was enough.

  But that made her wonder… “You’re not a serial killer or anything, right? I didn’t just gamble my life away on a much-needed drive to my house?”

  At the stop sign at the end of the parking lot, he chuckled, holding his hands up in a surrender stance. “Not a serial killer. My daughter would be way too disappointed in me for squirreling away my potential.” Something about that made him laugh even more. “Honestly, what seven-year-old says stuff like that?”

  “She’s only seven?” Nicole asked, pointing in the direction he needed to go. “Saying stuff like that? Whew.” She blew air up at her bangs. “You’re in trouble.”

  His smile fell away as he merged onto the road, and after a moment, his Adam’s apple bobbed in the light of the streetlights overhead. “More trouble than anyone knows,” he said cryptically, quietly.

  The cab of the Jeep was warming up, but Nicole was suddenly more interested in what kind of trouble this man was in. Her trouble was easy: no money meant no care for her father. That was the poor way of life. But this man, with the means to leave his daughter at home while he stayed at the bar until all hours of the morning and his fancy Jeep that had butt warmers? He couldn’t have the same trouble. So what in the world was bugging him?

  “Can’t be worse than mine,” she countered, tucking her hands under her legs to take advantage of the heat there. Without any gloves, she had to make it work.

  Evan did a double take before securing his gaze back onto the road ahead. “Well, you don’t have a hat on, so you’re probably right.” He smirked at that, but the gesture didn’t reach his eyes. It didn’t match the way he’d looked when he’d laughed about his daughter.

  “Well, let’s see…” She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, debating what to tell this man. After weighing her options, she decided to keep quiet. This wasn’t a pity party. Yet, with no one else to vent to, while she had a captive audience—preferably one she’d never see again—the words tumbled out of her mouth anyway. “My insurance wants to charge me more for the same treatment my father’s been getting for a long time now. So does the pharmacy for the prescriptions he’s been taking for the same amount of time. And none of that would be too terrible if I hadn’t also gotten fired tonight on top of it all.”

  That double take happened again, but this time, he watched her longer before gazing back out the windshield. “Oh no,” he said in a low tone. “Was that because of me? I’m so sorry.”

  She shrugged, but in the warmth of his car, with the ability to relax and nothing else to distract her, emotions bubbled up to the surface. The ones she hadn’t allowed herself to feel since her father’s accident came roaring out, so she pulled her feet up onto her seat and buried her face against her legs.

  With one hand, Evan gently soothed her back. “Hey, it’ll be okay. I can help you figure this out.”

  Using her shoulder, she pushed his hand away. Then she sniffled. “I don’t need you to do that.”

  “I don’t mind,” he told her. “Really. This is my fault. And I have a large network of people who would probably love to hire you.”

  At that, she rolled her eyes. “You frequent a lot of bars who need a waitress?” When she turned her head toward him, she noticed in the light that his expression had gone serious.

  “No, I guess not.”

  “Then I can handle it. I always do.” She put the other side of her head on her knees and breathed in deep, watching downtown Denver whiz by in the dark. She’d figure it out—just like always.

  Evan was quiet for a long time. She counted her heartbeats to make the seconds tick by faster, but that didn’t help. The silence grew thicker, but ultimately, he had to break it.

  “I don’t know where I’m going,” he said.

  Lifting her head, she gauged where they were. “Take a left at the light. Then the first right, and I’m two blocks down on the left.”

  Part of her wanted this man with a fancy car to drop her off a block away so he wouldn’t see where she lived. She was certain he lived in a much nicer home with his daughter and his wife, in a neighborhood that didn’t have stray cats and cars parked in the grass. In the end, her pride lost when she didn’t want to be in the cold any longer than she needed to be. When her house was in sight, she pointed to it and didn’t wait for him to pull into the driveway before readying her hand to leave.

  As he put the Jeep into park, she opened the door, the light above her clicking on. She had one foot out the door when his voice caught her attention though.

  “Wait a second,” he said, and she froze.

  She was about to thank him for the ride and then hope she never ran into him again. But when she turned back to him, the look on his face made her forget all of that. Something about his expression hinted at the trouble he’d mentioned before, and she wondered if the problems of the rich really could match the severity of the problems she faced. The part of her that was curious decided to stay and hear him out.

  “This is really ridiculous of me to even ask,” he started, which caught her attention even more. “Nothing I’m going through even comes close to the things you are, and I wouldn’t even think of proposing this idea if I weren’t a desperate dad who’d do absolutely anything for his daughter.”

