Page 3 of Never Have We Ever
And I might smack you.“So why do you want to marry me if you already have girlfriends?”
“Ah, I may have girlfriends, but they do not mean much to me. I have never met a woman I think I want to marry, and I am the only child in my family. I must get married and have children. The decision between a woman who is a good wife and mother and someonewho is fun to be with right now… since I cannot find the former on my own, I agreed to leave it to my family. You were the first one my mother presented to me that I found favorable.”
The first one? Were there other considerations before Valeska? “I’m flattered, I suppose. You wouldn’t even mind if I had a boyfriend?”
“If you said that you had a boyfriend while I had a girlfriend… that wouldbe even, yes? The marriage could be for our families’ mutual benefit while we pursued our heart’s desires in private. But if you do not intend to do such a thing, then neither will I. When I said I was waiting for your response to that question to decide what to do with my girlfriend, I meant that I was deciding between breaking up with her or not. It is simple.”
“I…”
André lifted his recentlyfilled wineglass. “Let us propose to enter a grace period for two years. Only you and me in the marriage. Then we can revisit our desires.”
The only reason Valeska readily agreed to the toast was because of the way he saiddesires.What woman wouldn’t slam her wineglass against his and drink quickly enough to wash away the dirty thoughts now swimming in her head? A grace period. Having AndréDubois not only as her lawfully wedded husband and all of the benefits that entailed, but having himexclusively.For at least two years.
Maybe she would think differently when the two years were over, but for now, her heart thumped at the thought of marrying this man within a year’s time.
By the time Marlene returned, the couple had agreed to announce the engagement to the press. Valeska returnedto her hotel room with a French peck to her cheek and a promise to meet again in two days’ time to go over more details with their families.
All she could think about was that silly little kiss to her cheek – and what dress she would wear the day she began her grace period with André Dubois.
That was more exciting than the wedding itself.
