heavy labor. I’m sure you have closer friends than some guy you serve in your bar to receive help from.”
This is where I need to use the bar as leverage. I have to make it sound appealing so he’ll bite. I know he’s not loaded with cash. That’s why living with him would be a win for both of us. I’d help out, and in return he’d end up with a pretty nice retirement gig.
I’m frantic to have something positive in my life. Just when there’s a glimmer of hope that something good comes my way, it’s taken from me. I need this man to want me, not just for my broken heart, but because I’m desperate to feel needed.
“I don’t have friends, Buck. I’ve kept to myself because of my past. There’s no room in my life for fake people I can’t trust. I’m not asking you for a loan, but I do need a favor that’ll require some serious consideration. You see, I don’t exactly have the right to sell the bar to just anyone. My father had his lawyer add a few contingencies to the deal when he gifted me the business.”
His brow furrows. “Don’t keep me guessing. I hate surprises.”
“Are you certain you’re interested in the bar?”
He claps his hands together. “Sure, if the offer is worth it.”
“My offer is going to freak you out, but just listen before you send me out the front door.”
“Okay. Give it to me straight. How much are you asking?”
“Do you promise not to hate me?” The whole time I wait for a response, I’m praying he doesn’t regret ever helping me in the first place. The bar isn’t what keeps me in this town. It’s always been about Nick. Without him, I’m afraid of what will come. I’m afraid of being alone, of being hopeless.
“You’re scaring me.”
I take a few deep breaths. “I can cook, clean, and manage the bills for your company, as well as the business end of the bar until you’re ready to take over. I’d like to stay on as an employee to keep the regulars happy. They confide in me, so I know it would be better if I stuck around, at least for a friendly face. A job is a job, and I’m going to need one.”
“What the hell are you getting at? You lost me at cooking and cleaning.”
“It’s a proposition.”
“Perry, I’m still not following.”
Here it goes. I’m going to put the idea in his head and let him run with it. I know the risks, and how ridiculous the idea is going to sound, but I’m willing to shame myself for the chance at solving my problem, even if I have to use this ridiculous plan to make it happen. Let’s face it, the man needs a woman around and I’m scared to be alone. I need a reason for him to want me, even if the pretenses don’t make a bit of sense. Give me a month and I’ll have him eating out of the palm of my hand. I’ll be everything he could ever want and then some. He’ll give me a purpose and keep Peter off my back. As much as I don’t want Nick leaving town, I also don’t want my ex sticking around because he thinks he has a chance rekindling our marriage. I need to ensure I’m off limits. “You’re going to have to marry me, Buck. It’s the only way my family will allow the business to be transferred to you. There’s no way around it. It’s a safeguard implemented by my family to ensure I couldn’t take off with the money and leave them again.”
“Marry you? Are you insane? I was just becoming okay with dating, but not this. No way.” He stands. “I don’t think…You can’t possibly… There’s no way in hell. You should probably go. I’ll find another business to invest in that doesn’t require such preposterous conditions.”
I follow him into the kitchen, where he takes in the clean space, while refusing to look at me. “I’m not asking you to sleep with me, Buck. I mean, I’d like it if we eventually got to that point, but there are no guarantees with any relationship. It’s a piece of paper and a safe place to lay my head at night. You’re lonely, you can’t deny that. Look
This is where I need to use the bar as leverage. I have to make it sound appealing so he’ll bite. I know he’s not loaded with cash. That’s why living with him would be a win for both of us. I’d help out, and in return he’d end up with a pretty nice retirement gig.
I’m frantic to have something positive in my life. Just when there’s a glimmer of hope that something good comes my way, it’s taken from me. I need this man to want me, not just for my broken heart, but because I’m desperate to feel needed.
“I don’t have friends, Buck. I’ve kept to myself because of my past. There’s no room in my life for fake people I can’t trust. I’m not asking you for a loan, but I do need a favor that’ll require some serious consideration. You see, I don’t exactly have the right to sell the bar to just anyone. My father had his lawyer add a few contingencies to the deal when he gifted me the business.”
His brow furrows. “Don’t keep me guessing. I hate surprises.”
“Are you certain you’re interested in the bar?”
He claps his hands together. “Sure, if the offer is worth it.”
“My offer is going to freak you out, but just listen before you send me out the front door.”
“Okay. Give it to me straight. How much are you asking?”
“Do you promise not to hate me?” The whole time I wait for a response, I’m praying he doesn’t regret ever helping me in the first place. The bar isn’t what keeps me in this town. It’s always been about Nick. Without him, I’m afraid of what will come. I’m afraid of being alone, of being hopeless.
“You’re scaring me.”
I take a few deep breaths. “I can cook, clean, and manage the bills for your company, as well as the business end of the bar until you’re ready to take over. I’d like to stay on as an employee to keep the regulars happy. They confide in me, so I know it would be better if I stuck around, at least for a friendly face. A job is a job, and I’m going to need one.”
“What the hell are you getting at? You lost me at cooking and cleaning.”
“It’s a proposition.”
“Perry, I’m still not following.”
Here it goes. I’m going to put the idea in his head and let him run with it. I know the risks, and how ridiculous the idea is going to sound, but I’m willing to shame myself for the chance at solving my problem, even if I have to use this ridiculous plan to make it happen. Let’s face it, the man needs a woman around and I’m scared to be alone. I need a reason for him to want me, even if the pretenses don’t make a bit of sense. Give me a month and I’ll have him eating out of the palm of my hand. I’ll be everything he could ever want and then some. He’ll give me a purpose and keep Peter off my back. As much as I don’t want Nick leaving town, I also don’t want my ex sticking around because he thinks he has a chance rekindling our marriage. I need to ensure I’m off limits. “You’re going to have to marry me, Buck. It’s the only way my family will allow the business to be transferred to you. There’s no way around it. It’s a safeguard implemented by my family to ensure I couldn’t take off with the money and leave them again.”
“Marry you? Are you insane? I was just becoming okay with dating, but not this. No way.” He stands. “I don’t think…You can’t possibly… There’s no way in hell. You should probably go. I’ll find another business to invest in that doesn’t require such preposterous conditions.”
I follow him into the kitchen, where he takes in the clean space, while refusing to look at me. “I’m not asking you to sleep with me, Buck. I mean, I’d like it if we eventually got to that point, but there are no guarantees with any relationship. It’s a piece of paper and a safe place to lay my head at night. You’re lonely, you can’t deny that. Look
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