Page 29 of Billion Dollar Vow

“Yeah, I’m good too. I’m calling to let you know there’s been more inquiries about the property.”

My stomach drops, and I grip the phone tighter. “Oh, really?”

“Are you still interested in buying it?”

“Yes, of course.” I hadn’t expected this call so soon. “I’ll have the money soon.” Even as I make the promise, my mind runsthrough my lack of options. This house means everything to me, and I can’t let it slip away.

There’s a pause, and it makes my stomach uneasy.

“I can hold off for another week, but that’s it,” he finally says. I can hear the unspoken pressure behind his words.

“A week? Not the thirty days we discussed?” My voice comes out higher than I intended. My plan was based on that timeline. Selling my paintings should cover the amount I’m short.

“I’m sorry, but the offer is too good for the owners to turn down.”

“I’ll have the money.” I clench my jaw, determination covering the panic threatening to surface.Maybe I could get another job?

“This week?” he repeats, the words sounding more like a question than an answer, as if I could somehow push it off a little longer.

“Yes.”

“Okay, good,” he says, relief softening his voice. I can tell he wants this sale as much as I want the house, just for a different reason. “Call me when you’re ready to come in and make the offer.”

“I will.” I try to sound confident, but it comes out high, as if I’m trying to convince myself more than him.

“All right, have a nice weekend, Karley.”

“Bye.” I hang up with a shaky hand, staring at the phone. I have a week. I open my banking app hoping for a miracle, but the balance hasn’t changed. The bank won’t lend me the money I need. My freelance income is too inconsistent. And my credit score isn’t high enough for this type of loan. I don’t know what to do. Asking Declan is out of the question. He’ll insist on “fixing” everything, smothering me with his help while reminding me how I can’t manage on my own. I drop the phone on the coffee table and bury my face in my hands, feeling tears forming. But I refuse to let them fall. I can figure this out.

When I finally sit back up, I scroll through the TV until I spot something under “Continue Watching.” It’s the series I started with Oliver.

The guy who wants to marry me, and offered me money to do it. Could I ask him for enough to buy a house? No. That would be using him. But then again, isn’t his proposal a transaction? He gets the gallery, I get money.

A flicker of hope fills my chest. Maybe I could go through with it… marry him for a short time, get the house, and then move on. If I keep it transactional, I won’t grow feelings.

What other choice do I have right now?

I grab my phone again, find his number, and before I can talk myself out of it, I call.

He doesn’t answer, but I hear his smooth, raspy voicemail. I don’t leave a message. I hang up, my cheeks burning with embarrassment even though no one witnessed my moment of desperation, and decide to call Evelyn instead. She picks up after a few rings.

“Hey, it’s early,” she croaks.

“It’s ten.”

“And some people like to sleep in,” she groans. “What’s up?” she asks, sounding more awake now.

I take a deep breath, composing myself. Evelyn’s always been the impulsive one, the friend who bought a one-way ticket to New York after a bad break-up. Normally, I’m the cautious one who talks her down, but today, I need her crazy ideas, because I only have a week to find this money.

“I need help. The real estate company called about the house. They said someone else is interested, and I have a week to buy it.”

“And you had to tell them you couldn’t afford it.” Her tone is gentle and sympathetic.

“Well, not exactly...”

“What did you do?”

I consciously grimace as I confess. “Maybe I told a little white lie.”