Chapter Nine

“Damn girl, sounds like you had a good night.”

Holly laughed as she held the phone to her ear. “Charlotte, you would not believe it.”

“Trust me, out of all the elements to your fake relationship, believing he wants you is the easiest to swallow.”

She sighed. Her friend had been none too happy to hear about the plan when she’d cornered her after Julian dropped into the office. Holly received an earful before Charlotte had grudgingly promised to keep her secret. After all, it was her job Holly was trying to save, and given Charlotte didn’t want to job search any time soon, she was all for avoiding the cuts they’d be forced to make if Julian backed out of the merger.

Not that he shows any signs of pulling away.

If anything, they were growing closer. And as tempting as she found him, the situation was tricky enough. With every day they spent together, the idea of switching places with Lillian grew less appealing. There was no way he wouldn’t notice the difference.

Right?

“It’s complicated,” she said.

“Hot man, close bed? Not so complicated.”

“Hot man who doesn’t know my name.”

“Okay, but what about the flip side? You like him, and he clearly likes you. Boy meets girl and all that.”

She walked along the patio rail, looking out over the manicured garden John insisted on keeping up. “Boy meets girl. Boy kisses girl. Boy marries girl’s twin.”

Charlotte hissed. “Fair point.”

“Anyway, I was just calling with an update so you didn’t text me all weekend long.”

“Come on, this is the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to you. Can’t blame me for being curious.”

“I could try.”

“You know you love me. Now give me more details. How’s the bod?”

“Not answering that.”

“It’s okay. I have a good imagination and can fill in the blanks. Trust me.”

She shook her head, descending the stairs to the grass and strolling through the flowers. “Next time you start a relationship I’m going to make life difficult for you.”

“Any relationship, or just the ones where I pretend I’m someone else?”

Direct hit.

She flinched. “That’s your version of supportive?”

Her friend sighed. “You’re right. Sorry.”

“Not like I don’t agree with your point. I get it.”

“Still, you’re caught in the middle of this, and yours is the side I’m on. I’ll try my best to cut back the snarky comments.”

She laughed. “Do you know how?”

“Life is for learning new things.”

That sobered her. “Like learning how not to get involved with someone you shouldn’t?”

Charlotte’s voice gentled. “I think that ship has sailed, darling.”

“So what do I do?”

There was a pause before her friend said, “You’re in it now, and so is he. Honestly? Maybe you should play it through.”

“What?”

“You can’t get out of the situation you’re in, so maybe you should be building a relationship strong enough to weather the storm you’re headed for. If you want him long-term, that is.”

Holly’s steps slowed to a stop.

“They say love conquers all.”

Could it conquer this?

“I can’t imagine him falling in love with me in a few months.”

“Then you don’t see the amazing person I do,” Charlotte said, her voice earnest. “Instead of worrying you’re not Lillian enough for him, why not show him how much better the real Holly would be?”

Win him over. Build something with him. Something real.

It was a dangerous, tempting game. If she followed Charlotte’s advice, everything would be so much worse if it blew up in her face. If this all went wrong, it wouldn’t be only her company that was ruined but her heart as well.

But what if she’s right?

She closed her eyes and remembered his hands on her body. She’d wanted so much more than that brief embrace. Perhaps she should stop thinking of Julian as someone she had to guard against and let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they could become more than their companies. More than a transaction based on dollar bills and a marriage of convenience.

“Still there?” Charlotte said.

“Yeah.”

If Lillian finds a way to get enough cash to avoid cutting staff, we won’t need Julian.

Then she’d stand before him as herself. He’d lose out on Lillian’s inheritance, but maybe by the time they crossed that bridge, he’d think she was worth it.

What are the odds of that?

Not good, judging by her past.

But tempting all the same.

“You just gave me a lot to think about.”

“It’s my superpower. Just stay strong. You got this. Don’t get us all fired.”

“I promise to do my best.”

“Ms. Lillian,” a voice called.

For a second, she ignored it, thinking it wasn’t for her, before she realized what that name meant.

“Gotta go,” she said into the phone as she spun to see Sylvie on the patio, waving to get her attention.

“Good luck. And send me updates!”

She disconnected the call and hurried over to Sylvie.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Mr. Worth is here to see you, miss.”

“Why are you being so formal?” she whispered.

“Your father and fiancé are waiting in the living room,” she whispered back. “They can see us.”

She groaned, her hand flying to the messy bun her hair was in. At least she’d put in contacts today. She was growing rather used to the ease of them.

