I put my plate down and took a sip of my coffee. “It’s funny you should mention taking a vacation because I do have some time coming up. I was thinking about going away, preferably overseas. It’s not that I don’t enjoy visiting different parts of the United States, but I love soaking up other cultures.”
Crystal’s body seemed to tense up a bit. “Oh, um, what country did you have in mind?”
“I hadn’t thought of one yet. China and India were a lot of fun, but I was thinking maybe in Italy this time. I haven’t been there in years. If you think this tiramisu is good, then you have to try it in Italy. There are a few cafes that I can’t wait to visit again. Speaking of which, I’d love for you to join me. If you’re interested, of course. I know you mentioned how busy Annie—“
“How about Moldova?”
I wasn’t expecting her to interrupt me with such an odd suggestion, especially since I was talking about eating tiramisu in Italy. “Moldova? Well, I hear it’s a beautiful country. Have you been there before?”
Crystal put her plate down and drew in a deep breath. “Alright, here it goes. This is what I was texting about. Remember how I told you about my mother’s estate—all of the legal problems that I’ve been having getting it settled?”
“Of course. You mentioned getting an inheritance, but it’s been tied up with the lawyers.”
“My attorney called me this afternoon, right after I got home from our lunch. They finally got everything settled, but the stipulation is that I have to be married before I can receive the money.”
Now it was my turn to put my plate down. “Oh, shit! What does that have to do with Moldova, though?”
“That’s where my uncle-who left me this money-lived. I have to appear before a Moldovan judge with my husband, and once they see the marriage certificate, they’ll release the funds.” Crystal looked away for a moment before turning to face me. “And I can’t believe that I’m asking this of you… but would you be my fake…my fake husband? You know, play like we’re married.”
I tried to hide my shock by slowly setting my coffee mug on the table beside us. I didn’t want to give Crystal the wrong impression, and I wasn’t sure how my surprise expression would be interpreted. So, I took my time before answering. “I see now. Thisisa very unusual circumstance. I’ll have to admit, this is definitely unexpected.”
She cleared her throat and furrowed her brow as her hands began to shake. “Yes, and I feel awful even asking you to do something that is illegal. I’d much rather not have any inheritance at this point, but my finances say otherwise. If you don’t want to do it, I completely understand.”
Crystal stood and took a few steps away. “I’m sure I can find someone else to pretend to be my husband. I mean…you know… pay him, of course. I promise, Gavin. I promise…I’d…I’d pay with dollars.” She turned around and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around herself. “I can’t believe how embarrassing this is. I mean, you were the first one that came to mind. So, please don’t feel like you have to do this for me.” She started to shake all over. “If…if you came to me with something as crazy as this, I’d definitely be freaking out!”
I held up my hands and smiled. “Relax, Crystal. You have no reason to be upset or nervous about asking me to do this, alright?”
Now, Crystal was pacing back and forth and refused to look me in the eyes. “Oh, Gavin, this is all too much. Please just forget I mentioned it. If I can’t abide by my uncle’s wishes, then it wasn’t meant to be. My mind has been all scattered, and I’m not thinking straight. I even got Annie to go with me to my mother’s house to get clarity. That’s where I was when I got your text. So when I saw your name on the screen, I thought it was some kind of sign from my mother.”
I was aware that Crystal had made it a point not to go inside of that house after she had cleaned it out. And I knew she was struggling to come to terms with more than just her mom’s passing. “You went back to the house? That must have been so hard for you. I remember that it even upset you a little when we drove down that street when I was teaching you how to drive the Lamborghini.”
Crystal sniffed, bravely trying to hold back the tears. I walked over and wrapped my arms around her, desperately wanting to shield her from the pain. It wasn’t fair that she had to go through so many hoops just to collect some money that was rightfully hers.
She tugged at my hand and headed for the house. “Gavin, I feel dizzy. I think I need to go home. Please, just forget we even had this conversation. I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t feel like cooking dinner right now. This is just such a terrible mess.”
I pulled her close and chuckled, “I wouldn’t have been with you for this long if I thought that you were some criminal… silly.”
She turned around and buried her face in my chest, sobbing.
“I know, but we’re talking about convincing a judge that we’re husband and wife. We would have to make up a fake marriage certificate, and whatever other documents go with being married. God, I wouldn’t even know where to start with all of this stuff!”
“You have nothing to worry about, Crystal. I’d love to be your fake husband, and I’m sure that I can figure out how to create fake marriage documents. I work for the Truman’s, you know.”
Crystal pulled away while shaking her head. “Oh, God, no! I don’t want the Truman’s to know that we’re doing something illegal!”
“Are you kidding me? They know how to get around plenty of international laws. Besides, they’re practically family and love seeing us together.”
“And…and…I love all of them two. Are you sure, Gavin? You won’t regret this later if something goes wrong?”
“No regrets and nothing is going to go wrong.” I lifted her chin and kissed her softly. “Just give me two weeks to get everything that we need, and then we’ll leave for Moldova. I’ll take care of it, alright? Do you have a passport?”
Crystal nodded as tears streamed down her face.
“That will have to be fixed too. Your new name will be Crystal Tillery.”
“Crystal Ann Tillery...” she corrected me, with a shy smile, “and thank you, Gavin Tillery. I don’t know what else to say.”
I wrapped my arms around her yet again. “You don’t have to say anything, sweetie. I care so much about you, and it’s not that big of a deal. This stipulation has to do with an old school, barbaric law that should never have even existed. It’s ludicrous that you have to do this in the first place. Trust me; you’re going to be fine. Now, can we at least finish our dessert?”
