Cal’s nostrils flare. His fists ball up at his sides before he takes a deep breath and lets the anger melt off him. He turns his attention toward me.
“That is why my grandpa made that inheritance clause in the first place. He knew Declan wasn’t ready to become CEO and thought a family might soften him up. I mean, how can someone like him inspire the masses when he always seeks to destroy everyone around him?”
Declan’s jaw clenches. Cal raises an eyebrow in a silent taunt.
I point at Cal. “Quit acting like a child and use that big brain of yours to help us out of this mess.” Declan’s eyes are already focused on me as I turn toward him. “And you stop taking your anger out on everyone else. Your screwing up has nothing to do with Cal and everything to do with you.”
He only stares at me with that blank gaze I hate more than anything.
Cal scoffs. “Of course he fucked this up. His latest software update didn’t include a manual on how to be a decent human being.”
“You’re both hopeless,” I grumble under my breath as I grab my phone and dial Bethany’s number. It rings twice before going straight to voicemail.
I call again but this time the voicemail picks up right away. “Shit!”
“No answer?” Cal has the audacity to sound amused.
“What did you do?” I hiss in Declan’s direction.
Declan picks at a piece of invisible lint on the sleeve of his jacket as if this is the most boring conversation of his day. “She wasn’t cut out for the job.”
“And what would you like me to do with that information given the fact that we have a hundred people waiting to hear about your engagement to some mystery woman? I’m all ears.”
He stares at me with narrowed eyes, and I glare right back at him with my hands on my hips.
Cal makes a loud slurping sound as if to remind us of his presence. “I’m also interested in hearing how this will all pan out. Father will be just thrilled to hear about Declan’s failed engagement.”
Oh my God. While his father is unaware of Declan’s letter from Brady Kane detailing the requirements for his inheritance, he isn’t stupid. There’s a reason he is a successful businessman after all. I have no doubt if he catches the faintest hint that this engagement is false, he will go running to Brady’s lawyer. And if the lawyer believes him, Declan could lose everything.
Think, Iris. Think. I try Bethany’s number one more time, hoping a third time is a charm. The voicemail can be heard loud and clear through the tiny phone’s speaker.
Cal whistles before making an explosion noise. “That’s the sound of Declan’s future dying.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be? A seedy bar perhaps?” Declan snaps.
“Why pay for alcohol when I can get it for free on your dime?” Cal grins as he dangles his champagne flute in the air.
I try to tune them out as I consider my options.
What can you do? Quit once and for all?
No. I refuse to give up now. Not when I’m so close to helping Declan achieve his goal.
You could call the backup option you have, but Declan made her cry— “You know, Iris is single.” Cal’s smile turns sinister. “She could step into the role like a natural since no one knows you better than her.”
“No,” Declan snaps.
Wait.
Yes.
Me!
It’s not like I have much stopping me from stepping in as a substitute.
With no boyfriend to speak of or prior commitments, I could easily replace Bethany.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Well, if not me, then who? We are out of time and suitable fiancées.
I open my mouth, only to be interrupted by a squeal from Tati, Declan’s wedding planner. “There you are! I was wondering where the husband-to-be snuck off to.” Tati’s high-pitched voice echoes.
“You can’t pay for this kind of entertainment.” Cal drains my glass before leaning against the table with a smile.
“Where is the fiancée I’ve heard so little about?” Tati waves her clipboard like a magic wand.
I’m glad I withheld Bethany’s identity just in case something like this happened.
You can’t be seriously thinking about marrying him. You don’t even love him.
I don’t need to love him. It’s a contract, not a love match.
Declan cuts off my thoughts, “Beatr—”
“Her name is Tati, dear.” I press my hand against his chest. His body goes rigid, and I give him another pat in a way that says act naturally.
His dark brows pull together as he stares down at my hand like he wants to rip it off finger by finger. “What are you doing?” His words come out sharp enough to stab straight through my perfectly crafted exterior.
“Saving you the trouble of having to introduce me and explain our story.”
I shoot him the sweetest smile I can manage given the circumstance.
Are you really going to do this, Iris? the voice of reason speaks up.
I don’t see much of an option here.
This is marriage! It’s not something you can just back out of when you get scared.
I shut down every thought speaking out against my plan. It’s only a few years of my life.
What about having a child?!
Well, I always wanted to be a mother.
Yeah. In five years!
At least I can get started on my five-year plan a bit ahead of schedule.
I swallow the lump in my throat and turn my attention back toward Tati. I step out of Declan’s stiff embrace before grabbing his hand. The muscles underneath his suit bunch up, visibly tightening underneath the material of his jacket.
Great. We’ll have to work on his aversion to your touch later. “Tati, I wasn’t fully honest with you when we spoke over the phone.”
Her smile dims. “Oh.”
“I was a bit hesitant about introducing myself as anything but Declan’s assistant before meeting you in person. See, I’ve been working at the Kane Company for quite some time, and you know how easily gossip spreads.”
She bobs her head as she clutches her clipboard to her chest. “Of course. I get it.”
“I was so scared of what people would think about me dating my boss, but we can’t hide it anymore. We don’t want to hide it.” My voice hitches without me trying.
Declan’s only sign of distress is the way he blinks at me twice.
I’ve never seen him blink twice. Not when a deal he had been working on for two years blew up and sure as hell not when his grandfather died.
It makes me… unsettled.
I steel my spine and turn back toward Tati. “We’re ready to move forward with our future. There’s no reason to keep our love a secret anymore.”
Cal gives me two thumbs-up behind Tati’s back. Oscar-worthy he mouths before prompting Declan to smile with his two middle fingers.
Tati’s whole face lights up as she takes in our hands. “Wow! Tonight must be such a big deal for you both then, for multiple reasons.” Her eyes drop to my naked ring finger.
“Oh, right. The ring!” I swing my gaze toward Declan’s face.
The tic in his jaw is present for everyone to see.