“I still don’t understand why you even considered being on the show,” said Bran. “Unless you’re not as opposed to marriage as you say you are.”
“Alice McGowen, the show’s producer, made it sound different. I told her I planned to be single for the rest of my life, and she bet me her matchmaker could find a woman who would change my mind. The show pays a huge donation to the charity of my choice, just for being on the show.” Cole counted it off on his fingers. “Ten women… ten television dates… a huge payment to Limitless and a ton of publicity for Phantom Enterprises.”
“At least we’ve already had some great publicity,” Jarrett said. “The stock prices took a leap after that show aired with your interview.”
Cole rolled his eyes. “That’s a small comfort.”
“It’s called Millionaire Matchup,” said Finn. “Just tell them you’re a billionaire, not a millionaire.”
In fact, their computer-media-information company, Phantom Enterprises, was a multi-billion-dollar business. Their gaming systems branch, alone, was worth more than a billion. But the four funneled a large part of their money into Limitless, their non-profit arm, which benefited children with disabilities.
“I imagine they’ve seen the public financials on Phantom Enterprises,” Cole said between gritted teeth.
“Why not just do the show?” asked Jarrett. “You might actually meet a woman and fall in love. If not, surely you can meet one you could stand living with for six months. Isn’t that how long you have to stay married to fulfill the contract?”
“I’m not sleeping with some woman I don’t even love, married or not. What if she got pregnant?”
A shiver went down his spine. He didn’t expand on his question, but his friends understood his fears. He had nightmares of losing a baby to an abortion over which he had no control. Rather than a futile search for a woman he could trust with absolute certainty, he’d chosen never to allow any woman to carry his child.
“She could have her own bedroom,” Bran suggested.
“The contract specifies that we have to share a bedroom after we get married.” Cole found himself gripping the edge of his desk. “And yes, I know I wouldn’t have to sleep with her. But I have to assume she’d be doing everything possible to make it happen while pointing out that we were legally married. I don’t want to depend on willpower, alone.”
“How would they know what happens in your own home?” asked Bran.
“They follow the marriage for six months.” Jarrett intercepted the question. “They have cameras in the home and catch the couple having fights or romantic moments. It makes for some great reality TV. Everyone wants to see how wealthy people live, and the drama just adds to the appeal. You’re lucky they don’t have cameras inside the bedroom.”
“That’s another reason I’m not doing the show,” Cole said. “I’m not giving up privacy in my own house.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have signed the contract before Garner looked it over,” said Finn.
“Thanks so much for stating the obvious.” Cole ladled on the sarcasm. “You’re about as helpful as Garner.”
“What’s his advice?” Bran asked.
“Garner says the contract is tight. Only Millionaire Matchup can cancel without a financial penalty. So he suggested I do something to make myself undesirable.” Cole gave a bitter laugh.
“Just wearing that Stetson might do the trick,” Finn teased.
Cole aimed a menacing glare at Finn. “But committing murder would be a sure thing.”
“Pregnant?”
Brooke winced at the shout in her ear, steeling herself for the rampage to come. Harper had inherited the family’s fierce Italian temper.
“I can’t believe this! You should’ve been more careful,” Harper ranted. “Who’s the father?”
It was Brooke’s turn to be angry. “Nathan, of course! You know I would never sleep around.”
Brooke walked to her office door and checked the empty hallway, before shutting it.
“Oh… you slept with him after he dumped you for Wendy?” Harper asked.
“The night before, when I had no idea what was coming.”
“Ewww! You didn’t tell me that. He’s even more of a cow turd than I thought.”
“I know you always hated Nathan. But there was a sweet side to him you never saw.”
“You always believe the best about people, Brooke. You’re just like Mom.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“I love Mom, but we both know she’d be in trouble if Dad weren’t such a bulldog. Hang on a second. I need to pull onto the highway…” Harper’s voice paused, and Brooke could hear the sound of her car’s blinker and the motor accelerating. “Okay, I’m back. So what are you going to do?”
“I guess I’m going to have a baby. Should be easy for me. After all, I’ve been counseling all these pregnant women at Hayward Home. I just need to listen to my own advice.”
“You’d better not tell Nathan right away. If he found out, he might appeal the divorce.”
“The divorce is final. I got the decree in the mail yesterday.”
“But Texas has a thirty-day waiting period before it’s really final. Aunt Patty told me all about it.”
Aunt Patty was the proverbial black sheep of their mother’s five sisters. She was on her fifth marriage. Or was it her sixth?
“Not us. We waived the waiting period in the divorce decree. Anyway, I would never take him back after what he did.” Just because she still loved him didn’t mean she was a dishrag.
