That’s why I need Glen’s money now.
But I’m not going to tell this random stranger my life story. Best to keep details about Glen Lucas to a minimum.
“Listen, the whole thing between him and my mom was a big scandal, and if it came out, it would ruin his fancy life in Scottsdale. This inheritance is his way of paying to get rid of me so I don’t leak all his secrets to his wife and kids.”
Harrison’s lips push down in disapproval. “If he’s trying to get rid of you, why doesn’t he just give you the money instead of making you jump through all these marriage hoops?”
“He uses money and power to control people. I think it’s all just a game to him, a way to make it hard for me to get the money.”
“Hmm.” He nods, contemplating me. “That’s a lot of money just to mess with people for fun.”
“Well, he’s not a good person, and he won’t even miss the money.”
“What does he do for a living?”
“He owns an airline.”
His eyes go wide. “Like, a whole airline? Which one?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“One with a built-in TV screen or, like, the cheaper ones that you can only bring a small backpack on?”
“How is that information relevant?”
“I’m just trying to get a picture of how rich we’re talking.”
“No TV screen.” I gather my legal papers and shove them back inside my purse. “I’ll send you a copy of what you signed.”
“I don’t know. What’s the likelihood that good ol’ Glen will check up on our marriage every once in a while to make sure it’s real?”
“I would say the likelihood isn’t high.”
In my twenty-one years of life, Glen Lucas has never tried to contact me. I doubt he ever thought about me until last year, when I showed up at his office to confront him about casting me and my mom aside. Instead of meeting with me, I received a legal document in the mail a week later, detailing the conditions of the trust. In the letter that accompanied the trust, it was clear that this “inheritance” was buying my silence. So I doubt Glen will keep tabs on this marriage. As long as I don’t bother him or tell anyone I’m his illegitimate daughter, he won’t bother me.
Harrison shifts in his seat. “What happens in the next six years if you meet someone, fall in love, and want to get married?”
My jaw sets. “That won’t happen.”
“Itcouldhappen.”
“It won’t. I’m never getting married.” His lips curl, causing me to add a caveat. “At least not for love.”
He leans forward, suddenly too interested in my life. “Why would you never get married for love?”
“I just don’t believe in the fairy tale.”
“I think most married couples would say being married isn’t a fairy tale. I think they’d say it’s a lot of hard work—at least, that’s what my parents say.”
“If that’s true, why do people keep getting married?”
“Because they want to build a life with someone.”
“I think it’s because they’re hoping for the fairy-tale ending, and when it doesn’t come, they regret their choices. Divorce lawyers are the only real winners when it comes to marriage.”
Harrison laughs. “Wow, you are way more screwed up than I originally thought.”
I throw a napkin at him. I would make it a knife, but we don’t have time to stop at the ER for stitches. “That’s the problem with men. I make logical arguments about why marriage is dumb, and your first assumption is that I’m crazy.”
