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He laughs softly. “Thank you for getting in the car, Nardi.”
“Don’t thank me. I didn’t do it for you.”
“I bet Josiah was excited.”
“Of course he was.” I pause. “How did you know Josiah’s obsessed with this brand of electric cars? And how did you know about my podcasts?”
“There’s this thing called social media where people share their favorite things with the entire world.”
“So you intentionally rented this car knowing I’d have to get in.”
“All is fair in love and war.”
My eyes narrow. “I won’t be surprised if you turn out to be a supervillain someday.”
He laughs again. “I’d rather be the hero. Supervillains don’t get the girl.”
“Not unless the girl is a supervillain herself.”
“Are you saying you’re willing to be bad for me, Nardi?” His voice is low and sultry.
Prickles of heat run up my arm. I change the subject. “Why are you giving me all this today?”
“You know why. I haven’t lied about my intentions for you and Josiah.”
“Yes, but whytoday?”
“Why not today?”
“Don’t answer my question with a question, Cullen.” I notice our apartment building up ahead. “What changed?”
“Nothing.”
I don’t buy it for a second. “Yesterday, you were standing in front of your entire team, smiling and talking about the future. Now you’re handing Cullen Tech over?”
“Technically, I’m handing majority shares back to Sullivan. You’ll be a silent partner until Josiah is of age. Sullivan has a contract of his own. I trust that he won’t destroy Cullen Tech and will hold it safely until Josiah is ready to take it back.”
“That’s a lot of trust in another human being.”
“Sullivan has a lot of money. It’s that I trust. Not him. Cullen Tech isn’t important enough for him to want it, but it’s got enough potential for him to nurture it.”
“Forget Cullen Tech. Why is there a marriage certificate?” I lift the paper and shake it in the air. Roger’s eyes dart to me for a second and return to the road.
“There are some things I want you and Josiah to have access to now and a trust fund won’t suffice.”
I pull my hand down and hiss into the phone, “If you’re so concerned with Josiah getting the rights of an heir, why don’t you marry my mother instead? She’s available and I bet she likes younger guys.”
“You knew my intention was to marry you, Nardi. I don’t understand why you seem so astounded. This is not our first time having this discussion.”
“And it’s not my first time telling you ‘never in a million years’.”
“Things change.”
“Not us,” I mutter. “Ihavenointentions of having a relationship with you.”
“Remind me of the reason again?”
“You are not my type.”