“Says the guy with the fake fiancée,” Bram deadpans.
Point made. But still, tomorrow, is way faster than expected.
Cupping her stomach, Julia says, “I got a beautiful wedding dress and I want to be able to fit into it. And as Bram likes to say, he has money, therefore, I’m pulling out the money card and making everything happen. Get ready, we’re getting married.”
They hold their linked hands in the air and cheer, and I’m wondering how the hell they’re going to pull everything off by tomorrow.
“Look, he’s nervous. I told you he’d be nervous.” Bram leans over and places his hand on mine. “Don’t worry, bro, we’re still going to have a birthday cake for you.”
“I couldn’t care less about the damn cake. Are you sure this is going to work? I don’t have a tux. I thought the dress wasn’t even ready yet. What about the food and the venue? We have money, but money can only get you so far.”
Bram turns to Julia and says, “He’s getting worked up.”
“I can see that.”
“I don’t see why you two aren’t worked up. And why are you still here? Do you even have a marriage license?”
Bram shakes his head and leans back in his chair. “See, I told you this was a bad idea. He doesn’t want us getting married.”
“Wait, no, that’s not what I said.”
“Oh, isn’t it?” Bram asks. “You keep asking me if she’s the girl for me.”
“What? Rath, I’m your sister. Why would you say that?”
What the hell is happening right now?
“I never said that. I think you guys are perfect together. I just want to make sure this is the wedding you deserve, the wedding you want. I mean, give it at least a week, or I mean, your actual wedding date is not that far along, only a few weeks from now. Can’t you wait? You won’t be showing, will you?”
Huffing, Bram turns to Julia and says, “See, he’s too rational to pull pranks on.”
“Bram,” Julia complains. “You just blew it. We had him.”
“I know,” Bram replies. “But Rath is my man, and I know he’s about two seconds away from calling all his contacts to make sure we can make this happen.”
“Wait . . . what?” I push my hand through my hair. Why is this happening this morning? It’s way too goddamn early for all of this drama. I haven’t had my coffee or my delicious breakfast that’s normally on my desk when I arrive. I’m pouting. I know I’m pouting. I was hoping for porridge . . . but I can see a muffin bag. Hang on . . . “You’re not pregnant?”
“No, she is.” Bram thumbs toward Julia. “But this genius thought it would be fun to prank you and tell you the wedding is tomorrow.” He leans in and whispers, “I told her it wouldn’t be fun, and it would only stress my poor man out.”
“Christ,” I mumble. “Julia, don’t joke about shit like that. I was ready to call in favors.”
“Told you,” Bram says, crossing one leg over the other.
“Sheesh, you’re touchy these days.” Julia folds her arms over her chest. “Is this because of Charlee and the wedding?” Growing concerned, Julia says, “Rath, are you sure you really want to do this? It’s so quick and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I pull her into another hug and say, “I have everything under control. Trust me, okay?”
“Okay, I just don’t want you to get your heart broken again. And I know you said it’s not about Vanessa, but I‘m not sure she can make the wedding yet, so if that’s why you’re doing this—”
“It’s not,” I say, knowing I need to reassure her. “Charlee and I agreed to marry with the understanding that we were fulfilling her grandma’s—and Charlee’s —wish to walk down the aisle in Grandma’s wedding dress. We don’t know what sort of time frame we’re working with, as her grandma isn’t discussing her health. As you know, Bram, having an intelligent woman on your arm during the fundraisers is a bonus for business. That’s where Charlee is helping me out.”
“But, if you like her and she doesn’t return the sentiment—”
“Yes, there’s a chance I could get hurt. But I have a really good feeling about her, sis. I’m hoping that our marriage won’t be a business arrangement.” I’m hoping for more.
“Me too,” Julia says, looking uneasy about the whole thing and when I glance at Bram, he’s not looking at me, but is concerned about Julia’s concern.
I know it’s fast and it’s scary. Fuck, I was a mental case on Friday night as I wrestled with whether I could move forward physically with Charlee. And she’d been willing to walk away out of respect for me. That spoke volumes about her and her heart. And that’s why I believe in what I’m doing. Charlee Bag of Dicks is one incredible woman, and I’m going to make her mine.
“Can I come in?” Charlee asks from my doorway.
I lean back from my computer, my eyes feeling blurry. “When have you ever asked?”
She shrugs. “I thought I’d hear from you after Bram and Julia left, but you never called me in. From the congratulations they gave me, I’m assuming you told them.”
I reach my hands behind my neck, stretching, and say, “Yeah. I told them. They thought it was quick, but they’re excited.” Pausing for a second to take Charlee in, I hold back the lust driving my pulse higher. “Julia’s pregnant.”
“What? Oh my gosh, that’s so exciting. Are they still going to keep the wedding date?”
I nod at her. “Be my date?”
Her lips screw to the side as she puts her hands on her hips. “Rath Westin, is that how you’re really going to ask me?”
“I’m not about to hire a marching band to ask, if that’s what you’re looking for.”
“No, but a full sentence wouldn’t hurt.”
Sighing, I say, “Charlee, will you be my date to Bram and Julia’s wedding . . . please?”
“Well, since you asked so nicely.” She takes a seat across from me and I comprehend what she’s doing; she’s trying to respect the office boundaries and even though I want her on my lap, I think it’s cute. Instead of speaking, we’re awkwardly smiling at each other.
“What are you smiling at?”
She shrugs. “Don’t really know. Just smiling. What about you?”
“Smiling at you.”
Our faces frozen, we stay like that for a few more seconds before Charlee looks away and says, “Do you have a list for me?”
“Yup.” I rock forward in my chair and lift the list I’ve been working on off my desk and hand it to her. “Done by noon would be great, but I can understand if you can’t get it all done. It’s laborious today.”
She takes the paper from me. “I love a good chall—” One single brow raises as she looks at me. “Rath, this isn’t a list of to-dos.”
“Sure it is.”
“Uh-huh. So item number two, suck boss’s cock until he comes. That’s in the job requirements?”