  A chill ran through her. It could have been from the freezing air seeping in through her open door. But it was more likely because of how serious this stranger had gotten. He sounded prepared to make a deal with the devil for his precocious seven-year-old. Luckily, he’d found the furthest thing from it. She could feel the weight of his burden, so she closed the door to hear him out.

  He twisted to face her fully. “What do you think about pretending to be my fiancée so I can get my daughter into private school?”

  For a while there, all she could do was blink. It was so late. And she was so tired. She truly could not have heard him correctly. Pretend to be his fiancée? She blinked some more.

  “I’d pay you to do it,” he added in a rush. “In fact, I’ll pay for that medicine and your father’s doctor bills. And whatever you were making at the bar.” He hung his head, letting out a loud exhale, before looking her in the eye again. “I’ll do that anyway because it was my fault you lost your job. But I could really us
e this favor and it sounds like you could use someone to lighten your load. I can be that person if you do this for me.”

  Her breathing grew shallow as she realized how serious he was. This man actually wanted her to pretend to be with him for a school? And he’d pay for all of that stuff? Everything she needed like her prayers had been answered?

  It sounded too good to be true. So she had to ask some questions.

  “How long would I have to do this?” was her first one. What could she say? She was considering it. He’d caught her on just the right day for this ludicrous request.

  His shoulders fell as relief spread across his features. “I have an interview early next week with the school. As long as you come with and pretend like we’re engaged to be married, that interview should be enough. If it’s not, we can discuss further terms.”

  She raised her eyebrows at him. “So it’s just for one interview?”

  “And the prep time needed to make sure we’re on the same page,” he said. “Maybe an hour before the interview? That should do it.”

  As she thought that over, her brow furrowed. “You don’t even know how much all of that stuff costs and you’re willing to pay it for maybe two hours of my time?”

  The breath he released came out in a rush. “I’ll do anything for my daughter. She’s been let down by life enough. I can’t do it to her too.”

  She wondered why his money wasn’t enough. Couldn’t he just give it to the school and be done with it? He didn’t seem like a stupid man though. He must have already tried it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been as desperate as he was.

  After her own deep breath, she closed her eyes. “Can I think about it?”

  “Sure,” he answered right away. Then he dug into his back pocket to produce a white business card. “Just call or text that number,” he said, pointing to it. “I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, and no matter what, I’ll arrange payment for you losing your job.”

  Nicole was in a bad enough way not to turn that down. But she didn’t accept with words, either. Instead, she let the offer hang in the air as she opened the door again. On the stoop of her house, she watched Evan drive away, and the moment she entered the house, tears fell down her cheeks and she slid down the door until her butt hit the ground.

  This really could be the answer to everything she’d needed for the last two years. Since she’d given up her life in Phoenix, she’d taken hit after hit while trying to care for her injured father. She’d forgone sleep, food, and a social life to keep him stable. Between amputation and depression, nothing seemed to be working to make him better, but she also couldn’t afford the things that would work. She was doing all she could, but it was never enough.

  On the floor, she used her phone to check her bank account. Four digits—including the ones after the decimal point—stared back at her, and it’d only turn into three before payday at her day job rolled around.

  Having Evan’s money could turn things around for her. Even if it was only a one-time thing to get back on her feet, it would help. More than a one-time thing would have been even better. Perhaps actually marrying Evan and being more than his pretend fiancée would have been the solution. But that wouldn’t happen to a woman like her. Not in a million years.

  The thought of her father finally walking again, maybe even dancing with her at her wedding when she found a real fiancé… That was enough for her to pull her phone out before she’d even picked herself up off the floor. With one text, seven simple words, she was prepared to swallow her pride and change her whole life. Her father’s life too.

  Nicole: It’s Nicole from the bar. I’m in.

  3

  When Evan woke up the next morning, the red numbers on his alarm clock shocked him. He bolted up in bed and threw the covers off. Somehow, he’d slept until eleven a.m. He couldn’t recall a time he’d done that since before Hadley was born, and back then, he’d had more energy to start his day. At the moment, he could feel every one of his thirty-two years in his bones.

  Down the hall, he went into his daughter’s room, but Hadley wasn’t there. He called her name out as he rushed down the stairs, but he received no response. With his heart pounding, he checked the kitchen and didn’t find her in there, either.

  But there was a note on the fridge with his mom’s handwriting.

  Took Had to the museum. Hope you had a good night. See you later.

  -Love, Mom

  Relief poured through him and he released the breath he’d been holding. Slinging one hand through his hair, he put his other hand on the counter and braced himself. Once his breathing had slowed, his mind cleared.

