Finally...My Forever - Kristi Pelton Page 0,3
flicking her hand at me. “Police. Whoever!”
Her comments brought a full-blown smile from me. “That’s fair. Duly noted.”
I pointed to my Tesla. Honestly, I was a bit sheepish about my luxury vehicle given she didn’t appear to even have a car. It didn’t seem to faze her though as she opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. Once inside, she buckled. “Tell me this catch that you speak of.”
As I put the car into reverse, I threw another sexy grin her way. “Well. Wait until I get up to speed so you won’t jump out.”
The hesitant sideways glance kept my smile in place. “Just spit it out, Ralph.”
“Ralph?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know your name. But there’s a Ralph Lauren box in the back seat. Seriously, in that suit, you’re sort of a walking advertisement for some ritzy company, that’s for sure.”
“It’s Austin. Don’t call me Ralph.”
“I’m glad you’re not Ralph. Ralph is rich, and rich people are assholes. Though this car, that suit, that face…the jury is still out. Go left here and get on the freeway.”
I had more money than she could ever imagine. No need for her to know that. “I’m just going to say it. So here goes. I’d like to hire you as my date for the wedding and the events leading up to the wedding. I’ll provide clothes, transportation and food. Plus, incredibly funny company, of course.” My smile broadened.
“I’m assuming you still haven’t told me the previously mentioned catch.”
“Oregon. It’s in Oregon.”
Her head snapped quickly in my direction. “The state?” she squealed, her voice raising multiple octaves.
I nodded, veering onto the freeway and navigating into traffic. “I mean, like you said, it’s not like you have a job.”
“Oh, a real jokester, eh?” She shook her head and I couldn’t tell how serious she was.
“I’ll reimburse you accordingly. You have my word.”
“If by accordingly you mean ten thousand dollars then I’m in,” she joked.
“Done.” I couldn’t have been more serious. I was relieved that this was as easy as it was.
“Ralph. Austin.”
“Freebie. Phoebe.”
“Just Phoebe. I go by Phoebe. And you can not be serious.”
After a slight wince, I replied. “It’s just Austin. I go by Austin,” I mimicked her. “And I am completely serious. I don’t goof around when it comes to money.”
Quietness settled between us for the first time since the Braums showdown. I thought the proposal was firm and things were a go but suddenly I wasn’t so sure. With her finger pointing, she navigated us to a part of town I wasn’t familiar with.
After we parked at an apartment complex, she unbuckled and turned sideways in her seat facing me. “How long are you talking? Like how long do you need me?”
“The wedding is in two weeks. I need to be there two days before and we can come home the day after. However, I believe we need to spend the next two weeks prepping a bit.”
“Prepping?”
“I want people there to think we are a couple.” Jesus, I reeked of desperation.
“You mean you don’t want them to know you paid me to come?” her brows arched high on her head.
With a crooked grin, I nodded once. Jeez I must look like I had the most miserable of lives.
“I trusted you to drive me home without murdering me. So, trust me?”
“I have no reason not to. Why?”
Unlocking her door, she started to get out. “Come with me.”
The thunder had grown angrier over the twenty-minute drive to her place. Flashes of lightning lit our path as we made our way to her apartment. Two flights up and a long, steady deep breath later and we were at the door.
“Brace yourself,” she said, opening the door.
“Phoebe!” a little girl screeched, barreling into Phoebe. Little arms wrapped around her thin thighs.
“Did you bring ice cream?” a pre-teenish boy asked from a doorway across the room. An overabundance of toys was scattered all over the floor. The TV played some princess sort of animated show, loudly. Popcorn popped from the other room.
A teenaged girl with a head full of red hair tied up in a bun walked into the room eye balling me. “You’re off early,” she said to Phoebe, without taking her eyes off of me.
Phoebe snagged the little girl up into her arms, squeezing her. “Who’s that?” she asked.
“This is my friend, Austin. You guys have about one minute to get this place picked up,” she threatened, doing a form of hopscotch over the toys as she hugged the boy but also shifted