“It’s complicated. But right now, I need you to arrange a private appointment at Winston’s Jeweler, book the jet, and handle accommodations with a return flight on Sunday.”
She clasps her hands and her smile widens. “And who is it?”
My lips naturally curl as I think of my blonde, feisty fiancée. “Karley Maddox.”
“Oh, you two have known each other forever. I saw the way you looked at each other when she came in. I’m so happy for you.”
It couldn’t have been from me. Sure, she’s stunning, but I don’t look at her any differently than anyone else. And she couldn’t have read anything in Karley’s eyes other than annoyance. When she looked at the gallery, her eyes lit up, but toward me, they dimmed. But I don’t ask Cora to clarify because all I care about is that we look like a real couple.
“And I need you to come and be a witness.” Cora keeps my professional life running smoothly, so dragging her into my personal life crosses a boundary I’ve always maintained. Still, I have no choice. I need someone I can trust.
She blinks in surprise as her hand touches her scarf around her neck. “Um...”
“I’ll cover everything for you and your family. Make it a weekend trip on me. I just need you to sign as a witness.”
She’s married with two kids. Paying for a holiday is the least I can do, considering I’m dropping this on her last minute.
“And to get photos,” she adds. “But… why isn’t your family going?”
“I don’t have time to go into the details right now. I need to meet with Ray, but I’ll brief you on everything when I return.”
“What about dinner?” she asks.
My mind immediately flashes back to the other night, quietly sitting with Karley on the sofa, eating toast.
“No, I’ll handle it.”
Karley is different. She doesn’t care for fancy dinners or over-the-top gestures. Simple things make her smile, and I plan to show her how grateful I am for what she’s doing for me. The money was easy to transfer, but making her happy is more important. Which is an unfamiliar feeling for me. In business, in relationships, even with family, I’ve always controlled my emotions, so this urge to care for Karley is strange. It’s not just because of the favor she’s doing for me, though that matters. It’s the way she carries so much without ever asking for help, like she’s afraid to need anyone. Maybe it’s guilt, or maybe it’s something else… but there’s a strong pull to take care of her that I can’t shake. I want to be the reason she feels like the world isn’t always taking from her.
“Book the Bellagio as the accommodation,” I instruct. Remembering the Fine Art Gallery they have there.
“Okay, anything else?”
I shake my head, stepping away from her desk. “Nothing for now, but I’ll call if I need anything else. Otherwise, I’ll see you in Vegas tomorrow.” Unease swirls in my chest, so much depends on this working for not only me but for Karley too.
“Yes, sir,” Cora calls back.
I walk out of my building and get into the car, making my way to buy another painting.
I approach Declan and Karley’s brown brick condo, already anticipating the inevitable brotherly warning from Declan, as if I haven’t heard it before. He’s going away to Florida to view the new house this weekend, so we didn’t have to tell him about Vegas. If he knew about our trip, he’d insist on coming along, or worse, try to talk Karley out of it.
“Hey, man,” I call out as he opens the door.
“Hi,” he replies, stepping aside to let me in.
His brow furrows as he looks me over. My outfit is a simple black t-shirt, blue jeans, and shoes. It doesn't scream,we’re going to Vegas to get married, but he’s definitely assessing me.
I step inside, and my eyes immediately dart to the black suitcase by the door before shifting back to him.
The temperature in the room drops when his icy eyes gaze at me.
“She said you two are going to live together?”
A lump forms in my throat, unprepared for this conversation, and so I say the first thing that pops into my head. “Yeah, we need to for a short while. She’ll be in one of the spare rooms. We’re grabbing the rest of her stuff this weekend.”
Declan runs his hand through his hair. “The more I think about it, the more I don't like this.”
“It’s only for a few weeks. After that, she’ll be free to move out into her own place,” I reassure him, even though I don’t have a specific end date.
