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She nodded. “To her credit, Aunt Gloria stepped up and took me in. She was childless herself and married to her first husband.” A smile touched her lips. “Good old Uncle Hubert, he was a nice enough person but was never a match for her.”
Easing out a breath, she stared at the man seated across from her and wondered what insanity had possessed her to even think of embroiling him in her plans.
Leo Coleman was a self-made billionaire with looks to match. What she was planning to ask him was crazy, but she had no other choice.
“The favor I am going to ask of you, please feel free to say no. If you do, I promise that nothing will change between us. I will probably try and beg…”
“Sherrian.”
“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Okay, so here is the thing. I love this place. It is kind of my life and I want to do so much with it.I would like you to agree to enter into a fake marriage with me.” She rushed to add.
To his credit, he did not react – well, not much, except the slight jolting of his hand holding the glass of water. But inside he was a mass of nerves and shock, interspersed with hope.
Could this be an answer to his prayers?”
“It is the only way I am going to get the money from my aunt. She wants everything done by two weeks’ time, after which she is going on her cruise.
The reason I asked is because you were saying to me the last time that you were tired of women chasing after you with the hope of becoming Mrs. Leo Coleman.”
She spread her hands wide. “it would be beneficial to both of us, and we would not have to live together. We could do this and in a month or after I receive the money from my aunt, we could part ways.”
Not live together? He was damn well going to make sure that happens!
“Leo?”
Leo carefully set his glass down, his mind racing with the implications of Sherrian's proposal. The idea was wild, completely out of the blue, and yet, it held a certain appeal.
His thoughts quickly turned to the years of dodging persistent suitors and the endless stream of women hoping to stake a claim on his fortune. A fake marriage could be a viable solution, but was he ready to take such a drastic step?
"What you're suggesting is..., unconventional, to say the least," he said slowly, capturing her gaze with an intensity that belied his calm words.
"I know." She nodded, her eyes pleading for him to understand the desperation that had driven her to this point. "But it's the only way I can save this place. My aunt has always been astickler for tradition, and she will not release the funds unless she believes I'm settling down and building a future."
Leo leaned back in his chair, considering her words. The bakery was indeed Sherrian's heart and soul, and he had seen firsthand the passion she poured into every dish. The thought of her losing it all was unacceptable.
And if he could help her, while also gaining some respite from the constant romantic pursuits..., perhaps it wasn't such a crazy idea after all.
"Alright," he said finally, his voice steady. "I'll do it. But there will be conditions. We need to draw up a contract, lay out all the terms clearly. This must be a mutual agreement with no misunderstandings."
A look of profound relief washed over Sherrian's face, and she nodded eagerly. "Of course, whatever you need. Thank you, Leo. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Leo offered her a small smile, his mind already strategizing the next steps. "Let's meet tomorrow to discuss the details. For now, let us finish this meal and talk about happier things."
Sherrian's smile widened, and for the first time that evening, she looked genuinely hopeful. "Deal," she said, lifting her glass in a toast. "To new beginnings."
"To new beginnings," Leo echoed, clinking his glass against hers. As they resumed their meal, a new sense of camaraderie settled between them, binding them together in their shared resolve to face the challenges ahead.
His mind was on the fact that he was finally getting her to a place that offered him hope. The prospect of assisting Sherrian and witnessing her joy was a beacon amidst his otherwise tumultuous life.
It wasn't just about the convenience of a fake marriage or the reprieve from relentless suitors; it was about the subtle but profound connection he felt with Sherrian. He admired her tenacity, her unwavering dedication to her craft, and the warmth she exuded even in moments of uncertainty.
As they chatted and laughed, discussing their favorite recipes and childhood memories, Leo felt a strange sense of destiny. Perhaps this unorthodox arrangement would lead to something greater than either of them had anticipated. He looked at Sherrian, her face alight with excitement, and silently vowed to protect and cherish this newfound alliance.
“Wait!” She held up a hand suddenly, causing him to blink. “Are you seeing someone?”
His mind drifted to the woman he had left in bed just this morning.
“Not anymore.”