I gave Fiona a look and shrugged. “I can’t blame her even if it’s a little insulting.”
“You’re both insane.” She stood up abruptly. “Why don’t you just take his money, Erica? Let him buy off your debt and be done with it.”
She seemed to struggle with that for a moment. I thought I had a good idea as to why she couldn’t do it—I got the sense that she didn’t want to owe me anything, which was why I couched the married idea as a mutually beneficial arrangement. She clearly didn’t want to explain that to Fiona though, and I saw her come up with an alternative explanation on the spot, which also happened to be true.
“Paying Cosimo off won’t necessarily mean he’ll leave me alone,” she said. “He might take the money and still try to force me into something.”
“You can go to the police,” Fiona pointed out.
Erica laughed. “He ran my car off the road as punishment for not doing what he wanted and put my mom in a coma. You really think going to the cops is going to do a damn thing?”
Fiona groaned. “So you think marrying Gavin will keep him off your back?”
“That’s the plan.”
“I’m a big, strong man,” I said. “Very good at protecting small, dainty ladies.”
Fiona glared at me. “Don’t be gross. This isn’t a joke.”
“I’m only partially kidding,” I said softly. “I can keep her safe. She needs a guy around right now.”
“Please, all you have to do is say you’ll help me if the time comes. Otherwise, promise you won’t tell anyone.”
Fiona looked between us, shaking her head. “For the record, I’m against this. I think you should go to the police, Erica. And I think you should get a hobby, Gavin.”
“Duly noted,” I said. “I assume that hobby shouldn’t be sleeping with the nursing staff?”
Erica punched my arm. “Don’t be gross.”
I laughed and grinned at them both. “Come on, ladies, this is great. We’re about to be a little happy family.”
“I’m not part of any of this.” Fiona grabbed her bag and hesitated. “I promise I’ll keep your secret and I’ll help you out if you need it, but otherwise, I’m out of here.”
“That’s all I need.” Erica stepped toward her. “Thank you.”
Fiona walked to Erica and pulled her into a hug. I smiled to myself and looked away. Fiona acted hard, but deep down all she wanted was to help people. And she had every reason to think I was a jerk for sleeping with the nurses.
But as Fiona pulled away, I saw Erica’s small smile, the tears in her eyes, and I knew something, right in that moment—I was going to take this marriage seriously.
I wasn’t really marrying her, that was only for show, only to keep Erica safe until Cosimo got bored and went away. But while we’re married, I’d keep my vows, I’d treasure her, stay faithful to her, loyal to her—and maybe things could grow into something better, into something real.
I wouldn’t get ahead of myself yet. I wanted Erica more than I realized and in that moment it became crystal clear to me how far I was willing to go to have her, but I wouldn’t force anything on her—no, I’d make sure she came to me, willing and begging for it.
“That’s settled then,” I said, beaming. “I have the day off, so we’re flying to Vegas and getting married tonight.”
Fiona looked between us, shook her head, and walked to the door. “I’d say congratulations, but I’m not sure that applies.”
“I think it’s still appropriate,” I said.
“Good luck, I guess.” She lingered at my door and gave Erica a look. “Honey, if you change your mind, call me, okay?”
“Okay, I will.”
“You have my number already.” Fiona gave her a smile, glared at me, and left the apartment.
I stood with Erica then put an arm around her shoulders. She leaned against me then seemed to remember herself and shrugged me off.
“This is going to be great,” I said. “You’re a good actress, right? We should probably start getting to know each other. It’s a long flight to Vegas so we’ll have plenty of time.”
“I’m sleeping on the plane,” she said. “We can get to know each other later.”
“Your loss. I’m delightful, after all.”
She gave me a look and drifted back toward the guest room. “I need to pack.”
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll get us seats on the next flight.”
She hesitated and ran her fingers down the wall. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’m sure if you are.” I tilted my head. “Seems to me that it benefits the both of us.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Come on, I’ll be good to you. And when this is all over, you can walk away and do whatever you want with yourself.”
She nodded, gave me an odd, searching look, then disappeared down the hall.