Fallacy (Apprehensive Duet Book 1) (23 page)

“You seem pretty stressed,” he says, leaning up against the counter and fixing his eyes on me.

“Yes, well, I kind of jumped into things without thinking it through. We have a lot to figure out and I don’t like unresolved things,” I huff, sagging back against the counter next to him. “But can we at least eat while we do it?” I need a distraction.

Jordan pulls a bunch of takeout menus from the drawer and we glance through them. After ordering some Tex-Mex from the place around the corner, I grab a legal pad and pen off of Jordan’s desk in the corner of the living room and head back to the couch.

“Okay,” I write numbers down the side of the paper starting a list. “There are some things we need to discuss before we have the prenup drawn up.”

“All right,” he replies giving me a little chuckle. I don’t know what’s funny. “Hit me.”

“First… I’m pretty sure that we’ll agree on this. Everything we bring to the marriage, we leave the marriage with. Whatever assets we have, which we’ll need to make a detailed list of, are ours solely.”

“Agreed,” he nods. “Next?”

“Anything we accumulate together after we get married, we split. When we structure the company, we’ll each have equal shares, and that’s how it will remain unless one of us wants to buy the other out. But I don’t foresee us splitting in an angry manner, so we could still run things together.” This isn’t a real marriage, so I don’t see anyone doing something to the other that would cause us to hate one another and go to war.

“Of course,” Jordan just nods amicably.

“We need to decide where we want to live and what happens to the other residence. But I don’t think we have to decide that right now. I’m sure our lawyers can handle that.”

“We don’t have to decide right now, you’re right. But I would like you to consider moving to the city with me. It’s just easier, commuting wise,” he points out.

“I agree. But let’s not make any decisions on that right now. But we should discuss basic living arrangements. We don’t have a romantic relationship, so I think we should have our own bedrooms. ”

Jordan’s face scrunches a little bit as if he doesn’t agree, but then he says, “Okay.” I’m not sure what the deal with his little hesitation is, but I can’t focus on that right this second.

“I don’t expect you to stop seeing people, but we do need to have some common decency. I think it’s best if we respect each other and not bring anyone home with us.” This is a big one for me. I know he’s going to be getting it from somewhere, I just don’t want him to being doing it while I’m in the next room. I’d like to feel comfortable in my home at all times.

“That won’t be a problem,” he replies swiftly. He probably doesn’t bring his fucks home anyway. If I was a guy, I wouldn’t. Who wants some clingy chick who can’t take no for answer knowing where they live? And sex has been total shit for me lately. I’m better off spending time with my vibrator.

“And we should also make sure that we use discretion, too. We don’t need to embarrass each other by flaunting it,” I add. I don’t want to be humiliated by him nor do I want to humiliate him.

“Again, you don’t need to worry about that with me.” His face is sterner this time. I guess he’s on the same page with me there.

“Should we meet someone that we want to be with, and I mean, really be with before the merger is complete, then we need to readdress this topic.” Hopefully, that doesn’t happen, or if it does, it comes when everything is almost finished. I don’t know what my dad would do if we didn’t merge after getting married. Would he still try to send me to jail? I could always get a job with Jordan, so he couldn’t completely ruin me anymore. Jordan would be able to vouch for me.

I get a single head nod again. This is a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.

The doorbell rings, momentarily distracting us. “I’ll get it,” Jordan says, hopping up off the couch quickly.

We sort things out with the delivery guy and settle back in with our food in relative silence. It seems like we both need a few minutes to regroup. I stare at the food sitting on my lap but my stomach rolls at the actual thought of eating. My brain refuses to think of anything other than the threat of prison. Even with Jordan on board with helping me, I can’t settle my fear.

I wait until Jordan’s halfway through his meal before getting back into all the details. At least one of us should get to eat. “Is there anything that you’d add to this? I know that most of this is regular stuff, but is there anything else you want to be added to it specifically?”

Setting his white takeout container down on the coffee table, he turns to me and asks, “Do you think that we need to add something about having to stay married a certain period of time before we can part?”

I shake my head while I finish chewing. “I don’t think so. I think we’ll be okay if we have something in there that we stay together until the merger is complete. We can do that at least.”

“I know your motives for doing this are the merger and getting your dad off your back, but mine is different. While I have no problem with merging companies—it’s a great move—my priority is my family. My father is dying. Our marriage timeline needs to revolve around that too.” He gets serious.

“Okay, that’s kind of vague. Can you give me a little more?” I ask. Now is not the time to assume anything or be afraid to ask questions.

Jordan’s eyes lock on mine as he answers. “The purpose of this from my angle is giving my father the family he wants for me. We can’t get divorced before he passes. What if by some miracle he outlasts the time it takes to complete the merger? And then it’s not like we can get divorced right after he’s gone. I won’t do that to my mother. I just want you to know this may have to last past the merger.”

I hadn’t even considered any of that. “You’re right. You’re not just doing me a favor. What else do you need from me for your part?”

“This needs to look real to people, especially my parents,” Jordan continues. “We’re involved in a lot of charities. My mother heads a few and I’ve always attended the various functions. You’ll need to be there with me for this to work. It’s something that means a lot to us. My mother always told me to leave the world a better place than I found it, and I try to do some of that through giving back.”

I fucking hate red-carpet events. “How many are we talking?”

“I only go to about one a month, I think? I never really counted before. Why? Is it a problem?”

