Page 44 of Fake Married to the Grumps

“I’m glad.” Nelly hooks her hand in mine, and we leave the house together.

“I made reservations,” she tells me once I get into the driver’s seat of my Mercedes. “It's a steakhouse on Brighton Avenue. You’re gonna love their steak.”

“I’m sure I will.”

It’s a fifteen-minute drive to the restaurant, and our reservation is on the rooftop area where we have a perfect view of the night skies.

“What happens next?” Nelly asks after we enjoy the filet mignon served with their special Yorkshire pudding and a bowl of green salad.

The blend of cedar and grapes in my bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild adds a flare to the savory taste of the meat in my mouth. It makes the experience even more enjoyable.

“We move on with our expansion plans. Storms is desperate to ruin things for me, but he’s lost all his cards now. He’s broke, so he can’t afford to cause any more trouble.”

“So, you think that’s it? After trying so hard to take your company, he’ll just fall back into the shadows?”

“No,” I answer, moving my head from side to side. “He’s still up to something. We just need to progress with our expansion plans and secure the right deals and funding from the government. I can handle Joe Storms if he tries anything else.”

Nelly’s eyes soften when I reach across the table to touch her hand. “You don’t need to worry about anything.”

She seems thoughtful for a moment, but before she can ask anything, my phone beeps in my pocket.

“Excuse me.” I plaster the phone to my ear after seeing the call from Julia.

“I’m making dinner tonight, and it’s your favorite. You should come over and—”

“I’m kind of in the middle of something. Can’t it wait?”

“No, it can’t,” Julia answers in a stiff tone. “I told you that you’d owe me if I helped you, Ethan, and you agreed. I have to discuss something with you, and I want to do it at dinner tonight. I’m making your favorite pasta with seared scallops. I know how much you love those.”

“I told you I’m in the middle of something. Can’t we do this later?”

“You know, it’s clearly stated in the company’s rules that any shareholder can call for a re-vote twenty-four hours after the first vote was cast if he suspects any sort of foul play. How would you feel if I inspired someone else to call for a re-vote?”

“Don’t …” I interrupt, then recall I’m sitting with Nelly.

“We had a deal, Ethan. I help you with my grandfather, and you have dinner with me at the time of my choosing. You’ve always been a man of your word, so what would it be?”

I can almost sense her smiling as she speaks, and knowing Julia, she won’t back down till she gets what she wants.

I don’t want Nelly finding out about this deal either, so I better get it over with.

“Fine,” I answer through gritted teeth. Nelly’s staring at me with a worried look when I glance back at her, but it quickly fades away even before I say anything.

“I’m so sorry, but I have to go,” I mutter.

“Oh …”

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

She nods quickly. “It’s fine … I’ll just … I’ll be fine.”

I press a kiss to her cheeks and spare her one last remorseful glance before walking away and paying the bill.

Whatever Julia wants, I need to make sure this is the last time she makes me do her bidding.

Chapter 17

Nelly

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