Page 46

He rolls his eyes, and for the first time in my history with him, it doesn’t make me laugh. “Don’t, Len. Not you, of all people,” he says.
“Don’t what?”
He clamps his giant hand on my shoulder, holding me in place. “Jump to conclusions. It’s not what you think.”
I narrow my eyes. “Then choose your words more carefully. Because I don’t want to be outside of a bar this late, flirting with a married man.”
The hard lines of his chiseled jaw slacken. He cracks a smile. “We’re flirting?”
“Or talking, I mean,” I rush out, scrambling for words.Shit.I didn’t mean for that to slip out. My thoughts are ricocheting off the walls like a pinball machine. “I just know what it looks like. I don’t want people to get the wrong impression. All our friends think we secretly hook up. I’m pretty sure Alan’s convinced I’m in love with you. It’s why he dumped me. The very last thing I need is an angry, jilted wife pounding on my door, threatening to kick my ass over something that’s never existed between us.” As soon as the last words leave my lips, my open palm finds my forehead. I hang my head, looking down at my metaphorical word vomit spilled all over the ground.
“Alan dumped you because of me?” Dex asks.
I peek up. He’s also looking down, staring at my boots like he’s ashamed.
“No. I mean, yes, but there’s more to it than that. He just thought… He was feeling insecure, is all. Don’t read into it.”
Dex rolls his hand over my shoulder, then down my back, leaving a blazing trail of goose bumps wherever he touches. “I’m sorry. The whole point of resisting you was to not make your life so messy. But shit, since I’m screwing everything up for you anyway, might as well dive in.”
“Oh…I…”I can’t seem to form a lucid response.
“I’m not married. I’ve never been. My grandma left the business to my wife to force me to get married. It’s either find a wife or forfeit the company. So, I need to get married, have mywife assume the role of CEO, then she’ll hand everything right back to me after a year.”
“What?”I squall. “How? Are you even dating anybody?”
“It’s just paperwork, Lennox. Afterward, we’ll get amicably divorced, and everyone can move on with their lives. As of right now, I have someone lined up.”
“Oh. Who?” I do a terrible job biting back the jealousy in my voice.Dammit.“Never mind. Not my business,” I quickly backtrack. My head is spinning. There are too many competing thoughts and emotions flooding my mind. I’m going to drown in the confusion. How is Dex talking about all this so nonchalantly? He just lost Dottie. He should be in shambles. They were so close. And what the hell does he mean his grandma is forcing him to marry some woman—who I swear I don’t already resent—from beyond the grave?
Dex is still elaborating, but I’m only catching portions of his explanation. As I repeat the conversation in my mind, a new realization comes over me. Wait… Did Dex just say he’s been “resisting me?” What the hell does that mean? Are all these touches reckless for him, too?
“…she’s a Harvard grad, plenty of business experience, familiar with the social elitist circles, already lives in Miami. She checks all the boxes, apparently…”
“Right.” I try to refocus on the logistics of the conversation, but my mind wanders. If we’ve been feeling the same way for three years…What the hell, man?And then why is he telling me all of this now? Is it possible he’s been holding back his feelings, too?
I fixate on Dex’s moving lips, trying to concentrate on what he’s saying and stop wondering what kissing him would feel like.Focus, Lennox.I’m staring so intently, my eyes ache.Are my eyes dilated? They feel dilated.
“…but this is going to be the hardest year of my life, and I’d rather do it with a friend. I know it’s a big ask. But I will take good care of you every step of the way. I’ll do all the heavy lifting. You’ll just have to sit in the boss seat, sign paperwork, and attend a few events. Then, after a year, the nightmare will be over, and you’ll be financially set for life. I promise. Name your price.”
I stare at him, trying to fit the missing puzzle pieces together. “My price for what?”
His eyelids clamp shut, and he exhales like he’s exasperated with me. “How much to convince you to marry me? I just inheritedeverything, Len. When I tell you I don’t have limits, I mean it.”
I roll my eyes. “A million dollars,” I tease.
“How about twenty million?” he asks, holding my gaze. Not a hint of humor in his quick reply. Dex looks completely serious, and it all hits me at once…
Why he’s never really cared about the scuba shop bringing in money. The reason he doesn’t talk about his other job. How his monthly fish food costs more than what I make in a month. He’s been sharing his life with half-truthsfor years.
“What the actual fuck, Dex?”
“I can go higher. And I don’t mind because you might be the only woman I’ve met who actually deserves it.” He cradles my shoulders. “I typically don’t like to ask for help, but…”
“You need my help?” I ask, finishing his thought. He nods.
I wet my lips and consider my answer. I’m in debt. My credit sucks. I don’t have a home. Dad’s in financial ruin. My family needs help. My tooth is getting worse. One day, I’m sure my kids would appreciate a mom who isn’t such a hot mess. Money would definitely make things easier…
But I don’t think money would make me happier.