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In the faceof a ridiculous proposal, I did what any other woman would.
I laughed my ass off.
There was no way he was serious. Men didn’t justproposeto women out of nowhere. Marriages of convenience were only in books, and I was definitely not living in a book.
Between wiping the tears from my eyes, I said, “Good one.”
“I’m serious.”
“No, you’re not. First of all, you wouldn’t be getting anything out of this deal other than being married tome,and I assure you that while I’m a hilarious and entertaining companion—that’s not enough.”
“I have a reason.”
“Oh, really?” I shook my head to clear any remaining mirth. “I can only think ofone,and it’s not one I’m interested in marrying you for.”
“And what’s my reason?”
“Calvin. You two have a weird dick-measuring contest going on, and he just got promoted.”
His lips pursed. “It’s been years.”
“Has it? You started a healthcare company when you could have done anything else. And you’re climbing to the top of the food chain in the industry faster than anyone has ever seen before. If it were anyone else, I would think it was ambition, but this is how you two have always been. Enemies vying for the position at the top.”
“Is there anything I can say to change your mind?” He leaned forward, his eyes on me. I could have said yes, but I wasnotgetting played by the man again.
Gram would roll over in her grave.
“There is literally nothing.”
“Fine.” The words were low, hard. “You caught me.”
“Thank you for admitting the truth.”
A shadow crossed his face, one that cleared the second I saw it. As much as he wanted to pretend he had other reasons, one mention of Calvin took him to a dark place.
“So heisstill a pain in your ass.”
“Always,” he muttered. “He never lets go of anything, does he?”
“He absolutely does not. My lack of employment is the perfect example.”
“And aren’t you mad about that?”
“Of course I’m mad?—”
“And what better way to piss him off than to marry someone he hates?” He waved his hand as if it were that simple, and yet I could see his shoulders were still tense.
“I—why is this your first option?”
“Go big or go home. If I’m going to piss off Calvin, I want to make himmad.”
“Has he done something to you? Other than just being annoying.”
“He did something toyou.”
“That’s not a good enough reason for all of this. I’m not stupid.”
Levi let out a long breath. “Fine. If you must know ... He’s poaching customers.”