As much as I didn’t want to marry Simon, my spirits soared. That was over a million dollars not including the house. But then I noted the six months and the requirement that I live with him.
I looked up at him. “I have to live with you for six months?”
He quirked a brow. “Married people live together.”
“Six months.”
His jaw ticked. “I know it repulses you, but remember the goal here. People need to believe this is real. Getting married for a week or two and leaving will make me look worse.”
I looked down. “I’m not repulsed, Simon. But…I can’t live here. I have a home and job in Omaha. Family—” I stopped before I mentioned Mason.
He studied me and then took the paperwork.
Panic filled me that he was going to back out.
“Simon—”
“We’ll live in both places. I found a home that I think will suit you. We can live there when we’re in Omaha. But you do need to be here too.” He wrote something on the prenup and handed it back along with a handout of a home.
I gaped as I looked at the lovely stone home in a lake community south of Omaha. “I don’t need this fancy.”
“Remember this needs to look real. The home will be in your name and we’ll share until we go our separate ways.”
I looked at him, wondering if he was being nice or just snobby by picking a home that was over seven-hundred thousand dollars.
“Along with this house, both are big enough for you to have your own space to avoid me.”
God, I hated when he pointed out what a jerk I was being.
I took the pen and signed the papers, handing them back to him. “Now what?”
“Now we get a nice dress and some rings.”
I gaped again. “What?”
“Realism, Erica.” He stood. “Have some breakfast. I’ve called Nancy Bitmer who owns the boutique downtown. She said she’d meet us there at eight, even though she doesn’t open until ten.”
“She’s opening for you?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why people are surprised. She’s not doing it for me. We all know what people think of me. She’s doing it because I’m paying her. Values often go out the window when money is involved.” He winked and left. I wanted to hurl my coffee mug at him because he was calling me out about money and values too. Of course, he was right, but I didn’t want money just to have a fancy house. My son’s health and happiness were on the line.
We showed up at the boutique eight on the dot, and Nancy was there all smiles and helpfulness as we looked at dresses.
“Getting married. How nice.”
I could hear the question in her tone.
Simon was all charm. “I was surprised she said yes, myself. Now that I have her commitment, I don’t want to wait.” He put his arm around me. “Isn’t that right, honey?”
I smiled broadly. “I couldn’t believe it when he asked me.” That wasn’t a lie.
“I always thought you didn’t like Mr. Stark. No offense, but this town isn’t very warm towards you.”
He waved away the comment.
I jumped in before he could, because after all, this was what he was paying me for. “Simon is just misunderstood. My work has helped me see that. He’s rough around the edges, a little bit like a feral animal who is untrusting, but deep down wants to be loved.”
He quirked a brow at me. I attempted a loving smile. He looked at Nancy and smiled. “That’s me. Feral animal that wants to be loved.”