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I don’t reply to that and instead look at John to see what his view is.
But with a shrug, he nods at Steve. “I think he’s right. I mean, big respect to you for opening yourself up like that, but you did put her on the spot.”
“That wasn’t my intention,” I counter.
“No, we know that,” Steve jumps in. “But she’d have to be all sorts of callous to just dismiss you after you told her your circumstances. She was playing for time.”
But I don’t want to believe that. Not only because Emma Carter might be my saving grace, but also because I saw herexpression. She didn’t come across as someone who was trying to fob me off. I’ve seen people do that. I know what it looks like. Instead, I saw genuine empathy for my plight and a woman who looked like she was actually considering her options.
“I suppose what we’re trying to say, Ryan,” Steve says, “is don’t get your hopes up.”
“Yes.” John nods. “And maybe figure out who else you can ask. I’d love to help you, man, but you know way more women than me.” He smiles.
I look from John to Steve. “Thing is, most of the girls I know aren’t looking for commitment. And then there’s the fact that I barely know them.”
“You barely know Emma,” John counters.
“No, but you do. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have tried so hard to get in to see her. I know you, John. You’re a good judge of character.”
John heaves a sigh but has no rebuttal to my statement. Which is a good thing because we both know I’m right.
Sooner or later, the conversation turns to a bunch of other things, and later, we call it a night and head our separate ways.
I’m just getting back to the mansion when my phone rings. It’s Phil, and I know why he’s calling.
“Hey,” I say, still lingering around the huge entrance hall before I head upstairs to bed. “Have you figured a way out of this that doesn’t involve me getting married?”
“Sorry, man. That’s not why I’m calling. Well, it is, but more to find out if you’ve had some time to think about what I said.”
“I have a list of women in my phone I could call,” I say sarcastically, “but I don’t think you’d like any of them.”
“No. Especially if any of them are in the pictures that I’m always trying to pay photographers off to lose,” he quips back.
“There is one other option,” I say. “It’s a long shot, but I’m working on it.”
“Shoot.”
“I’m seeing a physiotherapist down here. I went to school with her. She works with a lot of amateur athletes, and she has a good name in the town.”
“Okay,” Phil says, suddenly sounding interested.
“I told her the situation earlier today. I told her the marriage would only be for appearances and that it would be over pretty quick. That’s right, isn’t it?”
“Yep,” Phil says. “So? What did she say?”
“She’s thinking about it.”
“That’s great, man,” Phil says excitedly. “She’s exactly what we need. Stable, employed, a healthcare professional. I mean, she ticks all the boxes. The media will eat her up.”
“If she says yes,” I add.
“Don’t think so negatively, Ryan. She’s thinking about it, right? That’s got to be a good thing. Keep me updated,” Phil says. “I gotta go.”
“Sure,” I reply before hanging up the phone.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” a voice from above me bellows across the hall.
Spinning on my heels, I look up and see Thomas, his face like thunder, glaring down at me from the top of the stairs. As I watch him storming down them, I curse to myself as I realize that he’s just heard that whole conversation.