“Hey.” I cut him off, flashing an unexpectedly warm smile. “That was then, okay? Before you started to turn your image around. Before you started showing up at your own galas and charity events. Before you got this amazing new girlfriend who’s going to make all your wishes come true.”
His veneer broke, and he offered me a soft smile. “Is that true?” he asked quietly. “Are you going to make all my wishes come true?”
My heart fluttered nervously, but I shook my head with a stern frown. “Unfortunately for you, that isn’t outlined in my contract. I did, however, think it prudent to throw in the occasional pep talk. For twenty thousand dollars, and all.”
He laughed aloud. “That’s quite some pep talk.”
“Just one of my gifts.” I took a huge bite of croissant and surveyed the grounds like a queen. “So what’s it going to be? Just the club today?”
“Yep—I’m having some clothes delivered for the occasion. We can change here and then drive to get there by eleven.”
“Clothes?” I repeated carefully. “Like…golf clothes?”
He paused. “Unless you’ve already got something you’d like to wear.”
“I’ve got an argyle onesie that I think would be appropriate.” When he said nothing, I flipped up the magazine and surveyed the photograph again with a frown. “Were you on vacation?”
“I’d closed a major deal. I was celebrating in Hawaii.”
“You look nice,” I said. “Very happy and carefree. Lots of women.”
“I was pretty drunk when that picture was taken. It was a private photo. I have no idea how the magazine even got it.”
“I’m sure somebody snapped a quick pic on their phone. Sold it for thousands.”
“I don’t want to be that man anymore, Rebecca. I’ve quit drinking and partying like that.”
“You don’t have to explain your lifestyle to me. That’s the best thing about a fake girlfriend. You can do whatever you want and I won’t be mad or judge your actions. See? You should have gotten me years ago.”
He chuckled, then looked off. “I really want to be a better man.”
“I’ve learned firsthand that no matter how many things I alter in my life, I’ll never be the perfect woman. All of us will make mistakes, give in to weaknesses, and stumble from time to time. We’re only human. But, with enough focus, we can really work hard to make improvements over time.”
“And that’s what I hope to do.”
“What’s truly important to you as a man? Simply ask yourself, what’s truly important to you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe work. I’d have to really think about that.”
“If nothing’s coming to you, don’t worry. Just keep thinking. I’ll ask you later. Just be completely honest.”
“Right off the bat, do you see any strengths in me?” he asked.
I peered at him for a moment, an
d then responded. “You don’t give up. You don’t crumble under pressure. Instead, you stay strong and climb the necessary obstacles on your path to achieve success.”
“Thank you, Rebecca.”
“How about me? Anything particular stick out?”
He smiled. “Absolutely. Your strengths are compassion, empathy, and a caring nature. I’ve seen you in action at the hospice center. The residents speak very highly of you. One time, you called off when I was there for a meeting. Mrs. Harkson refused to let anyone take care of her but you. She was screaming your name in the lobby and refused all care.”
“Thanks, Marcus for the sweet compliments. And I love Mrs. Harkson. She’s the nicest lady ever.”
I talked about my job and Marcus didn’t get annoyed like most guys did. It was refreshing. I told him all about my patients and how much I enjoyed my job. He thought it was sweet how I spent my own money to buy patients the extra stuff they wanted. I even bought Mrs. Zacks a cheeseburger meal for lunch. She said it was her biggest dream. So I went and got her “biggest dream.” Her eyes widened and I’d never seen somebody so happy. If I could make one person happy for just a moment, then that made me happy. We laughed and talked for hours.
Three hours and six combined coffees later, we were pulling into the club.