Page 16 of Who Needs a Billionaire

It was his turn to be quiet.

“You don’t think we’ll spend the year ripping each other’s heads off?” she asked. “We don’t exactly get along, if you hadn’t noticed.”

“I know, but maybe we can call a truce.”

She laughed loudly at that. “That doesn’t seem likely.”

“It’s the only way to get to the end the year with exactly what we want—me with a place in my family’s company and you with the hottest products out there.”

She felt disappointed in herself for actually considering this, but getting the money for her business was more than a little tempting.

“That’s what I want,” he said. “What about you?”

“Do you have a lawyer?”

“I know a guy.”

“And we can meet with him and discuss terms before I decide?”

“Absolutely.” There was obvious excitement in his voice.

“I’m not saying this is happening. I’m saying I want to talk.”

“Duly noted.”

“I must be out of my mind.” She shook her head.

“So we do have something in common.”

Merritt felt oddly calm as she sat in the office of Rex Redman, well-known attorney to the stars, and listened to Gus tell this stranger that he wanted to marry her on paper only. Rex sat at his desk with a legal pad before him, scribbling notes as Gus explained how they were looking at this as a business agreement and needed a contract spelling out all the terms.

The man didn’t bat an eyelash. Merritt was sure he’d heard his share of strange requests for legal representation in Hollywood. Their little fake marriage was probably not surprising to him in the least.

Merritt glanced around the office while they talked. The wall behind Rex was plastered with credentials and accolades, so while he reminded her a little of a slimy lawyer on a television show, she didn’t doubt that he knew what he was doing and was successful in his field.

“Let’s go over all the specificities,” Rex said as he looked between her and Gus. “You both agree this will be a legal marriage, lasting a duration of one year.”

“Yes,” they both said.

“Will you live together or separately?”

“Separate,” Merritt said at the same time Gus said, “Together.”

Her eyes shot to his. “You expect us to live together?”

“That’s what married people do.” He looked at her searchingly.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t want to live with you.”

“The house is big. We won’t even have to see each other.”

“What house?” she asked.

“My family’s home in Malibu. It’s up on the canyon near Adelia’s.”

“If you have a house in Malibu, why are you living with Adelia?”

“Like I said, the house is big. It’s lonely there.”

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