  Hadley was fine.

  He’d slept too late.

  And Nicole had said yes.

  Even more relief flowed through his veins at that thought. Evan had managed to turn a bad situation into something good for everyone involved. That’s why his father had entrusted him with his money. Though he wasn’t sure how they’d pull it off at Pemhall Prep, at least he’d have a shot at getting his daughter into that school.

  He’d told her that they’d need an hour before the meeting with the headmaster, but maybe that wasn’t enough time. More preparation wouldn’t hurt, and because he had the day to himself now, he located his phone and pulled up his texts. The last one he’d received stared back at him like a beacon of hope. Upon clicking it, he fired off one of his own.

  Evan: Can we meet today? I think one meeting might not be enough. I’d rather be more prepared since we have the time.

  With as many things as Nicole had going on, he thought she might have been at work. But a text came in a few moments later.

  Nicole: How’s 12:30 at the diner on Arapahoe?

  Evan wasn’t familiar with this diner, but a Google search brought it right up. It seemed like a suitable place, but after the night they’d had—the night she’d had—he wanted to take her somewhere nicer. Somewhere she probably didn’t get to frequent that often with her schedule and budget. After another Google search, he found just the place.

  Evan: Make it 12:30 at The Cavern and we’re on.

  Nicole: You do realize you’d have to buy my meal there, right? ;)

  Evan: You think I wasn’t going to do that anyway? ;)

  Nicole: Fair enough. See you then.

  The hint of a smile curled the corners of Evan’s lips. He tried to tell himself that it was because his plan was going to work. But a small part of him knew that it was more than that. Seeing Nicole again felt intriguing. He hadn’t wanted to let her go home upset the night before, but he hadn’t known what else to do. They didn’t know each other, and she didn’t seem to want the help.

  Until she’d agreed to his proposal.

  A fake proposal, but a proposal nonetheless.

  This wasn’t how he’d seen himself going down this path again, but it’d have to do until it happened for real next time.

  On his way out the door an hour later, he recalled one part of a real proposal he hadn’t thought about yet: the ring. Before the door had swung shut, he rushed back upstairs and dashed into his mother’s room. When he located her jewelry box, he opened it and dug around for something she wouldn’t miss for a few days. A white-gold band with three diamonds stuck out more than the others. He hadn’t seen his mom wear this one in a very long time. At least he didn’t think he had. He was going to be late, so he took the chance and pocketed the ring.

  At the restaurant, he opened the door and found Nicole in the waiting area. She stood when he walked in, draping her coat over her arm. In clothes that weren’t her bar uniform, she looked drastically different. More mature. Older. More put together.

  He knew what was going on on the inside though. She hid it well, which was precisely what he needed to make this plan go smoothly. But that thought was simply covering up his true reaction to seeing her this way.

  Evan liked what he saw. The image of her in clothes without beer stains and with freshly washed hair compared to the chaos he knew she lived
with drew him to her even more. Something about the picture before him proved she deserved more than the hand she’d been dealt, which reminded him of what his mom had told him the day before.

  Maybe, together, they could both dig themselves out of the holes they’d found themselves in.

  “Hey,” Nicole said, giving him a small wave. “We really could have met somewhere less expensive. Because I wasn’t kidding about you needing to cover the bill. I had to get my car towed, and who knows how much the repairs are going to cost.” A self-deprecating smile covered her mouth.

  “And if you really thought I was going to let you pay for a meal we’re having because I have concocted an insane plan you’ve insanely agreed to be a part of…” He couldn’t help his grin. The whole thing was so ridiculous. So was planning to help her pay for her car so she wasn’t so worried about it, but hey. What was another couple hundred bucks for this huge favor?

  But her self-deprecating smile turned into a real one. “Touché,” she said, spinning toward the maître d’. “Two, please. It’s time to get this show on the road.”

  As they were led through the restaurant, he followed behind her, noticing the graceful way she walked. Her comfy sweater came down to her thighs, and her black leggings hugged her legs. The ankle boots on her feet looked stylish, though he didn’t know much about that. He did, however, think this outfit might not be enough to make their relationship believable. The school knew how much money he had. His fiancée would have to wear more appropriate clothes.

  Later on, he realized he shouldn’t have led with that once they’d ordered food. But she wanted to get the show on the road and he thought that was an appropriate place to start.

  He was wrong.

  “What’s wrong with my clothes?” she asked, drawing her eyebrows down. “Obviously, you have a lot of money if you have enough money to pay me a small fortune for this arrangement, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this outfit.” With her fingers, she pinched her sweater to make a point.