Page 42 of The Exception

Her expression was thoughtful, and then she nodded.

“I’m taking a huge risk,” I said. “If the truth of our arrangement ever came out, my board would likely fire me, and I’d lose control of the company.” Not to mention potentially facing charges for fraud. But I didn’t mention that. The less Lily knew about the additional shares, the better. I wanted to reassure her, but I also wanted to make it clear the stakes were high for both of us.

“I understand.” She turned to the next page, skimming the clause on fidelity. “Everything seems reasonable so far.”

“Good. And this is strictly a business agreement.”

“If you’re worried about me falling in love with you,” she chortled. “Don’t.”

Okay.I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or offended. But at least we were both on the same page. Her reasons for saying that didn’t matter. Or at least, they shouldn’t.

“I know you don’t do relationships,” she said, as if to soothe the sting of her earlier comment. “You’re married to your job. And after being the caretaker for the château for the past year, I get it. Even if I do still hope to one day get married for real.”

“Exactly,” I said, grateful that she understood me, perhaps more than anyone I’d ever dated. “Assuming all other terms are to your liking, I’d like for us to get married in LA on Wednesday.”

Her jaw dropped, and she gawked at me. “This coming Wednesday? As in, less than seventy-two hours?”

“Is that going to be a problem?”

She’d wanted to move fast, and I was completely on board. We needed to put things in place to protect the château’s interior and make it watertight. And if she was legally my wife, I could obtain the additional ten percent of the shares. There was no reason to wait.

“I don’t—” She swallowed hard. “Yes, this is a fake marriage, but shouldn’t we at least try to make it seem real? I need some time to find a dress. To tell Josephine. Then there’s the matter of our guests. A photographer.” The words were coming out faster and faster, like a Ferris wheel spinning off its axis.

“I’ve taken care of everything from the venue to the legalities.” Carson had already contacted the staff at the Huxley Grand LA. They were on standby to set up for an intimate and discreet wedding on my terrace, though I hadn’t told him who it was for. And Pierce was handling the legal side of things. “My stylist will have dresses for you to choose from. All you have to do is show up.”

I’d expected Liliana to be relieved or happy. Instead, she seemed almost disappointed. Or maybe she was trying to negotiate for more. Most people would.

“Wow. Okay.” She blinked rapidly. “I’m not opposed to the idea of leaving, but what am I going to tell Josephine about my sudden departure?” Lily asked. “We planned to spend the week here together. I was really looking forward to hanging out with her, and I feel like a shitty friend ditching her.”

I lifted a shoulder, admiring her loyalty to her friend even if it was contrary to my plans. “Tell her whatever you want. Or don’t tell her anything. For now, the fewer people who know, the better.”

“Yeah. I get that, but she’s my best friend. I can’t keep secrets from her.”

“Does she know how dire your financial situation is?”

She wouldn’t meet my gaze when she shook her head. “No.”

“Then you do keep secrets from her.”

She rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Graham. That makes me feel a hell of a lot better.”

I couldn’t imagine how much pressure Liliana had been under all these months. And she’d only had herself to rely on. But she’d trusted me with the truth of her situation. And now, she had me.

She’d always been loyal to me. A good assistant. We’d worked well together, especially navigating high-pressure situations. I could only hope those qualities would carry over to our marriage, even if it was all just for show.

Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I cared about her. You couldn’t spend a year in close quarters, working together day in and day out, and not care about someone.Yeah, but you don’t feel the same way about Carson that you do about Liliana.I pushed away that thought.

“I wasn’t trying to upset you,” I said. “Merely pointing out?—”

She held up a hand. “Stop. Just stop.”

I shut my mouth, knowing that I was only digging a deeper hole.

Finally, she said, “I know you want this done quickly, and so do I. But a public engagement and wedding would add legitimacy to our story.”

“Not necessarily. We can come up with some backstory about falling for each other while you worked for me but never acting on it. Then reconnecting and having a whirlwind romance.”

“A whirlwind romance?” She gaped at me. “Two words I never thought I’d hear from your mouth.”

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