“I know, I just…it makes sense. With both you and Emma there, things aren’t the same. You’d get great money and honestly, you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.”
That was the problem, I needed to worry. I was responsible not only for myself but all my mistakes, which unfortunately affected my parents. If I were being honest, Chicago was a place I loved, the place I grew up, but I wasn’t ready to go back. Too much awfulness still lingered there. When I returned, I would be strong and set this whole mess right.
Besides, it was looking like I’d be in New York for the next three years anyway—not a hard price to pay when it meant my father got a live-in nurse and my mother kept the house she loved.
“I want to hear about you. Have you set a date yet?” My tone was chipper even though everything else about me was exhausted.
Kate sighed and thankfully let me change the subject.
“Not yet. Adam’s getting kind of grouchy about it.”
“I bet. Can’t keep stringing the guy along, you know.”
She laughed. “Oh please. I’m in it for the long haul. I just don’t see the rush. Between the stuff with Tim and the custody battle for Simon, I’d like everything to die down. I want to get married when there are no dark clouds over us.”
Simon was Kate’s six-year-old cousin. With Tim in prison and Grace deciding that raising kids when marrying a man half her age didn’t sound fun anymore, Simon was left with his seventy-year-old grandparents who didn’t have the energy to raise a child.
“Didn’t Simon’s grandparents say they wouldn’t fight you for custody?”
“Yeah, and they aren’t, but it’s Tim who refuses to sign over his parental rights and it’s creating problems.” I could hear the exasperation in her voice. “We get to see him a lot, I just want this mess wrapped up so he can feel secure again—in a home, with me and Adam.”
“Makes sense. And you’re an amazing person, Kate. I know things will work out. I just want you to have something happy to look forward to and plan for.”
“I will. Just be ready, because the second we do set a wedding date you and Emma better be on a plane over here, Miss Maid of Honor.”
“Of course!”
“So, how are things with you? I haven’t seen you in months. Is your job going well?”
An uneasy laugh gurgled its way out. “The job is good.” I hated lying, which was why I tried never to do it. Technically, I had stated the truth, but omitted details.
I glanced at the medical records in the manila envelope on the seat next to me. This was yet another situation I had to keep from Kate. The fact didn’t sit well, but if anyone knew about this, it would be bad. Really, really bad and likely end before it began. Also, legally I couldn’t talk about it. I had already signed a contract about keeping my mouth shut.
“Is your dad doing okay?” Kate asked.
I hung my head a little. “Not really. I talked to him a couple days ago. He, ah…well, I don’t think he realized who I was.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Meg.”
“Yeah, me too.” I fought back the tears. “But the doctor thinks that we might be able to slow down the memory loss if we start treatment soon and up his home care.”
I wish I could quit my job and go back home, help my mother care for him, but then there would be no money coming in. Not the kind of money I was making at the hotel. And my father needed a medical professional, which was another thing I couldn’t afford.
But that was going to change soon.
There were worse things than being married to a billionaire hotel heir. A billionaire hotel heir who was sexy and smart and made my body hum. The only difficult part, the part that made my stomach pinch, was the secrecy. How could I lie to Kate, my parents, Emma and the rest?
Easy. For my dad I could do anything.
I was getting married. I tossed those words around in my mind and—nope. Couldn’t say it out loud. Not yet. I needed more time to let this sink in.
The car pulled up to the hotel.
“Hey, I just got to work, but I’ll call you tomorrow, Kate.”
“Okay. Love you, Meg. Call me anytime. For anything okay?”
“Okay. Love you too.”
I clicked the phone off, snatched up the manila folder, and thanked the driver. It was dark and the spring air was crisp. I stopped at the lobby desk. Olivia was filling in tonight. A shift I should be working.
“Hi, Olivia, I’m sorry about the short notice.”
“It’s no trouble.” Olivia was maybe a year younger than me and a part-timer. She filled in when people got sick or had appointments. She leaned over the desk. “I heard you’re getting married to John Preston Strauss. Congratulations!”
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
It was odd that this didn’t seem odd to her. Maybe it was just me. Maybe to the outside world this was normal. Of course, there were bound to be people thinking the worst. Sleeping my way to the top and all that. Funny thing, one night of “sleeping” and I found myself in a situation I never saw coming.
“Mr. Strauss actually called me himself. Said he’d be staying in the penthouse for a couple months and I’d be filling in for you for a while.”
“Oh, he did?”
She nodded spastically. “Which works out great for me because I could use the hours.”
“That’s good.” I smiled because the girl had no idea what was going on and was obviously excited about working. “Have a good evening.”
“Thanks, you too!”
I walked to the elevator, rode up, and headed to the penthouse. All day I had thought out this contract and what Preston wanted from me, but never once did I think of a counter stipulation of my own. Seeing Olivia working my shift slapped me with perspective. Three years was a long time of security, but I had to make sure I had something to go back to after my fake marriage to Preston Strauss ended.
Facing the penthouse door, I knocked. When no one answered, I pounded harder.
“Hello there.” I spun around to see Preston standing in the office doorway across the hall. Tension racked my body as I marched toward him.
“Tough day, sweetheart?” He grinned.
“Other than realizing you gave my job away?” I pointed the folder at him.
“Did not.” He snatched it out of my hand, turned and walked into the office flipping through it. I followed him.
“Then why did Olivia tell me you called her and said I’d be out for a while?”