You're The One (Very Irresistible Bachelors 1)

“Because when I do wear a white dress and walk to the altar, I want it to be real.”

“That’s fair,” he said after a few seconds. “Do you want anyone to be at the courthouse, or just the two of us?”

“Amelia would disown us both if we didn’t invite her, so I don’t think we’ll get away with that. It would make my family happy too. And your mom.”

The more I thought about it, the more I realized it wouldn’t work. “Crap. I don’t think we’ll get away just with a courthouse wedding.”

“I don’t think so either. We’ll need a party. This is pretty much the only wedding anyone’ll get for me.” I wasn’t sure why he didn’t want to marry, but this wasn’t the first time he’d made his thoughts on the subject clear.

“Party’s fine,” I muttered, even though I’d secretly hoped we could just spring it on everyone that we got married in secret.

“What’s the next point?”

I cleared my throat, tapping my pen against the sheet. There was no point beating around the bush.

“Neither of us can see other people during the duration of our engagement and marriage. You’re well known in business circles. If anyone gossiped that you’re sleeping with someone else behind my back, I’d be everyone’s laughingstock. The reverse is true for you. And it would give the immigration services serious reasons to suspect we’re just putting on a charade.”

There was a long pause, and I was convinced this was a deal breaker for him.

“You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that,” he said finally. “Why don’t I take you out to dinner and we’ll go through the rest of the points on your list?”

“No need.”

“You canceled your plans because of me, future fiancée. The least I can do is make it up to you.”

I grinned, flipping on my back, deciding on the spot to go through with this. “When you put it like that, it sounds like a great idea. I’ve already eaten, but I won’t say no to dessert and cocktails. Take me somewhere fancy.”

“Demanding fiancée.”

“I’m still your girlfriend for now, right?”

“You’re right. Demanding girlfriend.”

Hot damn, I liked the sound of that.

“Any other demands?”

“I’m in the mood for crème brûlée, and I want a great view. Oh, and a comfy sitting area where we can plot after we eat.”

“You’re enjoying this already,” he teased. I actually was. And more than that, I was happy that I could help Hunter.

“Big time, almost fiancé. Big time.”

Chapter Four

Josie

I almost regretted asking Hunter to take me somewhere fancy, mostly because our idea of fancy differed. As a lawyer, I was a high earner, but I was nowhere in his league. Hunter’s paychecks had at least two more zeros than mine, and he wasn’t shy about spending it. He’d brought me to a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan.

That was the beauty of New York; you could find anything you wanted. We had a spectacular view of the Empire State building, and I was captivated by all the lights.

That building had been the height of sophistication for me when I first moved here as a doe-eyed teenager. Honestly, it still was. Sometimes I still felt as if I was in a movie when I walked around New York.

“This place is gorgeous,” I said, glancing around.

“My bossy girlfriend requested a fancy outing. I complied.” He winked.

“Good thing I put on this dress. Oh... I just realized you attend about a million fundraisers and functions. I’ll have to come with you, right? My wardrobe will need a makeover. I have a few cocktail dresses, but I’ll need gowns for those events, especially the Ballroom Galas. How much do you think I’ll have to spend on new clothes?”