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“We’ve decided to stay together,” I share with a beaming smile. “We’re not pretending anymore.”
He sighs in relief, and a pleased look spreads across his face. “Thank god it worked.”
I tilt my head. “You were hoping we’d stay together?”
He nods. “I knew you and Cash would be in Vegas at the same time. During a call with our lawyers, your dad mentioned you were there for business.”
“And?” I ask with a curious stare.
“I sent Cash to take my place at the board meeting, hoping he’d run into you. There was no guarantee he would, but I coordinated the time of the meeting based on your agenda thatI got from Richard’s assistant to ensure you’d both end your day at the same time and be at the same hotel.”
“Why did you want us to meet up?”
“Because he’s been hung up on you since high school. He’s worn that bracelet for fourteen years, and his face lit up anytime anyone mentioned your name. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass for the two of you to reconnect.”
“Why not suggest a casual meetup in London like old friends?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I had a contingency plan to bring you two together after the acquisition if the Vegas meetup didn’t happen. I never expected you’d end up getting hitched and turn up to Aspen Grove as a married couple. I wasn’t lying about the complications of getting an annulment in the middle of the acquisition, but we would have managed.”
While I process his confession, he takes a drink of his latte before continuing. “My main priority was your and Cash’s happiness. Even when you were bickering, there was an undeniable spark between you two. You just needed a nudge in the right direction.”
“And encouraging us to stay married was considered anudge?” I ask with a raised brow.
“In my world, yes.”
I blink at him, stunned by this revelation. Harrison Stafford is the last person I’d have expected to play Cupid. Seems like, deep down, he’s still the teddy bear big brother he was back in high school.
I recline in my chair. “Damn, Harrison, I never would have pegged you for a matchmaker.”
“That title belongs to my mother,” he grumbles.
“Whatever you say.” I hide my knowing smile behind my cup. “You better watch out.”
“For what?”
“Cash told me all about how Johanna has meddled in your siblings’ relationships. Who’s to say she won’t have a hand in yours?”
“Who’s to say she didn’t have a hand inyours?” he challenges.
I point at him. “You just admitted that you practically orchestrated my run-in with Cash. Besides, she doesn’t know our marriage isn’t real.”
Even though Cash and I have decided to stay together, I’m not looking forward to coming clean to Johanna and Mike that our marriage was fake from the start.
“Nothing gets past my mom.Ever.” Harrison rolls his coffee cup between his palms. “Just because I was involved, doesn’t mean she didn’t play a role in it.”
I think back to Johanna’s comment about not leaving things up to chance. There’s no way she was talking about Cash and me. Is there?
I shake my head. “Regardless, you’re next.” I can’t help but taunt him.
He smirks, folding his arms across his chest. “If she can find someone who can tolerate a man who spends twenty hours a day running a multibillion-dollar company and is hardly ever home, I give her props.”
“Well, if we can’t find you a wife, maybe we can find you a new personal chef. Cash mentioned that yours is quitting. I spoke to Fallon the other day, the private chef who’s been cooking our meals, and she said she’s interested in applying for the position. She’s moving to New York, but I think she could be persuaded to travel between there and your penthouse at Stafford Holdings headquarters.”
“Thanks.” Harrison nods in appreciation. “Have Cash send her information to my assistant, and she’ll set up a phone interview.”
“Will do.”
We spend the next hour talking about life growing up in a small town, and by the time I remember to check my phone I see that it’s 9:05 a.m. “Oh, shoot, I’m late to meet Cash.”