Page 34 of An Improper Deal (Elliot & Annabelle 1)
I shake my head.
He hands my list to Craig. “You can create an addendum for the extra stuff on the list. And I want to stipulate that she is to wear only skirts or dresses during our marriage.”
My head snaps his way. He is going to put that in the contract?
Elliot shrugs. “You add stuff, I add stuff.”
“So if we go hiking or if I go work out, I’m supposed to wear skirts too?”
“Hmm.” He taps his lower lip a couple of times. “Yes.”
I glare at him.
“Do you actually go hiking? Or to a gym?”
My mouth purses. I don’t, since I’m not all that athletic, but still.
“Those activities are doable in skirts,” he says. “It isn’t like I said you have to wear stilettos the entire time.” Then he pulls out his phone and starts texting.
I can feel my face turn red. Embarrassed, I steal a quick look at our audience.
Craig is watching us with a bland expression. Maybe he’s calculating how much he can bill for every second we spend discussing our terms.
“Fine,” I say.
“Excellent.” The lawyer makes a few notes. “I’ll make the addendum, and you, Ms. Key—”
“Call me Annabelle,” I say.
“You can call her Gigi,” Elliot says at the same time without looking up from his phone.
Craig’s gaze swings back and forth between me and Elliot. For the first time, his smile slips a bit. But he recovers fast. “Well, you should review the newly revised document. If you like, a lawyer can be arranged.”
“Oh.” I frown. “Is it very long and complicated?” If it’s anything like the fine print on insurance policies, there is no way I can read it over myself and understand everything.
“Not at all. Two pages. No legalese. It says what you bring to the marriage is what you take with you, along with the other conditions you’ve discussed between yourselves. You can take your time to make sure nothing’s left out.”
“Then why do we need you?” I ask.
His mouth smiles. “Because it needs to be actionable in court should either of you breach the agreement. People should always enter into matrimony intending to make it last forever, but any kind of prenup should be written as though the marriage will end for sure.”
If only he knew how true the second part of his statement is… “If I want a lawyer, who do I contact?” I ask.
“There are plenty of excellent attorneys in the city. I’ll have my secretary give you a list.”
“I want somebody at your level,” I say. “I know not all lawyers are the same.”
This time the smile is genuine, and maybe a bit impressed. “Of course. I wouldn’t presume anything less for you.”
Elliot puts his phone away. “Are we done?”
“Yes. You can expect the new agreement by COB today. I’ll have it couriered to both of your places.”
I thank the lawyer, but Elliot merely puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to the elevator. The gesture is oddly protective, and his body heat pours over me like warm honey. I clench every muscle I have so as not to embarrass myself.
“If you need a lawyer…” he starts.
So he was payin
