Page 80 of Reckless Chance

I see it when it dawns on Lowri.

“Now I understand. That’s why you hired me to represent the Athena and insisted I stay here. You didn’t specifically want me for the job. And the only reason you agreed to my request for monogamy was to keep me in your bed to satisfy the requirement to live together.”

“Don’t go there. That’s not what happened. I love having you between the sheets with me. Our chemistry is off the charts. You’re a great lawyer. We’ve made a fantastic team. Why wouldn’t I want us to work and play together?”

“I don’t know that I believe you. Regardless, you should have told me.”

“I know. I was afraid of losing everything. Then, after I’d waited to tell you, I was worried you’d think I was manipulating you.”

“You were.”

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I’ve recently seen the havoc that keeping secrets can cause. I don’t want that in either of our lives. I promise to be completely open with you going forward. Can you forgive me? Will you stay?”

Silence looms between us for several minutes. I’m staring at her face but can’t read her thoughts.

She finally says, “How can I be angry? It’s a fake marriage. I’m actually somewhat amused at your predicament.”

I close my eyes, slowly letting out the breath I’ve been holding as the tension releases from my neck and shoulders.

“That’s a relief. Thank you.”

“No problem. I’ll stay, but you need to compensate me.”

I bite my lip to remain calm. “Exactly what do you have in mind?”

“My time is valuable, and I’m doing you the favor of a lifetime. Decide what it’s worth to you and make me a proposal. I’m flexible—money, ownership interest, property, or a combination. Feel free to be creative. I’m going to take a shower. You can let me know what you’ve decided when I’m done.”

Damn. Damn. Damn.

I didn’t think Lowri would be after my money. That’s not who I thought she was.

I’m so screwed. She knows what the Athena is worth to me.Everything. Does she expect half?

I’d call Evan for advice, but I’m embarrassed to tell him how royally I’ve fucked up my life.

Now I have about twenty minutes to come up with a proposal to save my future.

43

LOWRI

Ihurry to the bathroom before Sean sees how devastated I am. Silly me hoped Sean was delaying the annulment because he was falling for me. But no, he was manipulating me for his own benefit. Rather than trust me, he hid his secret. We aren’t the team I thought we were. Instead, I’m being held hostage in a marriage that never should have happened.

Turning on music and the shower, I step under the too-hot water, wanting to feel a different pain than the one that’s breaking my heart into tiny pieces.

I knew better than to let my walls down and dream I might have found what Cassie has with Evan. Under the rainfall showerhead, my tears fall freely and disappear down the drain with the cleansing flow of water.

When I arrived here, I wondered if there would be magical moments, mysterious men, or more mayhem. I never imagined there would be all three, and they would lead to heartbreak.

I let myself cry through three songs about love gone wrong. Apropos.

Pull it together. It’s going to be okay. I’ll leave Las Vegas in the same situation as when I arrived. Everything that happened here was always meant to be temporary. How can I complain?

I have learned a valuable lesson. Never again will anyone talk me into mixing business with pleasure. It hurts too much.

So much for pulling it together. I’m not okay.

I cry ugly tears, knowing the noise of the shower and cranked-up music will cover my sobbing. Sinking to the floor of the shower and hugging my knees close to my chest, the tears start to subside, but my body is shaking.