I stood up. “Then get one of them to play your loving fiancée in this ridiculous farce.” I began to walk away, stopping when his long fingers wrapped around my arm.
“Katharine.”
I shook my arm free. “What?” I spat.
He held up his hands. “I don’t understand the problem with outfitting you.”
Wearily, I rubbed my hand over my eyes. “If tomorrow doesn’t give you the result you want, you will have spent a lot of money for nothing. All of this craziness will have been for nothing.”
“All of this craziness?”
I blinked away the tears I felt forming. “Pretending we’re engaged. Taking me out of my home, throwing away both our jobs, subjecting yourself to having to spend time with me. Even David knew how much you disliked me, Richard. How is this possibly going to work?”
He shrugged. “If, and it’s a big if, it doesn’t work, you’ll have a bunch of pretty new clothes to wear to your next job. Let’s be honest—your hovel wasn’t much of a home; we’ll find you something far better. Think of it that way.” He stepped forward. “And, frankly, Katharine, perhaps I judged you too quickly. I don’t dislike you. In fact, I rather enjoy listening to you argue with me.”
I didn’t know what to say to his unexpected declaration.
“I think, perhaps, we need to call a truce. You’re right on one thing. We need to present a united front, and we can’t do that if we’re on edge with each other. So I have an offer to extend.”
“Okay?” I asked, almost fearful of what he was about to say.
“You go shopping, spend my money. Spend an indecent amount. Consider it a gift for all the lousy things I’ve done over the past year. I’ll make my calls, and some arrangements I need to take care of. When you get home, we’ll spend the evening talking and getting to know each other a little more. Tomorrow, we’ll face the day as a couple. Okay?”
I chewed on my cheek as I studied him. “Okay.”
“Good. One more thing.”
“What?”
He held out his hand, a small box in his palm. “I want you to wear this.”
I stared at the box, not making a move.
“It won’t bite you.”
“What is it?” I whispered, already knowing the answer.
“An engagement ring.”
When I still didn’t move, he sighed in frustration. “You had better not expect me to get down on one knee.”
“No!” I gasped.
“Then take it.”
My hand trembled as I reached for the box and opened it. A large solitaire in a white gold, vintage setting, shimmered under the light. It was exquisite.
I lifted my gaze to his.
“I described you to the sales woman and said I wanted something simple yet stunning. There were larger ones, but for some reason, I thought you would like this ring.”
His odd, kind words touched me. “I do.”
“Well, put it on. It’s part of the image.”
I slid it on my finger, staring at it. It was a perfect fit, but still it felt strange on my hand.
“I’ll take good care of it until it’s time to give it back.”
He snorted. “I’m sure you’ll try. Given your clumsiness, I’ve insured it.”
I rolled my eyes, the moment of being touched passed in that second.
He looked at his watch. “Okay. The car will be outside waiting for you. Go get yourself presentable.”
He turned and left the room.
I picked up my purse, the ring catching the light.
Well, it seemed I now had a fiancé.
I was engaged to a man who disliked me, but was willing to overlook it so he could get a new job and piss off his old boss.
Certainly, that was the stuff dreams were made of.KATHARINE
THE AFTERNOON WAS A WHIRLWIND. Richard had indeed told Amanda precisely what he wanted, and the list was endless, it seemed. Dresses, pants, skirts, blouses, suits—a vast array of materials and colors drifted by me. There were also new bathing suits, lingerie, and nightgowns. Item after item was tried on, discussed, and either discarded or placed on the ever-growing pile of clothes to keep.
Thankfully, after watching me for a short time, the footwear she picked out was all low-heeled. Still stylish, she assured me, but I had a better chance of staying upright.
The last straw was the exercise clothing she showed me. By that point, I was beyond exasperated. I couldn’t fathom a time I would need to have expensive workout clothes. He had a private gym in his apartment for God’s sake. When she indicated it was on Richard’s list, I threw up my hands and told her to add whatever she felt was suitable. I was done.
I walked out of the store, carrying the outfit for the next day, wearing a new pair of jeans and a silk T-shirt in a rich red color. Richard, apparently, didn’t want to see me arrive back in my “old stuff.”