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THIRTY
Gus sat on a stool next to Franky at the local sports bar, watching his father and brother throw darts. They were having lunch together, while the girls were at the salon, getting beautified for the big day.
It was hard to believe Sebastian was getting married in less than six hours. Gus could still remember the day his brother met Genevieve and how crazy he was about her from the start. It was like he knew from the moment he met her that she was the one.
Gus’s thoughts turned to Merritt. It was different with them. Their relationship mirrored his parents’ in so many ways—from dislike to friendship to love. It felt like that’s how it was supposed to be with them. He still couldn’t believe how love had snuck up on him like this. But it had. She was in his heart now. And he needed to know if he was in hers.
He was torn. Maybe he would tell her how he felt tonight after the wedding. Or perhaps it was best to keep his feelings to himself and see if hers would grow into more. If she didn’t already feel something for him, that is. But what if he told her and she didn’t feel the same? The good thing they had going would be ruined.
But that was just it … he wanted more than this. He wanted to be with her for real and for her to want the same.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Sebastian said as he took the empty barstool beside Gus.
“I was thinking about the day you met Genevieve.”
Sebastian shook his head. “That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done, saying I was from the PR department and asking you to pretend to be me.”
“It was hard to be you,” he admitted. “You’re so darn perfect, and I’m so far from it.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m not perfect. Lying about who I was should’ve convinced you of that.”
“But you had good reasons.”
“There is no reason good enough to lie to someone you love.”
Gus felt sick to his stomach. Sebastian was right. Lying to Genevieve had nearly backfired for him. He’d nearly lost her. And Gus lying to the family about his marriage to Merritt was just proof that he needed to grow up and make mature decisions.
He blew out a deep breath.
“What is it?” Sebastian asked.
“I have to tell you something.”
He glanced around at the others. Franky was talking with Dad and the grandfathers, none of them paying attention to him and Sebastian. He lowered his voice. “Merritt and I … we’re not really married.”
Sebastian’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“We’re married legally, but it’s not legit. It’s an arrangement.”
“What kind of arrangement?”
“I asked her to marry me to give me a more wholesome image so I could get back into the company, and I’m paying for her company’s global expansion.”
Sebastian’s mouth dropped open. “Gus, what the heck?”
“I know.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “But it’s gotten complicated.”
“It wasn’t complicated from the start?”
“Well, it was … awkward at first, but now …” He groaned and dropped his forehead to the counter.
“You’re in love with her.”
Gus lifted his head and looked over at Sebastian, who was smiling at him.
“I told you I’d never seen you like that with a girl before. I don’t care if it started as a lie, what matters is it’s real now. Am I right?”
“I love her. I’ve never felt this way before. It’s making me insane.”