“Thanks for the warning,” she said.

“Go see what he wants.”

Nodding, she stepped around the maid and opened the French doors that led to the living room.

“Hello,” she said.

Julian had his back to her but turned at the sound of her voice. He’d been speaking with her father, and by the red splotches on his face, John was not pleased with the conversation.

“There you are,” he said, crossing the distance to her as if he couldn’t stay away.

He kissed her cheek, his hand sliding down her back, and she tried not to show how much she enjoyed the caress. They weren’t alone, and she refused to give her father any more ammunition to use against Julian.

“I’ll leave you two to talk,” John said, his voice brittle.

“Think about what I said,” Julian replied, his voice light but even she heard the steel underneath.

John inclined his head and stalked away.

“What was that about?”

“I need to play hardball over some financial records,” he said.

Her stomach dropped.

What records? What is he up to now?

This was about avoiding a layoff, right?

She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry you’re having trouble.”

Truer words have never been spoken.

“I think you guys might have needed some better accounting over the years, but we’ll sort through it.” He turned her toward him. “Business wasn’t the only reason I came here, though.”

“Oh?” she said with a grin.

He kissed her, pulling her close as her arms wrapped around him.

“Mm,” he said against her lips. “That’s a much better hello.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” she whispered.

Grinning, he gave her one more quick kiss before releasing her. “Actually, I need to cancel our date tonight.”

“Oh?”

“I have to drive upstate. Not sure what time I’ll be back. Can we reschedule for tomorrow?”

“Upstate? To that inn you bought?”

He nodded. “My foster parents are having some trouble with their books. Pete insists on doing them himself, but the man has never been good with numbers.”

“So you, a billionaire CEO, drive hours out of your way to do them for him?”

He just shrugged.

Her heart skipped a beat. “Want me to go with you?”

The words were impulsive, but she didn’t regret the offer.

He hesitated long enough that she drew back. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. Tomorrow is fine. Text me when you’re back.”

“I won’t be staying over, but I’ll probably be there through dinner.” He ran a hand down his face. “Come.”

She arched a brow. “That’s what I call an enthusiastic invitation.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. Sorry. I’ve never taken anyone to meet Judy and Pete.”

“No pressure,” she said, holding up her hands in peace.

“No, I mean…” He paused, glancing out the French doors. “I mean, come with me. They’re as close as I have to family and you’re my fiancée. They should meet you before the wedding.”

A glow spread through her. “Then I’d love to meet them.”

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Might be a late night. Do you need to grab anything?”

“Let me change into something more appropriate and grab a sweater,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”

Leaving him in the living room, she sprinted for the stairs.

And tried not to think too hard about what it meant to meet the people who were most important to Julian.

…

Do I know what I’m doing?

Julian rubbed his jaw. Of course, the answer was no. When he’d come here, he hadn’t meant to do anything more than follow up with John and reschedule Lillian. Now his future father-in-law was pissed off at him and he was whisking his fiancée out of the city to meet the only people who had ever given a damn about raising him.

Smooth.

So much for having a plan and sticking to it.

I’ll need to deal with John eventually.

And he’d told Lillian the truth. He should introduce her. He just hadn’t anticipated doing it so soon.

It’s time alone with Lillian. Roll with it.

He tugged off his tie, balling it into his pocket. But what if Judy didn’t like her? Or what if Pete made his objections about Julian’s marriage plans clear?

Is that what normal people feel when they bring someone home?

This nauseous, anxious feeling was new for him. Much to Judy’s annoyance, he’d never taken anyone up there. That had always seemed…

Serious. Permanent.

Real in a way he’d never wanted his relationships to be.

He’d always believed he was happier alone. It was safer that way. Less chance of being used for his wealth or lied to for his connections.

He’d learned that lesson over and over since his first big success. His college girlfriend, who’d dumped him for a man with a better pedigree, had shown up on his doorstep, sweet and contrite when she’d read about the success of his first startup. Then there’d been the social media influencer who’d tried to use him to boost her following. Of course, neither came close to the betrayal by his first business partner that had set his venture back a year.

They’d been hard lessons to learn but necessary ones. In fact, they were part of the reasons a mercenary marriage held such appeal. Everyone knew what they were getting out of it, and no one got hurt.

But with Lillian, he was getting more out of the bargain than he’d ever intended, and life was…

Better. It’s better with her in it.

And he didn’t have a damned idea how to feel about that.