After dinner, I was in my office reviewing possible debate questions for the upcoming mayoral debate, although I was considering moving to another room in the house as I couldn’t stop looking over the window seat where I’d had Erica. It was really disconcerting how much I wished she was there now.
I tossed my papers on the desk and rubbed the back of my neck. I rose to get a glass of whisky when the doorbell rang.
I’d given Marvin the rest of the night off, so I made my way to answer it. I couldn’t imagine who it would be unless it was someone who was lost. Or maybe it was someone out to give me an earful as Tucker Marshall had a few weeks back. It had been irritating how that young man was able to see right through me. He missed his calling as a teacher. He should have been a shrink like his mother.
I opened the door just as lightning cracked across the sky. I looked to the person who’d be out on such a night.
“Erica?”
She was soaked through, her dark hair sticking to her face.
“Jesus. Come in.” Instinctively I pulled her in.
“I’m sorry to just drop in.”
“Give me your coat.”
“Oh sorry. I’m dripping.”
God, did she really think I was that shallow? “Did you walk here? God you’re soaked through.”
“It’s a deluge.”
I hung her coat on a hook and led her to a small living area across from my office. I pushed the button to turn on the gas fireplace.
“Sit in front of the fire while I get you a drink.”
“This isn’t a social call, Simon.”
“You need to dry off and I won’t hold a drink against you.” Annoyed, I left the room and went to my study. I poured us both a drink and returned handing her a glass as she sat in front of the fire.
I leaned against the mantle. “What are you doing here?”
She sipped her drink and then looked up at me with those piercing blue eyes. “I’m reconsidering your proposal.”
I hadn’t expected that. Or maybe I had. Perhaps her walking out before was part of a game. She wanted me to feel like she didn’t care about the money, but now here she was.
“What changed your mind?”
She shrugged and looked down into her drink. “Your argument made sense. I’ll get more material for a story by spending time with you, and if you’ll pave the way or at least not get in the way, I’ll be able to sell the story.”
I hated that a part of me wished she’d wanted to help me improve my image in town. But she was here and that was a start.
“So what happens next?” she asked.
“We get our license and get married. We can do it tomorrow. I’ll let my people know to put out an announcement about our marriage.”
“I want our agreement in writing.”
“I’ll call my lawyer. Do you have specific wording?” I sipped my drink, a little amused and a whole lot fascinated by how assertive she was. She’d been sweet and quiet before. Sure, she’d push me to get out of my head or out of my comfort zone when we’d been together five years ago, but she’d never been so clear and decisive. She’d been loudmouthed and abrasive while doing her story, but this was different. She was standing up for herself. It was annoyingly sexy.
“I want a house in Omaha. It doesn’t need to be fancy like this, but it needs to be in a good neighborhood.”
“Okay.”
“I want five hundred thousand dollars.” Her blue eyes watched me for my reaction.
“That’s a lot of money.” At least for her. I had it. And I’d give it to her. But I was curious why she needed so much.