Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 122506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
“It’s not like she really has to marry him,” the grump grumps, still sparing no attention for anyone not Evie. “We’re offering the woman a week in paradise and fifty thousand pounds to exchange a few meaningless words with Fin and his furry friend.”
“Wedding vows aren’t meaningless!” Evie splutters.
“They are when you don’t mean them.”
“Excuse me.” I raise my hand again. This time like I’m in school. And a self-designated teacher’s pet. “Did you just say fifty thousand pounds?” Unless hearing things is a sign of true desperation.
Oliver’s icy-blue gaze cuts my way. “Oh, we don’t have to force anyone. Do we, Mila?”
“I didn’t say I was accepting your offer,” I retort, using the same tone. My heart thumps, and my mind begins to whir with the possibilities. If he’s serious, it would be fifty thousand reasons to take him up on his offer. While it’s not quite the style of success I was aiming for, it would help. Like a lifeline. I could improve my grandmother’s standard of living. Invest in my business, advertise, maybe. Could I be Fin’s fake bride for a few hours? It would be awkward, and I’m not much of an actress, but I could pretend to be into him for the right price.
Like you pretended in the coat closet?
Once more, the disdaining voice in my head sounds suspiciously like Ronny. That night was a one-off. But I can be professional. I’m not a slave to my impulses.
You’re so gonna need a chastity belt.
Evie pivots suddenly to face me, pressing her hand absently to her forehead. “I’m so sorry, Mila. I’ve gone about this all wrong. It sounds like we’re offering you a bribe, but that’s not right. Please accept my apology. I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
“I understand.” I understand rich people exist on another plane—another dimension. Who has fifty thousand to spend on this ridiculousness, bribe or not?
“You see, what Oliver meant to say is we’d be willing to pay you for your time. A bonus, I suppose you’d call it.”
“We would be so very grateful if you could help us out.” Oliver’s reiteration is almost toneless.
“I can’t tell you how disappointed we are not to be experiencing the day you’ve planned for us. And again, I’m so sorry to put you in this position.”
“Well, this is all fine.” Fin pulls a chair out from the carefully arranged rows and sits. “But isn’t anyone gonna try to persuade me?”
“No,” Oliver asserts flatly.
“I can’t believe you didn’t think to tell me about this harebrained scheme.” Fin folds his arms across his chest, crossing his long legs at the ankles. While the actions aren’t for my titillation, I can’t help but notice the way his shirt stretches taut over his biceps and the fine fabric of his pants molds to his thick thighs.
“We just want to get married without drama and drones flying around, taking our pictures and tainting our love.” Evie’s expression makes my heart ache.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Fin agrees begrudgingly.
“Please don’t blame Oliver. This was my idea, but it wasn’t really a plan. It was more like a wild stretch of the imagination. All this way, I kept hoping and praying the news we had before we left was wrong. Because this”—her hand indicates the space, the dais, and the endless azure view—“this was my dream wedding. Just us and the people we love, on the island we’ve come to adore. The piece of your heart you loaned us, for which we’ll be ever thankful for.”
Fin makes a noise—it sounds like capitulation—as he sits forward, dropping his elbows to his knees. “You’re an asshole,” he asserts, his gaze narrowed Oliver’s way. “You knew I wouldn’t be able to say no to her.”
“No one can.” Oliver doesn’t exactly sound happy about that fact. “When was the last time you had a vacation? Wouldn’t you like some time alone with your little friend?”
Fin slides his thumb and forefinger across his top-lip parasite. “You make me sound like a deviant,” he says, repeating the action, actively stroking the thing.
Why do I find the action mildly erotic?
Stop that, brain!
“You manage that all by yourself.” The corners of Oliver’s mouth tip, deep grooves suddenly bracketing it. Surely not laugh lines?
“I guess the business can cope without me for a few days.” Like an auctioneer bringing down his gavel, Fin slaps his hand on his thick thigh.
“I doubt the business will even notice,” Oliver murmurs in response.
“Could you enjoy this vacation in reasonably close proximity to Mila, do you think?” Evie’s tone turns tentative.
“What?” I ask, my attention whipping her way.
“Just a few days?” Evie holds up her hand, her thumb and forefinger an inch apart, her delivery tilting her statement into a question.
“My flight back to London is booked for Monday. I’m really not sure I can . . .”