Page 23 of Married to Murder
“At the end of those three years I get four million dollars.” My face warmed. “Plus, of course, the whole three years I’m with Tanner, I’ll have his money at my disposal if needed.”
He still didn’t speak; he just stared at me looking worried.
“I can put some money into the shop and turn things around maybe.” I stopped talking, and then I said softly, “Say something, Gordon. I want you to be okay with this.”
He winced. “Well, shit, Seth, if you just wanted money to put into your business, I’d have been thrilled to help out.”
“I know. But I feel like I’ve taken enough from you.” I sighed. “And this wasn’t really about the money. It was about helping Tanner out. The money is just a bonus.”
He nodded slowly. “You must really,reallylike this guy.”
Heat crept up my neck to my cheeks. “There is something about him that I connected to right away.” I grimaced. “I mean, on the surface we’re very different people.”
“Me and my late wife were opposites.” He smiled wistfully. “But we were very happy together.” A grim cloud swept across his face. “Until Luke died. Then of course she just gave up.”
My heart ached witnessing his pain. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
“It’s not like they’re ever far away.”
“I’m sure.”
He straightened and forced a smile. “Well, you look happy. That’s a positive, right?”
“I’m scared.” I laughed roughly. “I mean, I guess I shouldn’t be. Nothing much has to change if I don’t want it to. We’re going to mostly live separate lives supposedly.”
“Separate lives. How does that work?”
“We’ll live in the same house. I might still stay at the shop a lot just for my own peace of mind. But technically I’ll be living with Tanner.” I held his gaze, wanting him to understand why I’d taken this chance. “We get along really well. I don’t know, there’s just something about him.”
“But it’s just for convenience for him, right? You were there and he needed you.”
I nodded. “Yes. Don’t worry. I won’t fall in love or anything stupid.”
“We can’t always control who we love, Seth.” His eyes were filled with concern.
I lifted one shoulder. “I’m not going to worry about it. I’m just letting the universe take me where it takes me.”
I stopped talking when the waitress brought our plates of food and set them down with a smile. Then she brought over our drinks too and wandered away.
“Have you met his family?”
“Yes.” I bit my lip. “They’re pretty dysfunctional.”
“So, who exactly is this mystery man?”
“He’s Tanner Trenton of Trenton’s Treats.” I watched as amazement spread across his features.
“Seriously?”
I laughed. “Yes.”
“The chocolate guy?”
“Yep.”
He widened his eyes. “I can’t imagine he’d have trouble finding someone to marry.”
“No. But he didn’t want to get married yet. He’s basically being forced into it. But he’s a good guy, and we mesh well. I just felt compelled to help him. Plus, I won’t have to worry about money ever again.”
