I’m stunned at what he’s telling me, and sense there is more. “Go on.”
“I have this knack for fucking things up and for hurting others. I’m told I’m closed off inside, unable to give what’s needed, and I don’t disagree. Simple as that.” His eyes search mine. “But this is fake, so to speak. You’re anti-marriage, and neither of us is looking for more, so what can I possibly fuck up? We’re not trying to build a relationship, and we’re friends so it’s not like one of us will fall in love and get hurt. Wait, I’m not even sure that came out right.”
I let that circle my brain for a minute. Okay, so he’s saying he’s not going to fall in love with me, nor me him—oh, how little he knows—but if I keep my feelings to myself, and go along with this, it’s the perfect way to get my hands on my trust fund. I can get the truck fixed up and finally open my restaurant. “Thirty days,” I say quietly. “You really think you could pretend to be my husband for one full month?”
“Yeah, I do. Sex and all the tacos I can eat. I can handle that.”
I arch my brow. “I don’t remember anything about all the tacos you can eat.”
“That a deal breaker, Kins?”
I laugh. “No, not really.”
“I’m on break from hockey practice. Lots of time for us to spend together which will really help sell this marriage to your parents.”
I cringe. “What about our friends? They’ll know better.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I guess we’ll tell them the truth.” He rolls one shoulder. “We’ll just let them know I’m just helping you out. They don’t need to know anything else.”
“That’s probably for the best.” I twist my lips. “What about your parents?”
“They don’t need to know anything,” he says. “We’ll likely have an annulment before I even see them again, anyway.”
“That makes sense.” I glance down for a second. “Is it wrong that we’re doing this?” My stomach takes that moment to ache. “I don’t like deceiving anyone. I don’t even really want to take the trust fund. God, I sound so privileged.”
“I told you there is nothing wrong with a trust fund, Kins. You work harder than anyone I know. Your father is using it to control you.”
“If I could find another way to get my business off the ground, I would.”
“What does your grandmother say? I’m assuming your grandfather that left you the money was her husband, or am I wrong?”
“No, you’re right, and she doesn’t know. Not that I know anyway. I’m not about to bring it up and upset her.”
“Your grandmother and grandfather would want you to have the money to use as you wish, I’m sure. I think grandma knows you well enough to know you wouldn’t blow it, Kins.”
I smile up at him, and say, “Just so you know, all-you-can-eat tacos will ruin that perfect six pack.”
“You think I’m perfect,” he jokes.
“Perfectly full of yourself, yes,” I shoot back. I briefly close my eyes as he chuckles. “I still can’t believe this happened.”
“We just happened to be at the right spot at the right time.”
“You mean the wrong spot at the wrong time,” I say.
He laughs. “Where’s your glass half full, Kins? This mistake is going to get you what you want.”
Mistake.
He’s right. It was a mistake, and even though I know it, I’m not sure why hearing him say it loud and clear bothers me. “I never knew you were all the lemons make lemon juice.”
“I’m not. If you’re given lemons, it’s tequila time.”
I laugh at that, and hold my head. “I am never drinking tequila again.”
“We’re going to have to get you a better ring,” he says.
My hands drop and I examine the school ring on my finger. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want you spending any money on me.”