Trying to keep the disdain out of my voice, I reply, “No. I’m just not a big fan of those types of events, that’s all.”

“Hate to break it to you, but my family is big on events and family time. I know you aren’t used to being close to family, but for this to work, you’re going to have to meet me halfway on this one. How about we cut down the number of events, making a bigger donation in lieu of attendance until you get used it. How does that sound?” he compromises.

“All right,” I concede. He’s right. In order for this to work, it has to appear real. We have to do things together. That’s what real couples do, right?

“We do two family vacations a year. Hamptons, which is next month for the fourth of July and Aspen for Christmas.”

“Okay.” Vacations don’t seem too bad. I’m actually wondering what a family vacation for families who care about each other is like.

“What about you?” he asks. “Do you have anything else you want to add?”

“No,” I say. “I think we’ve covered mostly everything. Anything we missed, I’m sure the legal teams will address.”

We finish lunch with lighter conversation and decide to leave planning our “love story” until tomorrow. We’ve already covered a lot, and I need a break from all this for a little bit. “Are you feeling better now?” Jordan asks as we make our way to the door for me to leave.

“Yes,” I sigh. “I’m usually a planner and like to have my ducks in a row, so when I realized how much I hadn’t thought about prior to agreeing to do this thing, I had a minor panic attack. Can’t have that when my father is breathing down my neck more than usual.”

“No worries,” he smiles. “The last thing I want is for you to be stressed out right now. I’m glad you said something. I don’t want either one of us to have any lingering doubts.”

“Thank you for understanding.” I return his smile. It should be fairly easy to marry and live with this man. He’s really such a good guy. I’m surprised someone hasn’t tried to stick around and tie him down already. Seems like being the one to tame the bad boy is something a lot of women are into.

“Have a great night, babe,” he kisses my cheek before I head out the door.

I’m curling up on the couch drinking a cup of hot chocolate, watching the housewives that give Jersey women a bad name, trying to forget all about this day, when I hear a loud knock on my door.

I fling off my blanket, head to the door and check the peephole.

Jordan.

“Hey, is everything… ”

My words are stuck in my throat because Jordan is standing in my doorway holding a blue velvet box encasing a gorgeous vintage engagement ring that has to be at least five karats.

“I know you didn’t want a proposal, but fake or not, you deserve one. So I’m compromising. I won’t get down on one knee, but I am going to ask you. I wouldn’t be the man I like to think I am if I didn’t. Quinn Taylor, will you marry me?”

My hand flies to my mouth, stifling the gasp escaping past my lips. I can’t believe he was thoughtful enough to do something like this. I didn’t need or really want it, but now that’s he’s doing it, I can’t help but be happy.

“Yes.” As soon as the word leaves my mouth, Jordan slides the ring on my finger with a smile on his face.

“It’s beautiful,” I tell him.

“It’s my grandmother’s,” he says, shocking me. “My mother offered it to me a few weeks ago. She said she had a feeling I would need it soon and thought it would be nice to pass this down.”

“Holy shit,” I exclaim staring down at the beauty sitting on my fourth finger. “I can’t take this.”

“You have to,” he beams at me. “It’s a family tradition.”

“Well, I just found something else to add to the prenup. You’re definitely getting this back when we get divorced.”

Alex

“Come on, don’t you two ever stop that shit?” I ask as I walk through the garage entrance of Tanner and Ashley’s house. I’m excited to see Ashley. She’s pregnant again and I haven’t seen her since Father’s Day. She’s about to have this baby any day, and I can’t wait to meet my niece.

“Well, that’s what you get when you don’t knock like regular people,” Tanner says with a smirk.

“You don’t seem too interested in keeping people out if you still have the same alarm code,” I toss back as I wrap Ashley up in an enormous hug just to piss him off. He doesn’t care who’s touching his wife, it always pisses him off—even if it’s me.

“Alex!” she shrieks, fueling his anger even more. “I’ve missed you so much.”

I smile down at her and place my hands on her gigantic belly. “You look beautiful, Ashley. When is this little beauty going to make her appearance?”

“Three weeks ago would’ve been good.” Ashley smiles big before letting out a little giggle.

“Okay, Romeo, you ready to head out?” Tanner interjects. I guess he’s had enough of my hands on his wife’s body, even if it’s the part of her housing his baby.

“You okay?” I ask after Tanner heaves out a sigh as we make our way out of his driveway.

“Yeah, it’s just nice to have some guy time, you know? Don’t get me wrong, I love Ashley, but everything I do lately seems to piss her off. So for the next few hours at least, I don’t have to watch my every move afraid I’m going to do something else to make her mad.” Poor guy! I imagine this part of the pregnancy is rough for Ashley.

It won’t stop me from ribbing him, though. “She seemed fine to me,” I chuckle.

“Yeah, because you didn’t knock her up. And she misses you.” He sighs again. “I miss you, man.”

“I miss you guys too.”

“Does that mean you’re going to accept the job?” he asks, his hopefulness evident in his voice.

“I love it in Arizona, but it’s not home, you know? Things aren’t the same when you don’t have the people you care about around.” I’m glad I took the job there. It was a huge step for me in my career. It’s paid off too. I’m being pursued by my original team who two years ago, I never thought would offer me such a great opportunity at this point. But it doesn’t mean I don’t miss what little family I have left here in Tanner and his family.