Page 32 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

My dad scoffed. “This has to be some sick joke.”

“No joke,” Brooks said calmly. “Harlow has made her decision. You need to respect it.”

My dad’s face turned beet red. “I don’t have to respect anything. You are a nobody. I don’t know how you weaseled yourway back into her life, but you weren’t good enough for her then, and you sure as hell aren’t good enough for her now.”

His face fell, and my heart shattered for him. My dad hit his target. Exactly like he did five years ago.

“You know what, Dad, I think it’s time you leave. This is his home. I won’t allow you to come here and disrespect him.”

My father curled his hands into fists. “If you think this is over, you can think again.”

With that, he stormed out the door, slamming it so hard I flinched.

I blew out a breath and tilted my head. “I can’t believe you just told him we are engaged.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “Neither can I.”

I stared at him, wondering if he had injured his head. “What in the ever-loving hell were you thinking?”

“Obviously, I wasn’t.”

I looked up at the ceiling, praying for patience. “Now, what are we supposed to do?”

He stuffed his hands in the front pocket of his jeans. “I guess we fake it till we make it.”

“Brilliant plan,” I said flatly. “And then what do you suggest?”

He lifted his shoulder and stared out the window. “We cross that bridge when we come to it.”

My mouth popped open. It felt like I was missing something here.

He stared at me, and I stared right back.

“Why would you want to help me?”

He started pacing back and forth. I silently watched him, giving my brain a minute to calm down. “Because I need a favor.”

I blinked. “What kind of favor?”

“I’ve been talking to an investor. I need to purchase some new equipment so I can compete for bigger projects. WhenPops retired, we advanced him some cash. The guy I’m talking to is old-school and very family-oriented. He will only invest in businesses with values that align with his.”

“How would this even work? Would we pretend to be madly in love, tell them we are getting married, and he just writes you a check?”

He shrugged. “Pretty much.”

I scoffed. “You can’t be serious. There is no way this would work.”

“Why not?”

I threw my hands up. “Because this is crazy. I just left a man at the altar a week ago. How are we supposed to convince everyone that I’m already planning another wedding?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do you want your house?”

I glared at him. “You know I do.”

It was the main reason why I came back to this town in the first place.

He let out an exasperated sigh. “Look, Harlow, I get it. This isn’t exactly ideal for either one of us. But you need something, and I need something. That’s all this is, plain and simple.”

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