Another Mazzy Monday Read Online Free PDF Page B

living there. And we’ll stay at my family’s lake house. It’s not too far from Old Town. That way your sister can visit whenever she wants to.”
    I nod. I still don’t think she’ll be thrilled, but we both knew the time would eventually come when we’d have to be apart.
    “I’ll have George cut you both checks. I’m giving you twenty-five percent of the payment upfront and then twenty-five percent at the end of every month until the election. I’ll give your sister half now and half after the election. Do you think twenty thousand will be enough to cover the expenses while you’re gone?”
    My eyes grow wide again. Drew is probably thinking that I have some kind of strange eye deformity or something, but I’m just shocked at the large amounts of money he seems to be willing to throw around without a second thought. “That should cover her expenses.”
    “George also has some paperwork for you to sign. A contract and non-disclosure agreement.”
    “Okay,” I agree.
    “Don’t forget the ring.” Drew points to the ring box on his desk.
    I always imagined what it would be like when a man asked me to marry him. I had visions of rose petals and fragrant candles completely filling our bedroom. He’d get down on one knee and tell me that I’m the only woman he’d ever want. The only woman he’d ever need. He’d ask me to marry him then wait hopefully for my response. And when I tell him that I accept his proposal he’d slip the ring on my finger and tell me how much he loves me. Then he’d kiss me. A deep, passionate kiss. And he’d whisper in my ear how much he loves me and always will.
    As I take the ring box from the desk I can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. I’m going to be engaged to a man I barely know and he didn’t even ask me to marry him.
    There’s absolutely nothing romantic about his deal.
    It’s a business arrangement , I remind myself. And it’s not like I have to marry him. We’re just going pretend to be engaged for two months until he can win the election. How hard can that be?
    I place the ring on my finger and slip the velvet box into my bag.
    “George will help you with all of the details. I’ll tell him that we’ll be staying at the lake house until the election. Let him know if you need help packing. He’ll send a car to get you whenever you’re ready to move in.”
    “Thanks.” I still feel a little dizzy and I don’t think the enormity of the agreement I’ve just made has sunk in yet.
    ***
    “You’re going to do what?” Suzie practically screams at me.
    While I was at the interview she spent the entire morning baking cinnamon sugar cookies and two cherry pies. There’s little doubt she’s been “testing” the cookies because she’s on a major sugar high.
    “Please sit down so we can have a rational discussion about this.”
    She throws her hands up in the air instead. “There is absolutely nothing rational about pretending to be Drew Graham’s fiancée.”
    When she finally notices the diamond ring on my finger she grabs my hand and pulls it closer to her face so she can inspect the ring. “I guess this means you’ve already said yes.”
    Suzie looks like she may start to cry. “We won’t be working together anymore. You’ll probably have to do all kinds of political events, fund raisers and stuff, and I’ll be alone.”
    When she snivels I feel like she’s just stabbed me in the heart. I knew this part would be hard, but I didn’t realize how hard. I remind myself that the sacrifice will be for the greater good. The money will help us build our dream.
    I remove the two checks from my bag and hand her the one made out to her. Her jaw drops so far I think it might hit the floor. “What is this ten thousand dollar check for?”
    “Here’s the thing. In order for the whole fiancée thing to seem real I’m going to have to live with Drew until the election. So this payment is for rent and utilities while I’m staying with him. And