"I'm sorry, James, but it sounded like you just offered to marry me so I could access my trust fund." I waited for him to say something but he didn't. He kept his eyes firmly on the road. "But I know that can't possibly be what you said…because…that's just crazy."
"Is it really that crazy, though?" he asked without looking at me.
I continued to stare at him for a moment, trying to make sense of the disbelief bouncing around inside my head like a pinball game—complete with sounds. "Yeah, it is totally freaking batshit crazy, James."
"Okay, you're right, it is a little crazy, but I'd still do it." He finally turned in my direction, nailing me with his gorgeous eyes, appearing completely at ease with his idea. I'd known James a very long time—knew when he was teasing—but he was definitely sincere right now. I couldn't believe it.
I gulped. "But why would you?"
"Because there's nobody else in this whole world I want to help more than you." He didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Oh…" My heart gave me a jolt as I comprehended what he really meant. He wouldn't be doing it for any other reason than to help me get access to my money. "So just on paper for legal purposes," I said.
"Isn't that what you would want, Win, a paper marriage?"
"Want? Well, no…I definitely haven't dreamed of being married in name only, existing only as a couple on a piece of paper, but I certainly might consider it to be able to put my money to good use without having to wait six long years for it."
"I can draw up a prenup and have one of the partners present it—protecting your trust, of course—and I'd take no assets upon dissolution."
Dissolution?
He means temporary.
My weary brain finally caught up and figured out precisely what he was suggesting. James wasn't offering anything beyond a marriage on paper, which would grant me access to my trust fund, and then at a later date we would quietly dissolve the marriage. I tried to slow the pounding in my chest, but his actually stung a little. It wouldn't be out of love. "You would do that for me?"
"I would."
"What would you get out of it, though?"
"You," he said simply.
"What does that even mean, James? I am so confused, and just so you know, suggesting we get married isn't helping my confusion to lessen even a little." It was hard to be mad at him, but I seriously couldn't take any more of his mysterious crap.
"I know, Win. I realize we need to talk about a lot of things and figure shit out, but I've asked that we not do it today. I know I brought up the marriage thing, and I'm very sorry. My timing is really bad, but can we just put these ideas aside for a few hours and try and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner? We'll work everything out to where you're comfortable with the plan, or we won't do it at all." He reached for my good hand and squeezed it. "I promise. All you have to know right now is that you are very important to me, and I'd never hurt you. I want to spend Thanksgiving with you."
He pulled into the long private drive that led to the front of his parent's house, pausing in pleading his case so he could park the car. "We're here anyway, so it's a perfect stopping point for this discussion. We will pick it all up later, okay? Can we do that, sweetheart?"
Whenever he called me sweetheart I melted, so I did the only thing I was capable of doing. I nodded slowly, and gave him my agreement. I didn't know what to say to him anyway. What words
could I possibly use that would clear up the fog that felt like it was growing thicker by the minute.
Thank you for offering to marry me, James?
You are the most generous friend ever?
I just might take you up on your proposal?
There was only one problem with agreeing to his plan.
Being married to James in name only would probably kill me.
Vanessa Blakney had always been lovely and sweet to me. Judge Blakney, on the other hand, gave the impression he might be contemplating roasting you over an open spit and eating you one bite at a time. Seriously, the man gave me the creeps. How he'd fathered such beautiful children like James and Victoria remained a curious mystery. That, and how his wife had managed to stay married to him for thirty-plus years. She had the look of a woman who pretended, almost as if she was on autopilot with her conversations and behaviors. For example, while we were eating, she barely touched her food. It was weird, because it almost felt like she was present for ornamental purposes only, but not supposed to enjoy a meal. Or participate. Still, her love for her children was apparent, and I could tell she was happy to have them home for the day. Victoria's fiancé, Clay, was absent though, something about being away in Europe .
"I'm so sorry about your accident last night, but we're thrilled you were able to join us for Thanksgiving, dear."
"Thank you for welcoming me into your beautiful home, but really, James gave me no say in the matter. He colluded with my brother and my mother to keep tabs on me today." I hoped a little teasing might help lighten the mood.
I glanced at James beside me to find him grinning like a devil. "I know a thing or two about collusion," he said, "and I definitely know how to close a deal."