Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
I take the couch opposite to hers and watch as she gingerly sips at her drink.
Then she takes a longer drink, she catches me watching her, instantly and surprisingly adorably, looks shy. She puts her drink down on the coffee table and straightens her spine. “Right,” she decides firmly. “Back to business. You asked me earlier why I came here. I came because you’re right. The charity is struggling massively, and we’ve just been turned down for some government funding that would have made a big difference. I would do anything to keep the charity going. The young people we’re helping don’t need another slap in the face; they don’t need to think that one more person who they’ve come to trust has abandoned them. So that’s why I’m here. I’m here to hear you out and consider your offer.”
“Good,” I say. “I really do believe we can help each other, Ashley. So here’s my offer. If you agree to this, you get one hundred thousand dollars right there and then. You’ll receive another two hundred and fifty thousand the day after the wedding. And you’ll receive one percent of the monthly profits. Obviously, that can fluctuate, but as a rough guide, we made just short of an eighty million dollar profit last year. So you’d be looking at approximately sixty five thousand dollars per month.”
“Wow! You have no idea what a difference that would make,” Ashley exclaims.
“So you’ll do it then?”
“Before I answer that question, I need to ask you something. And I want you to be honest.”
“Of course,” I say. “Naturally, I don’t expect you just to take my word for this. We’ll have lawyers draw up a formal agreement, and I’ll allow your accountant to see the books and everything.”
She smiles at me and shakes her head. “That’s not what I meant. The money your company makes, I would trust that you wouldn’t try to rip off a charity.”
“That’s something I would never do. For a monkey in a suit, I’m actually pretty honest.”
She smiles and blushes again then she turns serious, although her cheeks only get redder. “What I want to ask you is a little more personal. Finn, do you actually want to marry me?” She asks.
“No,” I say immediately. And it’s the truth.
“Why not?”
I hesitate. “You sure you want to hear this?”
She nods. “Absolutely, be as blunt as possible.”
“Okay, you’ve asked me to be honest, so I am going to be. You’re not my type… at all. You’re too little for one thing. I’ve never ever been with a woman who was as small as you, and I think I’d be afraid I’d hurt you. Plus, your hair is way too short and your dress sense is… well, it’s almost like you’re going out of your way to repel people. I’ve never really considered marriage, but if I was going to get married, it would be to someone who wanted to make a home, not rush off to her office before me.” I realize I have probably said too much and I rein myself in before I can say anymore. “I guess that’s not what you wanted to hear, but you did ask for brutal honesty.”
Ashley laughs softly. “I definitely could have done without the list of my faults as you perceive them, but that’s actually exactly what I wanted to hear.” She smiles at my confused expression. “You’re the one who told me to take the emotions out of this, Finn. I just wanted to make sure we’re both on the same page, that you’re not secretly looking for this to turn into anything.”
“Absolutely not,” I admit quickly. This was easier than I thought it would be. “And in the interest of equality, why don’t you tell me all of the reasons why you wouldn’t want to marry me. Assuming there are any of course.” I wink at the last part.
Ashley rolls her eyes. “Okay, but remember you asked for this.”
I nod. Her insults would be water off a duck’s back and it would be good to get it all out in the open.
“Well firstly, you’re rude and arrogant, and I can’t stand that in a person. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, and you have no idea of the difficulties facing people who weren’t so lucky. You’re basically an entitled brat, and the one time you do decide you’re going to do something for a charity, it’s not about the charity, it’s about you getting what you want. If I ever choose to get married, it will be to a man who cares about more than just himself.”
I raise my brows at this assessment.
“Oh,” she adds almost like an afterthought. “And you’re far too concerned about material things, and what you look like. Although I suppose that comes with the territory of being a pretty boy.”