You were actually married at the time we filed the claim. She actually had a medical need for the procedure. The claims were filed properly, albeit quickly. They paid the claim. It went through a little faster than usual, but it wasn’t fudged in any way. There’s nothing illegal about it.” He grinned. “They can try to deny it. I’d be happy to discuss it with them further.”
Grant sighed. Cam had probably pushed the insurance claim through extra fast in the hope that they’d come back and want to fight about it. He was probably bored. There hadn’t been as much legal work to do with Hot Cakes since the purchase had gone through.
Hell, it was very likely why Cam had come into Whitney’s office. He’d probably asked Piper where Grant was and as soon as she’d said he was in with Whitney, Cam’s eyes had probably lit up.
He was such an ass. But such a loyal, good-guy ass. He loved to fight, but he fought for the right things. And if he cared about you, he’d fight for you to the death.
That was the problem with a guy like Cam falling in love. Once he fell, he never got over it. It was very possible that he’d never get over Whitney and he’d die an old bachelor. A cantankerous old bachelor.
Okay, fine, so now the bills for Jocelyn’s gall bladder surgery were taken care of. “These are the divorce papers?” Grant asked, holding up the other envelope.
“Yep.” Cam gave him that thoughtful look again. “Do with them what you will.”
“What does that mean?”
“Once you both sign, the divorce will go through quickly. You don’t have any mutual assets and no one’s contesting anything. There’re no kids. I’ve made it very simple,” Cam said. “But, of course, you’re married until you both sign.”
Grant looked down at the envelope. Right. They had to actually sign the papers to end the marriage. Regardless of the hospital bills. “Is there a time limit on it?” Grant asked.
Cam shot Whitney a look. Grant looked at her too. She looked surprised, but she was pressing her lips together as if to keep from saying anything.
“Not really,” Cam said. “I’ll work it out whenever you sign. But the longer you play at husband and wife, the harder it might be to keep this simple.”
Grant wanted to protest the use of the word playing. Which was the first red flag.
The fact that he thought it’s already not simple was red flag number two.
The fact that he asked his next question was red flag number three.
“You think we might develop real feelings for each other if we keep this going?”
Cam looked at Whitney again. Then he nodded. “I think it’s possible. Yeah.”
The fact that Grant liked the idea that Jocelyn’s feelings could grow was red flag number four.
“Grant,” Cam said.
“Yeah?” He looked up at his friend.
“Are you going to sign those papers tonight?”
Grant already knew the answer to that question. “No.”
“I see.” Cam shifted on his chair, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs, pinning Grant with a direct look. “Why not?”
“I need to be sure she’ll be okay first.”
“Is she not feeling well?” Whitney asked. “Having trouble with her recovery?”
“She’s feeling great. Doctor said everything turned out perfectly.”
“Then why are you concerned?” Whitney asked.
“She needs to be okay financially,” Grant said. “That’s why we had to do this in the first place.” He looked at Cam. “Can you put something in the divorce papers that she gets part of my money?”
Cam’s eyebrows shot up. “Alimony?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve been married for five days.”
“So?”
“I’m not doing that, Grant,” Cam said firmly.
“You should if I want you to.”
“As your attorney, and even more as your friend, I am telling you that’s a bad idea,” Cam said. “I’m not doing it.”
“She needs to be taken care of,” Grant insisted.
His stomach was tightening, and his heart was pounding. He had no reason to keep Jocelyn married to him. He’d married her because she’d needed taking care of. She’d agreed to it because she’d needed taking care of. It was exactly what he taught other women not to do. He had to let her go, let her out of it. He couldn’t keep her legally or financially tied to him.
But he also couldn’t just turn her loose. She needed to be financially independent so she didn’t end up in another situation where she was putting off taking care of something because she didn’t have the money, jeopardizing her health or safety.
Grant felt his